84 South Bay Accent
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Palm Springs Modernism Week
this year. “The tours and lectures are
accessible to all levels of interest,”
she says.
“One of my favorite events is at
Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms estate, an
E. Stewart Williams-designed home.
It’s a terrific party house. You can really
feel Sinatra’s vibe—it just oozes
cool,” says Vossler Smith, noting it
always sells out early.
So, too, does the entire week of
tours and showings. If planning a
visit, we suggest getting your tickets
a year in advance—the demand
is that high.
Modernism Week, a nonprofit
organization, uses its revenues to
provide scholarships to local high
schoolers pursuing the fields of design
and architecture. It also acts as
a platform for neighborhood organi-
With one of the largest concentrations
of midcentury modern architecture
in the world, Palm Springs
celebrates annually with Modernism
Week. This year, it runs from
February 15 to 25, featuring architectural
tours, an educational film
and lecture series, cocktail parties
and beyond—350 separate events,
to be exact.
“Our mission is to celebrate our
midcentury modern design, architecture,
art, fashion and culture, as
represented in Palm Springs” says
Lisa Vossler Smith, executive director
of Modernism Week. What started
as a three-day event has grown
from a few thousand attendees to
the more than 100,000 expected
zations to fundraise for preservation
and beautification projects through
tour ticket sales, and for the promotion
of sustainable architectural
practices inspired by modernism
throughout California.
“Part of the reason it’s so popular
is the Palm Springs lifestyle,”
Vossler Smith adds. “Picture yourself
poolside, martini in hand, surrounded
by midcentury design. It’s
an authentic vibe that people want
to take home with them.”
Also popular is the PS Mod Squad
(psmodsquad.com) architecture tour
where up to five people can form a
group and ride together with a guide.
Informative tours are 90 minutes
long and guests can select from
three different categories.
For more information and tickets,
visit modernismweek.com.
—JULIE FADDA POWERS
EDRIS HOUSE,
PALM SPRINGS
Sign up early for exciting events that include a tour of Frank Sinatra’s estate
