Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life
As part of the Miele Chino Canyon Project, architect Lance O’Donnell created two new houses – one, an original design, and the other, pictured, based on the original plans of an unbuilt residence by Arizona modernist Al Beadle.
(Image credit: Jake Holt)

When Arthur Elrod selected John Lautner to design a house for him in Palm Springs in 1969, the interior designer had a simple set of instructions: ‘Give me what you think I should have on this lot,’ he told the architect. Lautner designed a four-bedroom, 8,801 sq ft home perched on a Palm Springs hillside, its open air, circular living room ideal for entertaining, and even for filming movies — a scene from the 1971 James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever was shot there.

On 17 February, Lautner, who also designed the Bob Hope house in Palm Springs, was honoured as the 2017 Palm Springs Walk of Stars recipient as part of Modernism Week.

Modernism Week, the 11-day affair that celebrates the iconic mid-century architecture that fills the area, took place last month in Southern California, bringing a series of talks, screenings, architectural talks and more in the Coachella Valley. The week kicked off with a Bond-themed affair that celebrated the Elrod House.

Visitors could partake in the Signature Home Tour, a drive through some of the most key examples of desert modernist architecture. The documentary Harry Seidler – Modernist had its American premiere during Modernism Week, while Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw The Future, by the famed architect’s son Eric Saarinen, made its West Coast debut. The 17th annual Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale, which coincided with the week, boasted 85 dealers selling furniture and wares from the 20th century.

The Christopher Kennedy Compound appointed the Andreas Hills home of social influencer Kelly Lee (aka ‘Kelly Golightly’) and her photographer husband, Fred Moser, as the Modernism Week Show House, dubbed Villa Golightly. Dressing a chic outdoor terrace for the space, interior designer Christopher Kennedy also recruited the likes of Natasha Minasian, who conceived a room covered in palm leaf wallpaper, and Rachel Cannon, who decorated a funky laundry room.

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

Beadle’s design is based on plans unearthed from the late architect’s Phoenix-based estate

(Image credit: Beadle’s)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

The Monkey Tree Hotel, originally designed by Swiss architect Albert Frey in a 1960, revealed a fresh new look courtesy of its current owners

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

Just the fifth Desert Eichler to be completed in Palm Springs, this newly built house is a contemporary version of an original Eichler house designed by Claude Oakland

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

It is the first of its kind developed by KUD Properties and was the second ever Modernism Week Social House

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

Design Milk and designer Bobby Berk teamed up with with Carl Hansen & Søn to curate its interiors top to toe

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

The art, accessories, and design objects complement the heritage midcentury furnishings provided by Carl Hansen & Søn

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

The 17th annual Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale, which coincided with the week, boasted 85 dealers, including San Diego-based The Atomic Bazaar

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

The Christopher Kennedy Compound appointed the Andreas Hills home of social influencer Kelly Lee (aka ‘Kelly Golightly’) as the Modernism Week Show House

(Image credit: Fred Moser)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

The interiors were inspired by Audrey Hepburn. To wit, the house is nicknamed Villa Golightly

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation conducted a tour of Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms estate, In 1947

(Image credit: E Stewart Williams)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

The home was designated a Class 1 Historic Site by the city of Palm Springs in 2011

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

It has been described as ‘great midcentury design combined with Hollywood lore’

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

More than 50 vintage automobiles on display at the front entrance of the Palm Springs Convention Center on the last day of the Modernism Show & Sale, including a special display of Alfa Romeo cars

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

The Illuminated Modern Sunset Bus Tour highlighted architecturally significant midcentury and modern building facades along Palm Canyon Drive and surrounding neighbourhoods, including the Del Marcos Hotel

(Image credit: press)

Modernism Week 2017 honours Lautner, while a never-built Beadle comes to life

The buildings were illuminated with various lighting and typeface styles identifying the architect and year of construction

(Image credit: press)

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Modernism Week website

Ann Binlot is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer who covers art, fashion, design, architecture, food, and travel for publications like Wallpaper*, the Wall Street Journal, and Monocle. She is also editor-at-large at Document Journal and Family Style magazines.