Palm Springs the Golden Years

Palm Springs the Golden Years is a work in progress. It is a series of photos of iconic Palm Springs midcentury modern architectural details printed with archival ink on vellum, backed with 24 karat gold leaf, and coated with a UV archival varnish. The details shown are exactly as they were designed and built between 1946 and 1977.

Although the preservationists of Palm Springs devote their time and resources to maintaining the authenticity of as many of these architectural treasures as possible, it’s not possible to save them all. Through the years, I’ve been documenting them, particularly those that remain in their original form.

This small desert town, not far from bustling Hollywood, was part of a post-war American housing boom, the difference being that, in Palm Springs, the architecture was of European influence in a desert setting, giving it a uniqueness unlike any other region of America or the world, for that matter. This was the Golden Era of Palm Springs when architects were given the room and the freedom to create as they wished and the homes and condos, with good design in all price ranges, were available to all.

Like many American towns, Palm Springs has experienced boom and bust. By photographing, gilding, and varnishing these creations, I aim to preserve and elevate their beauty.