The Raymond Loewy House, architect Albert Frey, 1946: PS ModCom Iconic Home Tour

Discover Albert Frey's remarkable 1946 Raymond Loewy House, where natural boulders, walls of glass and a pool extending into the living room define this Desert Modernist landmark.

In 1946, legendary industrial designer Raymond Loewy turned to Palm Springs and architect Albert Frey to create a winter retreat for his family. The result is one of the desert’s most distinctive residences, a remarkable collaboration between two giants of Modern design.

Set at the edge of Little Tuscany, the Loewy House incorporates the site’s dramatic boulder outcropping into the design. Corrugated aluminum, expansive floor-to-ceiling glass, and a strong connection between interior and exterior reflect Frey’s approach to building in the desert. At its heart is the unforgettable curved glass pavilion and swimming pool that extends directly into the living room. Loewy himself described the setting as resembling “a blue lagoon in a desert oasis.”

Born in France and beginning his American career as a fashion illustrator, Loewy went on to become one of the most influential industrial designers of the twentieth century. His work touched nearly every aspect of American life, from automobiles and household products to corporate identities and transportation. His celebrated designs include the Studebaker Avanti, created by his design team during a retreat in Palm Springs, as well as the familiar Coca Cola bottle, Lucky Strike packaging and numerous enduring corporate logos.

Loewy also played a role in creating the distinctive blue and white appearance of Air Force One during the Kennedy administration, a design that became one of the most recognizable symbols of American presidential travel.

Join us for a rare opportunity to experience this extraordinary home, where architecture, design and Palm Springs glamour come together.

A portion of the proceeds from the tour directly benefit the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom), a non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of Desert Modern architecture and design. We accomplish this through education, advocacy for threatened buildings, promotion of heritage tourism, and the celebration of successes in preservation and adaptive reuse.

psmodcom.org

Photo Credits: David Glomb, Julius Shulman

Location & Attendee Information

  • What are the appropriate ages for this activity?Person Ages 21 and older
  • Are pets, animals, or service animals permitted?Dog on a leash No pets, service animals permitted
  • Are food and drinks permitted?Food and drink No food or drinks permitted in homes
  • What are the mobility considerations for this activity?Person walking Walking & standing activity
  • What type of parking is available?Car Free neighborhood street parking
  • What is the policy for personal effects?Bag or purse Large purses, bags, backpacks not permitted
  • Is photography permitted?Camera Photography permitted at discretion of host
  • Are restrooms available?Restroom sign Restrooms not available
  • Is this an indoor or outdoor activity?Sun Indoor and outdoor activity
  • What is the policy regarding smoking?Cigarette with smoke No smoking or e-cigarettes
  • What type of tour is this?Group of people Interior/exterior tour
  • What type of ADA accessibility is available?Wheelchair Not wheelchair accessible
The organizer of this event is: Palm Springs Modern Committee

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