Please join us for this special Modernism Week home tour honoring William F. Cody, one of the defining architects of Desert Modernism. For 2027, the tour will focus exclusively on Cody-designed condominium communities in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage, offering guests a unique opportunity to explore an important and groundbreaking aspect of his extraordinary body of work.

Over a prolific career cut short by his death at just 62, Cody helped define the architectural identity of the Coachella Valley. His portfolio extended far beyond the celebrated single-family residences for which he is widely known and included hotels, office and commercial buildings, country clubs, civic buildings and resort communities. His work in the development of condominium communities was particularly significant, helping introduce a sophisticated new form of communal desert living to the Coachella Valley.

Rather than confining himself to a singular aesthetic, Cody approached each project individually, responding to its site, purpose, and client. While his designs varied, the fundamentals of scale, proportion, light, materials and space remained remarkably consistent. He understood and embraced the principles of Modernism without allowing them to become rigid constraints, giving his architecture a depth, richness and individuality that continues to distinguish his work today.

Cody’s condominium communities are an especially compelling expression of this philosophy. Through carefully considered site planning, expansive walls of glass, dramatic rooflines, landscaped common areas, pools and seamless connections between interior and exterior spaces, Cody translated the ideals of Desert Modernism into a shared residential experience.

Inspired by Master of the Midcentury: The Architecture of William F. Cody by Catherine Cody, Jo Lauria and Don Choi, this special tour brings the pages of the book to life through a curated collection of Cody-designed residences and communities throughout Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage.

Each stop will include an audio narration recorded by Catherine Cody, providing historical context, architectural insight, and personal stories about her father’s work and legacy. Poster boards displayed throughout the tour will feature archival and contemporary photography, allowing guests to further explore the history, design, and significance of each property.

As a special addition to the 2027 tour, guests will also have the opportunity to visit a dedicated exhibition featuring work by Cal Poly architecture and design students inspired by William F. Cody’s architecture and design legacy. In the 21st century, students at Cal Poly are using the William F. Cody archives to analyze, reinterpret and reimagine Cody’s work. Working under the guidance of architectural historian Dr. Don Choi, these students are designing projects ranging from digital fonts to cocktail carts to pendant lamps, showing how Cody’s architecture combines with new technologies and perspectives to inspire a new generation.

Adding a very personal dimension to the experience, Catherine Cody, William F. Cody’s daughter, will visit every participating community throughout both the morning and afternoon tour sessions, creating a special connection between guests, homeowners, and the architect whose work is being celebrated.

Featured communities will include Historic Tennis Club Villas, Racquet Club Cottages West, Andreas Hills, and Cody Court in Rancho Mirage. Together, these distinctive Cody-designed condominium communities illustrate how he helped shape not only the architecture of the desert, but an entirely new approach to communal desert living.