Tour Palm Springs With Modernism Week
In addition to annual signature events, Modernism Week offers seasonal tours of Palm Springs showcasing historic locations of modernist architecture that can only be found here. Tours are lead by expert Modernism Week guides who share the incredible history of iconic buildings and the personal stories of the architects, artists, and celebrities who made Palm Springs known as the epicenter of modernism. View the tours page to learn more and book your seats, or read on to learn about what you'll see on an unforgettable experience that only Modernism Week can offer.
Meet the Modern Architects Showcased on this Palm Springs Tour
We like to think of Palm Springs as a living museum of architecture—and this tour as an in-depth introduction to the collection. Standout works include masterpieces by leading world architects, such as:
- Richard Neutra’s Kaufmann House (1946)
- John Lautner’s Bob Hope House (1973)
- Albert Frey’s Aluminaire (1931)
- Albert Frey’s Frey II (1963)
Other fine works by notable California architects include:
- Donald Wexler’s Steel Houses (1962)
- E. Stewart Williams’ Edris House (1954)
- Frank Sinatra House (1947)
Also included are hundreds of innovative, stylish modern tract homes by William Krisel and Dan Palmer, and many, many others.
A Little Something Extra: Spanish Colonial Architecture & Living Architect
The tour goes beyond modernism to showcase extraordinary examples of Spanish Colonial architecture—the style that preceded the modern era—as well as contemporary works by living architects, illustrating how modernist ideals continue to thrive and shape Palm Springs’ evolving architectural landscape.
Explore Acclaimed Architects Who Shaped Palm Springs Architecture
Whether you’re a scholar, architecture enthusiast, or simply curious, this list features influential architects—some familiar, others waiting to be discovered. Take a look and see which names resonate with you.
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William Gray Purcell, 1880 - 1965
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Lawrence Kocher, 1885 - 1969
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Rudolph Schindler, 1887 - 1953
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Gordon Bernie Kaufmann, 1888 - 1949
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Frank Lloyd Wright Jr., 1890 - 1978
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Richard Neutra, 1892 - 1970
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Paul R. Williams, 1894 - 1980
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Henry L. Gogerty, 1994 - 1990
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Albert C. Martin, Sr., 1897 - 1960
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Frederick Monhoff, 1897 - 1975
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Allen George Siple, 1900 - 1973
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Welton Becket, 1902 – 1969
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Edward Durell Stone, 1902 - 1978
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Howard T. Fisher, 1903 - 1979
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Rudi Baumfeld, 1904 - 1988
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Frederick Emmons, 1907 - 1999
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William Pereira, 1909 - 1980
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Charles Luckman, 1909 - 1999
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Henry Lawrence Eggers, 1911 - 1987
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John Lautner, 1911 - 1994
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Quincy Jones, 1913 - 1979
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Edward H. Fickett, 1916 - 1999
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Richard Wheeler, 1917 – 1990
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Harold W. "Hal" Levitt, 1921 - 2003
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Joe Bing Wong, 1921 - 2011
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Richard R. Lietch, b. 1922
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Craig Elwood, 1922 - 1992
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Val J. Powelson, 1924 - 1997
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Donald C. Hensman, 1924 - 2002
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Conrad Buff III, 1926 - 1989
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Ray Kappe, 1927 - 2019
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Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, b. 1934 - 2024
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Barry Berkus, 1935 - 2012
Explore Palm Springs on a Tour of Its Rich Architectural Heritage
This tour offers an extensive exploration of Palm Springs’ rich history and architectural heritage, spanning more than 140 years. Covering hundreds of iconic homes, buildings, neighborhoods, and stunning natural landscapes, it showcases why Palm Springs is recognized as a world-class cultural and architectural destination.
