Kaufmann Desert House

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Kaufmann Desert House

Site overview

Widely regarded by historians as one of Richard Neutra's masterworks, the Kaufmann Desert House in Palm Springs, California, was commissioned by patron Edgar Kaufmann as his winter residence. The dramatic low pinwheel structure appears as a series of floating planes with a focus on true inside/outside living. This is facilitated by large retractable steel and glass doors and outdoor radiant concrete pads.

Primary classification

Residential (RES)

Terms of protection

City of Palm Springs., Class I

Designations

City of Palm Springs Historic Site #29B, designated on July 17, 1996

Author(s)

Brent Harris | | 11/2/1998

How to Visit

Private residence

Location

470 West Vista Chino
Palm Springs, CA, 92262

Country

US

Designer(s)

Other designers

Richard J. Neutra, architect

Related News

Related chapter

Southern California

Completion

1946

Commission / Completion details

Commission unknown, completion 1946(e), restoration 1994-1998(e).

Current Use

Private residence

Current Condition

Museum quality restoration.

General Assessment

Widely regarded by historians as one of Richard Neutra's masterworks, the Kaufmann Desert House was commissioned by patron Edgar Kaufmann as his winter residence. The dramatic low pinwhaeel structure appears as a series of floating planes with a focus on true inside/outside living. This is facilitated by large retractable steel and glass doors and outdoor radiant concrete pads. The image taken by Julius Shulman at dusk, March 1947 is an icon of modern architecture.