My family and I recently returned from a 5000km road trip that included Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Palm Springs and many places in between.
Whilst this was a family trip, I relished the opportunity to absorb as much about SoCal & Desert architecture as possible. After all, our climate, culture and lifestyle are very similar!
Here are some of my observations
Lombard Street San Francisco with views across the bay to Oakland
-We really enjoyed walking the streets of the beachside suburb of Venice during our time in LA. Compact blocks have spawned some very creative two storey homes using a limited palette of materials. Houses are generally walled in for privacy and security but there is an abundance of landscaping around the homes that provides shade, privacy and interest to the suburb.
Venice
Venice
Venice
Venice
- Timber construction is the standard for homes and apartments in LA, and it was great to visit construction sites to see the similarities and differences to how we build at Leanhaus.
- However, it was disappointing to find that air tight buildings and Passive House has not taken off yet. There seems to be an absence of the ventilated cavities, quality airtightness barriers and detailing that we consider standard at Leanhaus. It was nice to see some of the different finishes the local trades use to disguise the timber walls though. One of which is an applied surface coating that looks like glass smooth concrete.
A new Mid-Century Modern style home being built in Palm Springs. The entire home is braced with plywood and double glazed windows are being installed, but structural rafters penetrate the thermal envelope and arent taped or insulated. The garage and lower wall is being prepared with wire mesh ready for a smooth concrete render.
Another home under construction. Timber is wall type of choice, but there is a heavy reliance on the Carbon intensive steel framing we avoid using at Leanhaus.
Staying in a timber framed home in Venice, it took some adjustment to the heat, musty smells and stuffiness of a home without a ventilation system, proper shading or cross ventilation. The AC was essential even on mild days just to provide some air movement.
-Roof top solar panels don’t seem to common in the climate progressive state of California. This is odd considering how reliant every home is on Air Conditioning.
Kauffman Desert House
- Palm Springs is known as a mid-century modern mecca for Architects and it did not disappoint. Of particular interest was the work of William Krisel, an architect who partnered with builders back in the 1960’s to develop a range of modern, climate sensitive homes for the middle classes. It is rumored that he is responsible for 30,000 tract homes in California and beyond. Testament to the quality of his designs is that most of the homes are still standing in Palm Springs and are considered very desirable.
I look forward to visiting Palm Springs again in 2025 for the 20th anniversary of Modernism Week. Hopefully I can nab tickets to visit the legendary Kauffman Desert House by Richard Neutra.
One many William Krisel homes in PS
Modern Home in Las Palmas suburb of Palm Springs
Modern Home in Las Palmas suburb of Palm Springs