Palm Springs Life / Desert Guide / March 2010 / William F. Cody A.I.A. - A Comment on Architecture

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William F. Cody A.I.A. - A Comment on Architecture

(Republished from the August 1964 Issue of Palm Springs Life Magazine)

This article presented in the Palm Springs Life August 1964 issue,  the result of many interviews with William F. Cody, A.I.A., both nationally and internationally known for his Palm Springs architecture. He resided in Palm Springs with his wife, Winifred, and daughters Diane, Lynne, and Cathy, where he maintained his main office starting in 1946, with other offices in San Francisco and Phoenix.

He enjoyed one of the largest practices of architecture in the area. Production from his Palm Springs office, involving both architecture and planning, had resulted in the completion of many fine projects throughout the western states and abroad. He was a member of the Palm Springs Planning Commission and devoted a great deal of time and effort to the welfare and future of our desert communities.

"Architecture must guide the future of our culture, a three-dimensional sculptured concept  conditioned by proportion, the secret of great building. Father to the arts, it embraces man's  finest endeavors and, since the inception of time, has inspired progress and served to formulate  a better way of life", stated William F. Cody in an approach to the subject of his profession.

"Architecture today, (a result of the experiences of the past combined with our present  technology, new materials, mass production methods, the accelerated pace of present day living,  and our affluent society) affords the architect a great opportunity for expression in his  practice."

Cody, a perfectionist, has very definite ideas on architecture as related to our time. "We are  fortunate to live under a democratic way of life wherein the individual can express his own  ideas, thus fulfilling the most basic need in man's nature.

"Of course, the danger of encroachments which stifle this expression are ever present and,  certainly, not on the decrease. Beginning with municipal codes and ending with federal  restrictions these encroachments, all intended to safeguard the public's interest, can often be  detrimental to the architect in his freedom of design."

Cody's college years were spent during a time of great change in the architectural field.

It was a time of pronounced transition of thought in architecture. While he was in attendance at  the architectural school of the University of Southern California, just prior to World War II,  two schools of thought were in definite conflict. Subsequent to this period, the Beaux Art  system of design based on eclecticism was the only approach available to students. Fighting for  recognition was a vibrant new "freedom of expression" school exemplified by the spirit of  contemporary design.

This new way of thinking created an unlimited potential by the architect. Reaching for this  potential has often led to abuses in design in modern architecture.

Cody said, "Architecture, (the creation of an environment within the limitations of space) set  free by the principles of new creative thinking is developing, in our era, an identity  reflecting man's greatest period of affluence.

"The tempo, the pace of our century accelerated by the upheaval of scientific knowledge, the  population explosion and automation exercises on the creative process in architecture a demand  unknown to the architect of centuries past. It was not unreasonable in these past centuries for  a man to devote his lifetime to a single structure. Today, some architects attempt to design  hundreds of buildings each year.

"Fine architecture is not a product of automation. Great talent in any field is limited to the  very few. Therefore, some of today's buildings are bad examples of contemporary design. The  demand for talent exceeds the supply. This is unfortunate because it has bred mediocrity. It is  appalling that 80 percent of the buildings constructed in this country are designed without  benefit of architects. The construction industry, largest in the nation, is lagging for behind  the advances in other fields."

The luxurious clubhouse at Eldorado Country Club and the Palm Springs Spa Hotel are but two of  the many Cody-designed buildings, homes and projects on the desert. Discussing architecture  here, he said, "People should remember that Los Angeles was once considered desert land.

Coachella Valley really isn't the desert as it used to be. With air conditioning as we have it  today in our homes, offices and automobiles, you can live as comfortably on the desert as  anywhere else throughout the year. We have a plentiful water supply, clear skies and more daily  sunshine than any place else in the country. All this means the departure from 'architecture of  necessity which began with the primitive Indians who first inhabited Southern California. The  Spaniards, who so very strongly influenced early development in the Southland, brought with them  facets of environment which are still in use today. "We find this influence in shade areas  surrounding our present structures in the enclosed patio concept...which the Spaniards  originally borrowed from Roman times. This concept is often used now to insure privacy, which  our increased population demands, rather than as a need for defense. We must realize the past  has always influenced architecture in every era of man's existence."

Cody, along with most architects who have been fortunate enough to acquire commissions of  quality construction, has heard the expression, "he's expensive" and wonders if the  architectural fee for his services seems excessive—or could it possibly be the apparent cost of  the building itself that's responsible for this impression or both. He explained: "To perform a  comprehensive professional service it is mandatory to obtain the minimum fee established by the  American Institute of Architects for each category of building type.

"Architects are always faced with cost problems in today's practice — a design limitation. This  cost factor makes low budget projects an even greater challenge and architects have been remiss  in properly informing the public on the value of fine design talent regardless of the scope of a project.

"Good architecture in planning is the only real and lasting value in any building. Capital  investment in buildings involves the greatest expenditure in our civilian economy. Long-term  investments, devoid of good design, only cause future disaster for the investor. Our entire  economy will be affected if binding institutions do not correct this problem by demanding  competent architectural design."

Discussing his role as a member of the City Planning Commission, Cody expressed his views:"The  current high rise ordinance is a unique departure in city planning. No other community I know of  has a similar program. The permitting of 'high rise' structures (designed only by licensed  architects, qualified by their training and experience to design structures of aesthetic value),  conditioned with sight-and-shadow line control, will provide the future of Palm Springs with  open space, in fact, this should be called the open-space ordinance."

Although admitting that you cannot legislate design, he is strongly in favor of Urban Renewal:  "This is an urgent problem for Palm Springs and other communities in our country and we had  better do something about it now. I don't pretend to know how it should be financed, whether by  federal or state or private funds, not advocating one or the other, but I know we must do  something quickly or we are in trouble."

The Palm Springs Planning Collaborative, a group composed of the city's leading architects and  planners, has offered their services to assist this and other similar planning programs. Cody,  as chairman of this group, feels that a wealth of local talent is available and, in fact,  stated, "We have much more architectural talent available than a city the size of San Diego."

It is interesting to note that the members of the Palm Springs Planning Collaborative have  collectively produced in the last 20 years more than $100 million in completed projects in this  area alone.

Preservation of our natural resources has long been a vital subject with Bill Cody. He has  frequently suggested that our picturesque canyons should be preserved as state or federal parks.  "We had better keep the scenic grandeur of our canyons", he warned, "for future generations."

Asked if he foresees that houses will climb the mountainsides here, Cody replied, "This is  probably inevitable. However, there are many ways to do this and very serious consideration must  be given to finding an approach with proper controls devised to preserve scenic beauty. There is  very little advantage to scarring the natural beauty of our mountain areas. Again, good planning  and forethought are vital to any land development of our hillside areas."

He feels that the international focus, highlighted by the choice of this area for relaxation by  heads of state, presidents, leaders from the fields of entertainment and sports, plus executives  from the worlds of industry, finance and commerce, has been due in great measure to not only the  climate but to the environment created with fine architecture, open space, preserved by golf  courses and other facilities for relaxation and recreation.

Of the utmost importance, is the contribution to this environment by the excellent sign  ordinance, initiated in Palm Springs many years ago. "It is regrettable that many infringements  now exist," he said. "We must strengthen and hold fast to the original intent of this ordinance,  thereby eliminating as much as possible the scarring of our mountain areas."

Contemporary architecture is not unique to the United States, but Cody believes that it is the  only approach to desert living. "It is sickening," he said, "that we are plagued with pseudo  Roman medal-stamp columns, large imitation wine jugs and Grecian villas and neo (and sub-neo)  classic design better fitted for a Hollywood back-lot 'B' picture.

"Good contemporary architecture is a world wide expression, conditioned by the geographic  location, politics and economics of the various countries throughout the world. Here, on the  desert, it should flourish."

Putting into practice his belief in architecture, encompassing the total design concept on a  project wherein the architect not only designs the building but controls landscaping furnishing  and all other facets to complete the picture, Cody has underway and near the construction stage  the Valley Wide Center in Palm Desert.

This center will incorporate many of the concepts that have become his trademarks. Promoted and  completely designed by William F. Cody, the complex will feature rigid control of signs, tenant  interiors, abundant landscaping, and vast shade areas which he feels have been overlooked in  similar projects.

The center will also contain the new Cody office building, fronting on a mall composed of shops  embracing arts, crafts, and affiliated enterprises combined to establish in one area talents  that complement his architectural practice.

Associated with the project are industrialists Robert P. McCulloch and Robert Cannon, as well as  Russell Wade, prominent desert real estate executive.