Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center Earns Docomomo Award

Cite Marmol Radziner's work for transforming former Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan building

Site Staff Modernism

 

The Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion has been recognized by Docomomo US’ 2015 Modern in America Awards with a Design Award of Excellence (Civic/Institutional).

This award is given to exceptional projects that represent buildings and building typologies of postwar society in the United States.

In a press release from Docomomo US, they mention that the restoration of the Edwards Harris Pavilion by Marmol Radziner has captured its forward-looking spirit, transforming the glass-and-steel building into a leading example of innovation design that respects the past and embraces current technology.

“Understanding the appreciation that residents and visitors from all over the world share for the city’s celebrated modernist architecture, the Palm Springs City Council appropriated $850,000 in Measure J funds as an early contribution towards the transformation of the historic E. Stewart Williams designed-building into what is now a hugely popular destination for all to enjoy in the heart of downtown,” says Mary Jo Ginther, director of Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism.

“The Palm Springs Art Museum’s new Architecture and Design Center has become a thriving destination that has helped transform the City’s downtown,” adds Mayor Steve Pougnet. “We are thrilled that it is considered among the very best when it comes to modernist design in the United States, and it’s wonderful to see so many residents and visitors flocking to the newly renovated building to learn more about the city’s midcentury modern architecture and roots. There is no doubt the City Council’s initial investment in this visionary project is paying off in spades, and we look forward to a bright future for this shining new jewel in our city.”

The Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion, in downtown Palm Springs will be the hub of the museum's exploration of architecture and design, and houses related exhibitions and educational and community programs, as well as research space and a storage area for the museum's growing architecture and design collections and archives.

The opening exhibition, An Eloquent Modernist, E. Stewart Williams, Architect, celebrates the accomplishments of Williams, the acclaimed architect who designed the historic building in 1961 to be the Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan. Williams was one of the most important architects of the Desert Modern style, developed in and around Palm Springs in the middle of the 20th century.

 

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