Miele Chino Canyon Project Presents Modernism Week

From Modernism Week: Palm Springs, long known as a mecca for modernist architecture, will be home to two new modernist residences opening to the public during Palm Springs Modernism Week 2017. The Miele Chino Canyon Project presented by Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating and produced by Palm Springs Life and Better Built Inc., called on local contemporary architect Lance O’Donnell to create two iconic houses that present the principles of modernism with a fresh spin.

One of the projects, the 02 House, was O’Donnell’s original design and the other was based on neverbefore-built original plans from Arizona modernist Al Beadle. Both will feature notable art and furnishings as well as building principles that are sensitive to the environment of the desert.

While Palm Springs has an unrivaled trove of 20th century desert modernist structures, famed Arizona
modernist Al Beadle was never able to realize a project in the area, until now. Beadle, who passed away
in 1998, was known for translating the glass and steel lines of modernism into more relaxed forms that
referred to and complemented their desert locations. O’Donnell worked closely with the Beadle Archives
and some of the late architect’s closest collaborators to complete a previously unrealized house that
Beadle designed for Paradise Valley, Arizona in the 1970s. Resurrecting the house brings Beadle’s
brilliant work more closely into view and adds his name to the list of luminary modernist architects that are
part of the Palm Springs landscape.

The Beadle House features a smaller first level topped by an expansive second level that cantilevers 14
feet out in each direction. The house, which is sited within the Desert Palisades development in the Chino
Cone area of Palm Springs at the base of San Jacinto Mountains, is a hallmark of Beadle’s work, a
refined modern form artfully nestled into the rugged desert terrain. During Modernism Week, the
midcentury style of the Beadle House will be elevated further with interiors that feature 20th century
furnishings from the personal collection of collector and gallerist Peter Blake.

In conjunction with this new project, architect Lance O’Donnell has also recently completed a stunning
contemporary project of his own design, the 02 House, located within walking distance from the Al Beadle
House. O’Donnell, a Palm Springs native, is known for the sustainable approach he takes to
contemporary architecture. For this project, O’Donnell combines the best in contemporary architecture
with the principles of Palm Springs modernism. Like Al Beadle before him, O’Donnell has skillfully crafted
the house to exist amongst the terrain and weather of the desert, providing residents with a naturally
ventilated space and spectacular views of the Coachella Valley, and preserving the natural features of the
landscape. The O2 House will also feature an array of blue-chip artwork from contemporary artists such
as John Baldessari, Ed Ruscha, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jenny Holzer.

During the annual Palm Springs Modernism Week from February 16-26, visitors will have the
opportunity to tour both homes with tours offered daily from 9:30-4:30. These two homes give visitors a
opportunity to see firsthand the connection between midcentury desert modernism and the architecture of
today. Both homes were constructed by Better Built Inc. Visit www.modernismweek.com for tickets and
more information.

Location
Al Beadle Home and Lance O’Donnell O2 House
Desert Palisades 1101 W. Racquet Club Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262 United States

Images Courtesy Of Modernism Week