This iconic Rancho Mirage home can teach you a lot about the fi nesse of Desert Modernism from one of its masters, William Cody.

At the Jaffe House in the Rancho Mirage area of Greater Palm Springs,

myriad elements combine to make this home both interesting and also incredibly private.

For starters, the double doors you see here don’t open directly into the house, as you might expect. Instead, they open onto a courtyard with a covered colonnade and stone pathway that lead deeper into the property and to the house.

Architect William F. Cody drew on many of the principals of modern architecture in the home’s design, using fl oor- to- ceiling windows inside. These are cleverly shaded by the deeply overhanging roof and plenty of greenery. Palms and yucca plants combine with various cacti to add plenty of interest to the desert landscaping.

SPRING 2022

SLUMPSTONE WALLS CREATE SOFTNESS

The brick wall is what’s known as “slumpstone,” the process by which the blocks are cast but are then removed from the mold before they’re completely set. The block “slumps” under its own weight, giving it a rounded appearance that mimics traditional adobe or mud bricks. When stacked in walls such as this one, they give the masonry a softer appearance and help create those simple, clean lines that Mid Century Modern architecture is known for.

SEE ICONIC PALM SPRINGS HOMES AND CELEBRITY HOUSES

If you’re into architecture or you simply want to learn about the beautiful properties and homes in Palm Springs, Jaffe House is just one of the historic properties you can learn about by going on a self- guided, self- driving modern architecture tour.

ModernToursPalmSprings. com offers guided tours that run on your smartphone and include photos, a narrator and mapping to get you to each stop. Visit ModernToursPalmSprings. com for more information.