Our Mission
Stewarding the legacy of Palm Springs architectural excellence into the future.
About Us
About 3 years ago a group of dedicated preservationists and futurists got together and conceived an idea...a group of organizations that would work together to get projects important to our community accomplished. PSAA is the result of that dream.
Alan Hess speaks about our book project...
Current Projects
The Book Project: "The Palm Springs School"
UPDATE March 21, 2023
We are very pleased to announce that the initial book project budget has been fully funded, a well-known agent has been hired to present the second draft of the book to prestigious publishers and we are waiting to hear which book publisher will offer us a contract. Watch this space for further updates.
We are excited to announce an academic architectural book project, The Palm Springs School: 1930-1980, that will officially anoint Palm Springs architecture as much more than a collection of beautiful designs. In recent years, we have examined the story of these talented architects, but their profound role in the larger story of modern architecture nationally and internationally has yet to be recognized--that’s the aim of this book.
Alan Hess, architect and celebrated historian, will author the book. Hess was a National Arts Journalism Fellow at Columbia University and has written over twenty books on modern architecture. In addition to his perspective, noted American architectural historians will contribute essays demonstrating the broader significance of the Palm Springs School.
There are many excellent books on Palm Springs architects and buildings. This book will not repeat those studies. Instead, it will draw out the deeper lessons and explore the creative concepts that emerged in Palm Springs–raising the city’s national and international profile as a major laboratory for Modernism.
In order to produce a book of this caliber and partner with a world-class publisher, a significant budget is required. Payments to the authors, photographer for new photographs, permissions for use of historic/existing photos and drawings, editorial costs, graphic design, and marketing must be included in the budget.
A committee of respected professionals has contributed to this budget forecast, which is estimated at $150,000, and this is where we need your help. We respectfully are asking you to consider a donation to help us make this book a reality.
This book has the potential for long-term impact as a resource for architecture and design students as well as preservationists throughout the country. It can also change the conversations about successful historic lessons addressing current building challenges and the importance of preservation for future solutions.
We encourage you to become a donor and become part of this exciting project.
Your donation to Palm Springs Architectural Alliance is tax deductible. PSAA has an established financial 501c3 agent to manage all donations on their behalf / Palm Springs Center for Creativity. Palm Springs Center for Creativity is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to education, meaningful engagement and deep understanding through creative endeavors and events centered on the Coachella Valley region of California. *
DONATE NOW
For additional information, you are encouraged to call or write Kim Zakowski, our fund-raising chairperson, at 619-417-6260 or Kim Zakowski
Please make your check payable to: Palm Springs Center for Creativity
Send checks to:
Attention Jay Zaltzman
Palm Springs Center for Creativity
2087 Lawrence Street
Palm Springs, CA 92264
* The Palm Springs Center for Creativity is a charitable organization as described in 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In accordance with the Internal Revenue Service guidelines. All donations are non-refundable. No goods or services were provided in return for any contribution. Contributions are generally tax-deductible to the limit allowed by law if the donor itemizes. Please consult your own financial advisor for details regarding tax deductibility. Tax ID #
83-2444190
UPDATE March 21, 2023
We are very pleased to announce that the initial book project budget has been fully funded, a well-known agent has been hired to present the second draft of the book to prestigious publishers and we are waiting to hear which book publisher will offer us a contract. Watch this space for further updates.
We are excited to announce an academic architectural book project, The Palm Springs School: 1930-1980, that will officially anoint Palm Springs architecture as much more than a collection of beautiful designs. In recent years, we have examined the story of these talented architects, but their profound role in the larger story of modern architecture nationally and internationally has yet to be recognized--that’s the aim of this book.
Alan Hess, architect and celebrated historian, will author the book. Hess was a National Arts Journalism Fellow at Columbia University and has written over twenty books on modern architecture. In addition to his perspective, noted American architectural historians will contribute essays demonstrating the broader significance of the Palm Springs School.
There are many excellent books on Palm Springs architects and buildings. This book will not repeat those studies. Instead, it will draw out the deeper lessons and explore the creative concepts that emerged in Palm Springs–raising the city’s national and international profile as a major laboratory for Modernism.
In order to produce a book of this caliber and partner with a world-class publisher, a significant budget is required. Payments to the authors, photographer for new photographs, permissions for use of historic/existing photos and drawings, editorial costs, graphic design, and marketing must be included in the budget.
A committee of respected professionals has contributed to this budget forecast, which is estimated at $150,000, and this is where we need your help. We respectfully are asking you to consider a donation to help us make this book a reality.
This book has the potential for long-term impact as a resource for architecture and design students as well as preservationists throughout the country. It can also change the conversations about successful historic lessons addressing current building challenges and the importance of preservation for future solutions.
We encourage you to become a donor and become part of this exciting project.
Your donation to Palm Springs Architectural Alliance is tax deductible. PSAA has an established financial 501c3 agent to manage all donations on their behalf / Palm Springs Center for Creativity. Palm Springs Center for Creativity is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to education, meaningful engagement and deep understanding through creative endeavors and events centered on the Coachella Valley region of California. *
DONATE NOW
For additional information, you are encouraged to call or write Kim Zakowski, our fund-raising chairperson, at 619-417-6260 or Kim Zakowski
Please make your check payable to: Palm Springs Center for Creativity
Send checks to:
Attention Jay Zaltzman
Palm Springs Center for Creativity
2087 Lawrence Street
Palm Springs, CA 92264
* The Palm Springs Center for Creativity is a charitable organization as described in 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In accordance with the Internal Revenue Service guidelines. All donations are non-refundable. No goods or services were provided in return for any contribution. Contributions are generally tax-deductible to the limit allowed by law if the donor itemizes. Please consult your own financial advisor for details regarding tax deductibility. Tax ID #
83-2444190
The Palm Springs Design Guidelines Project:
For the past 2 years, our PSAA task force has been working with the Director of Planning to introduce to the City Council the development of design guidelines for new construction in our city. Much work has already been done, and much remains to be accomplished.For more information about this project, please use the Contact Us form on this website.
For the past 2 years, our PSAA task force has been working with the Director of Planning to introduce to the City Council the development of design guidelines for new construction in our city. Much work has already been done, and much remains to be accomplished.For more information about this project, please use the Contact Us form on this website.
The new College of the Desert campus in Palm Springs Project
Our task force has been working for 3 years to facilitate the design and development of a ground-breaking 5-year architectural program at the new College of the Desert campus in Palm Springs. This new degree program will be a partnership between Cal Poly Pomona and College for the Desert. Covid has delayed the project along with a change of leadership at the COD. However, the work continues and a Memo of Understanding between the two schools is under development.
For more information about this project please use the Contact Us form on this website.
Our task force has been working for 3 years to facilitate the design and development of a ground-breaking 5-year architectural program at the new College of the Desert campus in Palm Springs. This new degree program will be a partnership between Cal Poly Pomona and College for the Desert. Covid has delayed the project along with a change of leadership at the COD. However, the work continues and a Memo of Understanding between the two schools is under development.
For more information about this project please use the Contact Us form on this website.
PAST PROJECTS
Fast Forward / Designing the Future of Palm Springs...
Part of Palm Springs Modernism Week Fall Preview / October 2020 / modernismweek.com
Produced and Sponsored by the Palm Springs Architectural Alliance.
Part of Palm Springs Modernism Week Fall Preview / October 2020 / modernismweek.com
Produced and Sponsored by the Palm Springs Architectural Alliance.