Second Life: Building Community around Preservation and Adaptive Reuse in the California Desert

5:30PM Refreshments

6:00PM Presentation

1 LU/HSW Pending

This event comprises a series of presentations followed by a panel discussion analyzing the impact of preservation and adaptive reuse projects in the California desert. These projects not only extend the lifespan of architecturally significant structures but also, more significantly, foster public commitment to preserving and celebrating the region’s modern built identity—a dedication that stands out prominently in the area.

Spanning from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea, the Golden State’s desert stands as a symbol of architectural pride. Region-wide events like Modernism Week attract hundreds of thousands of architecture and design enthusiasts annually, contributing to the local fascination with the built environment. Nonprofits such as the Palm Springs Modern Committee, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, Palm Desert Preservation Foundation, and others play a crucial role in raising awareness about the region’s architectural significance and mobilizing both public and private sectors to preserve it. As grassroots organizations driven by ecological concerns rather than profit, they actively oppose development plans that threaten social structures and environmental richness.

Towns like Palm Springs and Palm Desert, akin to Santa Barbara and Montecito, boast strong architectural identities. Architects across these urban centers grapple with similar challenges: balancing the preservation of local character with evolving functional and aesthetic needs. Preservation efforts, including adaptive reuse projects, emerge from this balance, offering insights for new construction in these historically rooted towns.

The proposed event aims to highlight preservation stories led by grassroots organizations in the California desert. These efforts, by engaging the public, have nurtured feelings of belonging, optimism, and pride in architecture, which provide valuable insights for Santa Barbara’s architects and the broader public.