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A Modernist Moves West
Albert Frey’s career took an abrupt turn when he moved to the desert of Southern California. Frey, who was born in Switzerland in 1903, had achieved fame when he, along with A. Lawrence Kocher, Architectural Record’s managing editor at the time, designed the Aluminaire House in New York in 1931. That all-metal house was designed to provide low-cost housing for the burgeoning American middle class.
Frey (1903-1998), a luminary in modern architecture, chose Palm Springs as his creative canvas starting in 1934. His prolific career, spanning decades, yielded over 200 architectural designs, notably including the Palm Springs City Hall and the Aerial Tramway Valley Station, a collaboration with John Porter Clark.
“I had a very careful survey made showing the contours and all the rock. Then I put up some strings to see how the design would work out. We then established the levels, and then I had to fit the glass to the rock. The slope of the roof follows the slope of the terrain, the contrast between the natural rock and the high tech materials is rather exciting.” — Albert Frey
His residence, Frey House II, completed in 1964 and nestled on the hillside at Tahquitz Canyon Way's western end, stands as a testament to his architectural vision. At its construction, this home boasted the highest elevation of any residence in Palm Springs. Frey devoted five years to selecting its site, following a year-long study of solar movement with a 10-foot pole.
Initially, Palm Springs City Hall was hesitant, labeling Frey's plans as "unconventional," but eventually approved this now-iconic design. Frey House II, Frey's second self-designed home in Palm Springs, is an architectural gem perched on San Jacinto mountain, overlooking the vast Coachella Valley.
Frey's design philosophy aimed to minimize environmental impact. The home, a mere 800 square feet, exemplifies compact yet highly functional living. Its base, a concrete block podium, supports the simple yet elegant steel structure. It features a steel frame, extensive glass panelling, and corrugated metal sheathing. A unique platform, parallel to the road, doubles as a pool deck and carport roof. The design incorporates a flat corrugated-aluminum roof, sun-blocking overhangs, and sliding glass doors that integrate the indoor and outdoor spaces. Glass walls throughout the house offer breathtaking views, while the pool and deck ingeniously serve as the carport's roof.
The interior includes a dining/work area and bathroom on the upper level, with a living area, master bedroom, and kitchen on the lower level. In 1967, Frey expanded the house by adding a 300-square-foot guest bedroom. His design choices, like the yellow curtains echoing the desert's Encilla flowers and a sky-blue painted ceiling, reflect his deep connection with nature.
One of the property's most iconic features is the integration of a large boulder, seamlessly merging the bedroom and living space and underscoring Frey's philosophy of harmony with nature. This element not only showcases Frey's innovative approach but also cements his legacy in the realm of modern architecture.
