Kaufmann Desert House

Kaufmann Desert House is a single-family residence in Palm Springs, United States, that combines expansive glass walls, stone surfaces, and horizontal planes to create direct views of the desert and mountains. The building uses flat roofs, sliding glass doors, and a system of columns that anchor the structure to the landscape while blending interior and exterior spaces visually.

Edgar Kaufmann Sr commissioned Richard Neutra to design this house in 1946 as a winter residence, following the architect's earlier work on Fallingwater in Pennsylvania for the same family. Completion occurred in 1947, and later owners conducted a full restoration during the 1990s to return the building to its original condition.

The residence gained recognition through Julius Shulman's photographs in 1947 and influenced the development of California's mid-century modern architecture.

The property remains a private residence and is not open for regular public visits, though it can be partially viewed from the street. Tours are offered only during limited occasions, usually organized by groups focused on architectural history.

A series of photographs taken by photographer Julius Shulman in 1947 made this house internationally known and influenced the spread of modernist building style across the western United States. These images show the building at dusk with illuminated interiors, emphasizing the transparent structure in a particularly clear way.

Location: Palm Springs

Inception: 1946

Architects: Richard Neutra

GPS coordinates: 33.84480,-116.55200

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:51