Koerner House, Modern residential building in Palm Springs, US
The Koerner House is a modern residential building in Palm Springs featuring horizontal lines, expansive glass walls, and desert-adapted materials. The structure shows how architects applied California design principles to the desert climate.
The house was built in 1955 by architect Emerson Stewart Williams, marking a period of intense residential growth in post-war Palm Springs. It emerged during a time when the city was establishing itself as a modern destination for affluent Californians.
The Koerner House was commissioned by Leon and Thea Koerner, a Vancouver couple, as a winter residence, and its 2016 listing on the National Register of Historic Places recognised it as a notable example of E. Stewart Williams's residential work. The landscaping by Eckbo, Royston and Williams tied the house to its desert setting.
The house stands on a residential street in Palm Springs and is a private home, so visits are limited to viewing the exterior from the public road. Look for the low shed roof, deep overhangs and the wood-and-glass front, which are best seen in morning or late-afternoon light.
The roof was designed with extended overhangs that provide shade and reduce heat radiation, allowing natural temperature control without modern cooling systems. This simple yet effective solution shows how cleverly architects addressed extreme desert conditions.
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