Famed Palm Springs Mid Century Modern architect William Krisel came out of retirement, collaborating with a passionate team to breathe new life into this Twin Palms home.

By Laura Shimko 

 Photography by Dan Chavkin

  W ITH ITS SUN FLAPS, THICK SHRUBBERY AND EXTERIOR WALLS, THE HOUSE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR PRIVACY EVEN IN THE MIDST OF A TRACT HOME CONTEXT. “YOU DON’T SEE ANYTHING FROM THE FRONT EXCEPT THE WALL AND SUN FLAP, WHILE INSIDE AND IN THE BACK YARD THE SPACE OPENS UP,” HOMEOWNER HEIDI CREIGHTON SAYS. THE LANDSCAPING LIKEWISE GIVES THE HOME A QUIET, PRIVATE FEEL. “IT IS SO SERENE, LIKE A JAPANESE PAVILION,” ADDS KRISEL EXPERT CHRIS MENRAD. “KRISEL WAS BORN IN SHANGHAI AND WAS INFLUENCED BY THAT.”

IN 2019, HEIDI’S HOME WAS THE FIRST KRISEL HOME TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DUE TO KRISEL’S DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN THE RESTORATION AND RENOVATION. UNFORTUNATELY, KRISEL DIED IN 2017 AND WASN’T ABLE TO SEE THE FINAL OUTCOME OF HIS LABOR. “HE WOULD’VE BEEN THRILLED,” HEIDI SAYS. IN 2016, HEIDI AND CHRIS CO-EDITED THE BOOK WILLIAM KRISEL’S PALM SPRINGS: THE LANGUAGE OF MODERNISM, AN EXTENSIVE CHRONICLING OF KRISEL’S WORK.   TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOOK, TURN TO PAGE 42.

Tucked into the vibrant and picturesque Twin Palms neighborhood in sunny Palm Springs, this 1957 home was built by the Alexander Construction Company and designed by visionary and architect William Krisel. Over the years, the home had fallen into neglect and was in need of some work. When realtor, Twin Palms neighborhood resident, author and Krisel expert Chris Menrad saw the home on the market in late 2011, he envisioned an opportunity to honor the home’s original design while giving it a refresh. Chris collaborated with friend J.R. Roberts—board member of the Palm Springs Modern Committee and well-known in the area for his preservation and restoration work—on the restoration and renovation of the home, consulting with original architect William Krisel himself for the project.