Set against the backdrop of the dry desert hills, the Ace's white buildings are an unpretentious makeover of an existing, rundown roadside motel. L.A.-based firm Commune and the Ace's own design team, Atelier Ace, approached the project as a curatorial endeavor, commissioning a number of artists and artisans from southern California and the Southwest to piece together the design elements. See more of the Ace Palm Springs here.

Ray Kappe, now 80, sits in the master bedroom. He says he's as busy now as he was 40 years ago.

By knocking down walls, Dominguez was able to open the previously cramped kitchen and add extra cabinetry and counter space. He was also able to make room for a peninsula with a waterfall edge.

The kitchen’s original galley layout was retained, and the walls and utilities were kept in place.

This Beverly Hills kitHAUS is comprised of modernist prefab modules that can accommodate a variety of uses: from yoga studios to home offices, and from weekend retreats to pop-up kiosks and guest rooms.

Wedge by Wheelhaus

Mikei, his partner, and their dog Shabu Shabu in their living space. The table was made for the outdoors, but repurposed for the dining area from Urban Outfitters. It's surrounded by '80s-era vintage chairs sourced from Betsu.

Designed for the Future is available from Princeton Archtiectural Press for $25 and covers ideas on sustainability from architects, curators, landscape designers, and more.

Hans Hornemann's Ace seating collection for Normann Copenhagen is a luxurious take on flat-pack furniture—it can be easily transported by box.

Inhabiting an old Howard Johnson hotel, the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs fills a niche for low-budget, high-design accommodations while also appealing to the creative, urban set.

100 Contemporary Green Buildings, Volume 1 is available through Taschen

Harper sits on the porch just off the entrance. James notes that the children spend their time “swimming in the dam, feeding the chickens, and riding their ponies or bikes. It’s really just the simple stuff that we had when we grew up in the late ’70s and ’80s."

Inspirational spaces

Harper sits on the porch just off the entrance. James notes that the children spend their time “swimming in the dam, feeding the chickens, and riding their ponies or bikes. It’s really just the simple stuff that we had when we grew up in the late ’70s and ’80s.

100% Bollocks by The Wooden Truth, approximately 17 x 12 inches, $38

100 Quotes By Charles Eames, $25

Saul outfitted an antique, cast-iron clawfoot tub ($200) with a rainfall showerhead ($80) in the bathroom.

The “River Cabaan” is just steps away from the Wilson River and a 80-minute drive from Portland, Oregon.

The stunning 80-foot-long glass wall opens up to the outdoors and brings the lake inside.

A WH Design sofa and an Arper Catifa 80 chair rest on a Nanimarquina rug made of recycled bike tires.

Interior designer Cathie Hong transformed the kitchen of this San Jose Eichler into a bright open space, but kept the wood paneling in the adjacent room, to preserve the warm, midcentury feel.

The Genesis GV80 sits near the open carport of the Clear Oaks Residence. Preproduction model with optional features shown.

Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles Ace found a home in the grand 1920s United Artists Theatre building, maintaining its gothic theater and incredible ceilings. Bedrooms are updated, however, with Mondrian-esque bedspreads and globed pendant lights.

Even if domes and arches were considered bad for acoustics, Crane made use of them in the hundreds, pushing the limits of aesthetics for the pure decadence of it. In it’s almost Catherdralesque proportions and ambiance, United Artists Theatre in L.A., now the Ace Hotel, is a luxurious example.

This 7,072-square-feet, two-story house consists of 80 tsubos, which were re-organized to accommodate modern living.

A dramatic, 80-foot-long pool and spa runs beyond the building along the north edge, as the site slopes down to the lake.

A Genesis GV80 sits in front of the deep-set, two-story garage of the Foust Residence. Preproduction model with optional features shown.

With a stairway placed to the left of the entryway, it almost appears as if the carport (where a Genesis GV80 is parked) is floating Preproduction model with optional features shown.

POOJA ROOM WITH 80KG DOME DEPICTING CONCEPT OF AKSHAYAPATRA

Unité d'Habitation in Marseille, France

The home consists of one main building and three outbuildings that can be configured in many different ways. This outbuilding clad in poplar bark is an office. The poplar bark shingles are maintenance-free for up to 80 years and are a Cradle to Cradle gold certified material. Photo by Diana Budds.

The food cart specializes in smoked meat sandwiches. It sits on a patio event space that can hold up to 300 people with seating for 80.

Dwell’s executive editor, Jenny Xie, steps out of the Genesis GV80 into Richard Neutra’s Lew House. Preproduction model with optional features shown.

The two-level home rests on a lush property surrounded by 80-foot-tall trees. Simple black steel siding lends texture to the home’s facade.

In keeping with the ’80s theme, Lorenz selected an Andy Warhol wallpaper for the bathroom. Glossy black cabinetry and counters complement an edge design in the wood-clad walls.

British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.