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Krisel was also known for his boldly modern approach to landscape. The Menrad residence, shown here, features a distinct geometric design. The architect, working in the harsh Palm Springs climate, relied on hardscape elements—setting a precedent for drought-tolerant landscape design.
Krisel was also known for his boldly modern approach to landscape. The Menrad residence, shown here, features a distinct geometric design. The architect, working in the harsh Palm Springs climate, relied on hardscape elements—setting a precedent for drought-tolerant landscape design.
William Krisel designed the Ocotillo Lodge, a hotel that features a number of his signature design moves: post-and-beam construction, walls of glass, and seamless indoor/outdoor connections. Pictured here is one of the hotel’s bungalows.
William Krisel designed the Ocotillo Lodge, a hotel that features a number of his signature design moves: post-and-beam construction, walls of glass, and seamless indoor/outdoor connections. Pictured here is one of the hotel’s bungalows.
A tract house with a butterfly roof designed in 1956 for Joe Dunas.
A tract house with a butterfly roof designed in 1956 for Joe Dunas.
Another 1956 tract house with a flat roof designed by Krisel.
Another 1956 tract house with a flat roof designed by Krisel.
Twin Palms by William Krisel.
Twin Palms by William Krisel.
Twin Palms by William Krisel.
Twin Palms by William Krisel.
Twin Palms by William Krisel.
Twin Palms by William Krisel.
William Krisel circa 1970.
William Krisel circa 1970.
Twin Palms by William Krisel.
Twin Palms by William Krisel.
Corbin Palms by William Krisel.
Corbin Palms by William Krisel.
Home Show House by William Krisel.
Home Show House by William Krisel.
La Jolla Pacifica by William Krisel.
La Jolla Pacifica by William Krisel.
The interior of the Menrad residence, with a raised ceiling and glass walls. "The house felt like the ultimate expression of what postwar residential architecture in California was all about," resident Chris Menrad writes in the book.
The interior of the Menrad residence, with a raised ceiling and glass walls. "The house felt like the ultimate expression of what postwar residential architecture in California was all about," resident Chris Menrad writes in the book.
La Jolla Scenic Heights by William Krisel.
La Jolla Scenic Heights by William Krisel.
Racquet Club Road Estates by William Krisel.
Racquet Club Road Estates by William Krisel.
Twin Palms Plans and Elevation Drawings by William Krisel.
Twin Palms Plans and Elevation Drawings by William Krisel.
1956 William Krisel FAIA for Alexander Construction Company
1956 William Krisel FAIA for Alexander Construction Company
A Swiss Miss style house by William Krisel
A Swiss Miss style house by William Krisel
Originally built in 1957, this Twin Palms home was designed by William Krisel. Recently, the home was renovated with an updated kitchen and bathrooms that remain true to the residence’s midcentury character.
Originally built in 1957, this Twin Palms home was designed by William Krisel. Recently, the home was renovated with an updated kitchen and bathrooms that remain true to the residence’s midcentury character.
Illustration by David Galletly
Illustration by David Galletly
Illustration by David Galletly
Illustration by David Galletly
Completed in 1960, this Alexander home was designed by William Krisel for Robert Alexander and his wife Helene, however, it’s most famous as the location where Elvis and Priscilla Presley spent their 1967 honeymoon.
Completed in 1960, this Alexander home was designed by William Krisel for Robert Alexander and his wife Helene, however, it’s most famous as the location where Elvis and Priscilla Presley spent their 1967 honeymoon.
Kings Point—located at the Indians Canyon Golf Resort—is home to 44 condominiums designed by Dan Palmer and William Krisel in 1968. High ceilings, ample clerestory windows, and extensive views of the Jacinto Mountains are among their defining charactertistics.
Kings Point—located at the Indians Canyon Golf Resort—is home to 44 condominiums designed by Dan Palmer and William Krisel in 1968. High ceilings, ample clerestory windows, and extensive views of the Jacinto Mountains are among their defining charactertistics.
Architect William Carpenter, glimpsed in his second-floor design studio, built Lightroom 2.0 to sit unobtrusively among its 1920s neighbors in Decatur.
Architect William Carpenter, glimpsed in his second-floor design studio, built Lightroom 2.0 to sit unobtrusively among its 1920s neighbors in Decatur.
William Krisel accepting his Walk of Stars plaque in Palm Springs, California, in early 2009.
William Krisel accepting his Walk of Stars plaque in Palm Springs, California, in early 2009.
This 1960s home designed by William Krisel embraces the rugged nature of the desert in a modern, minimalist way. It is casual yet intentional, with each of the four bedrooms imbued with pattern and color—plus, there’s a separated bedroom for in-laws equipped with its own kitchen.
This 1960s home designed by William Krisel embraces the rugged nature of the desert in a modern, minimalist way. It is casual yet intentional, with each of the four bedrooms imbued with pattern and color—plus, there’s a separated bedroom for in-laws equipped with its own kitchen.
Renderings of William Krisel-designed residences at Racquet Club Road Estates in Palm Springs (1959). The book "William Krisel's Palm Springs: The Language of Moderism" contains a number of such images, as well as monographs about Krisel's work. (Gift of William Krisel Architectural Archive / Getty Research Institute, via Los Angeles Times.
Renderings of William Krisel-designed residences at Racquet Club Road Estates in Palm Springs (1959). The book "William Krisel's Palm Springs: The Language of Moderism" contains a number of such images, as well as monographs about Krisel's work. (Gift of William Krisel Architectural Archive / Getty Research Institute, via Los Angeles Times.
Pioneering architect William Krisel's Tipper-Grundt Residence is a futuristic formation of five connected pods. The entry showcases the interior pod-like design, hand-forged stone walls, and original white terrazzo and brass inlaid flooring featured throughout the home. The updated, state-of-the-art kitchen and bathrooms have clean, white cabinetry that contrasts with the rough stone of the masonry walls.
Pioneering architect William Krisel's Tipper-Grundt Residence is a futuristic formation of five connected pods. The entry showcases the interior pod-like design, hand-forged stone walls, and original white terrazzo and brass inlaid flooring featured throughout the home. The updated, state-of-the-art kitchen and bathrooms have clean, white cabinetry that contrasts with the rough stone of the masonry walls.
William Lamson's Solarium.
William Lamson's Solarium.
Guest House, by Arthur Q. Davis.
Guest House, by Arthur Q. Davis.
If it’s a minimalist space that you seek, you’re in luck with this 1959 Alexander Construction Company–built home that was designed by William Krisel. This home promises tranquility with crisp, white interiors drenched in sunlight. The backyard offers a multitude of options to keep you and your guests busy: swim in the large pool, converse by the fire pit, or cook up a meal on the gas grill.
If it’s a minimalist space that you seek, you’re in luck with this 1959 Alexander Construction Company–built home that was designed by William Krisel. This home promises tranquility with crisp, white interiors drenched in sunlight. The backyard offers a multitude of options to keep you and your guests busy: swim in the large pool, converse by the fire pit, or cook up a meal on the gas grill.
At the 4th Annual Modernism Week in Palm Springs, architect William Krisel was honored with a star bearing his name along the city’s Walk of Stars. Krisel is shown above at the ceremony with his wife, Corinne.
At the 4th Annual Modernism Week in Palm Springs, architect William Krisel was honored with a star bearing his name along the city’s Walk of Stars. Krisel is shown above at the ceremony with his wife, Corinne.
The Sandpiper is a group of nine real estate subdivisions (306 homes in total), designed by Krisel and built between 1958 and 1969. Krisel also did all the landscape design for the site.
The Sandpiper is a group of nine real estate subdivisions (306 homes in total), designed by Krisel and built between 1958 and 1969. Krisel also did all the landscape design for the site.
Alexander mid-century home, by William Krisel. Owner Kyle Zvacek on Airbnb
Alexander mid-century home, by William Krisel. Owner Kyle Zvacek on Airbnb
Love visiting this Palm Springs Oasis! Alexander mid-century home, by William Krisel.
Love visiting this Palm Springs Oasis! Alexander mid-century home, by William Krisel.
The owners of this updated Tudor-style abode in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Eagle Rock, Amanda and William Hunter, are the design duo behind the William Hunter Collective, which rehabs homes. Handmade tile, soapstone counters, walnut wood, and steel make up the artfully styled kitchen.
The owners of this updated Tudor-style abode in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Eagle Rock, Amanda and William Hunter, are the design duo behind the William Hunter Collective, which rehabs homes. Handmade tile, soapstone counters, walnut wood, and steel make up the artfully styled kitchen.

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