Modernism Week | “Going, Going, Gone” – Architecture and Preservation in Rancho Mirage

Melissa Riche, author of Mod Mirage – The Midcentury Architecture of Rancho Mirage (Gibbs Smith, 2018), and founder of local nonprofit, Preservation Mirage, focuses on significant homes in Rancho Mirage, many at the historic country clubs, that have been lost to demolition and aggressive remodels since the 1980s.

Long before the public outcry over the shocking demolition of the Maslon House (Richard Neutra, 1962) in 2002, changing design tastes of the 1980s and 1990s wreaked havoc on the desert’s modernist gems.  With images and video footage, the talk illustrates ‘before and after’ destruction caused by aggressive remodeling, neglect, and naïve disregard for the unique history of this part of the desert. Homes and communities under current threat will also be highlighted.

In addition, Ms. Riche will talk about preservation initiatives to educate the community and to push for a much-needed updated survey of the city’s historic resources.

Purchase an Advocate ticket and become an Advocate Level Member of Preservation Mirage for one year, which includes entrance to this presentation, quarterly email newsletter, Preservation Alerts,  and a digital download of the Architectural Map to plan your own self-guided tour of Rancho Mirage’s beautiful midcentury modern architecture. (Total value of $67! Ticket buyer agrees to have contact information provided to Preservation Mirage to obtain these benefits).  preservationmirage.org

Following the presentation, Ms. Riche will be signing copies of her book, Mod Mirage, which documents the innovative midcentury architecture and intriguing social history of Rancho Mirage, California.

Melissa Riche is a writer, researcher, architecture enthusiast, preservationist, media consultant and founder of local nonprofit, Preservation Mirage. She has written about architecture and design for twenty years, including articles for Atomic Ranch magazine and the Desert Sun newspaper, and historic nominations for the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation. Melissa and her husband, photographer Jim Riche, live in Tamarisk Ranchos, a William Krisel–designed midcentury modern community in Rancho Mirage.