Our series covering modernist architecture in Palm Springs continues with the city's municipal building, designed by Swiss architect Albert Frey to include large canopies over its entrances ? one with palm trees growing through its centre.
Photography by Stephanie Kloss, from California Dreaming
Frey ? who was prolific in the city ? completed the Palm Springs City Hall in 1952, in the modernist style popular of the location and era.
Like many of his designs, the building is integrated into the surrounding terrain. Its outdoor walkways appeal to the sunny, arid climate suitable for outdoor spaces, while landscaping includes sections of grassy lawns with flower beds and mature trees.

The low-lying structure is organised around its main entrance, where a flat roof covered with corrugated metal extends from the doorway. Painted pale turquoise underneath and yellow around the sides, this expansive canopy creates a shaded area for approaching visitors on the sun-drenched south facade. Photographer unknown
A giant hole in the centre of the entrance canopy allows a group of three palm trees to grow up through, around the base of which are curved benches. Embossed lettering spells out the building's name on the front of the portico.
A secondary entrance to the right is also protected by a canopy. This one is circular ? as if cut out from the first ? supported by four cylindrical pillars, and painted white. A motto that reads "The people are the city" wraps around its fr...