THE DESERT SUN
SEPTEMBER 19, 2014
One of the most pivotal — and tiny — examples of early modern American architecture could find a new home in the desert. In the world of architecture and design, the tiny home is regarded as a sort of signpost, one that brought the international style — already popular in Europe through the Bauhaus movement and figures like Le Corbusier — to the United States. “To have something like this, as iconic as this, and a permanent fixture, will only add to what’s been the growing trend of people coming here to tour our wonderful architecture.” “People come from all over the world for Albert’s work. And it puts it in some context. In many ways, the Aluminaire House helped Frey eventually find his way to Palm Springs.” “When they were done with the project, Albert Frey was a new émigré to the United States and was casting about for what he was to do next,” said Conrad. “And A. Lawrence Kocher said, ‘go to Palm Springs and build this building for my brother, J.J. Kocher.” The Kocher-Samson building, a Class I historic structure, still sits on North Palm Canyon Drive. “And so he came to Palm Springs for that. And he built that and ended up staying here,” she added. “And his whole body of work, basically, is in Palm Springs.”