stayner architects restores mid-century 'wave' house in palm desert, california

stayner architects has restored the ‘wave house’, an iconic mid-century residence designed by architect and inventor walter s. white in 1955 for artist miles c. bates in palm desert, california. during the renovation, any portion of the original building that could be repaired was restored, while anything that had to be replaced was custom-fabricated with the help of local craftspeople. the house’s restored roof, undoubtedly its most striking feature as one approaches it from the street, incorporates a curved form that allows it to blend in with the mountains behind it.

all images by tim hirschmann, unless otherwise stated

during the restoration, stayner architects was able to improve less efficient or successful parts of the original design by walter s. white, and make use of new technologies that utilize less resources. ‘we are so pleased to give the wave house back to the public,’ said christian stayner, founder and managing principal of stayner architects. ‘for us, historic preservation is not about ‘turning back the clock’. preservation is a way to honor the original design as well as the life the house has seen throughout its 64 years. it’s about allowing the house to exist across multiple time periods rather than making it an archive of the past. the wave house is not so much a time capsule as it is a timeless space.’

inside, the one-bedroom, two-bathroom house features a continuous original white terrazzo floor that spans the entire interior and extends out into a patio, helping make the space feel more expansive than its modest 900 square feet (84 sqm). underneath thick, textured drywall and many layers of paint, stayner architects found the house’s original natural ash paneling, which adds to the lightness of the space. the steel-framed glass walls and clerestories are original, while doghouse outlets, sliding steel doors, curving glulam beams, and the roof structure were all faithfully restored. white’s original outdoor spaces, including planters he designed, have been restored, and even some of his designs that had not been realized, possible due to the client’s budget at the time, will be added in coming months, such as a circular pool stayner found in the house’s original plans.

the ‘wave house’ is available to rent as an event space and a vacation rental, and is just the first part of the ‘desert wave’ compound to be completed. the ‘desert wave’ is a micro-boutique hotel that will celebrate coachella valley history, culture, and mid-century design. the location will be available for events, artist residencies and group stays.

archival image courtesy of stayner architects