Palermo House
Palm Springs, California, Nov. 2024
“The Palermo House is a tribute to Palm Springs Modernism” - Christopher Breedy
The inspiration for the Palermo House was born from Breedys trip to Palm Springs in 2024. After participating in Modernism Week, celebrating mid-century architecture and lifestyle, he returned to Ottawa with the intent to translate the photos and sketches done on the trip into a residence that celebrates the legacy of Palm Springs.
“I took over 1700 photos during Modernism week and wanted to create residence that encapsulated all the homes we visited” - Christopher Breedy
From the street, the Palermo House is an exercise in restraint. The initial encounter was designed to be one of privacy. The facade is defined by a low profile and a series of white concrete masonry bricks, creating a solid boundary.
As you approach, the house begins to open. A long, shaded pathway flanked by tropical greenery leads to the main entrance.
Once inside, you are met with a light-filled interior created by the floor-to-ceiling windows that frames the distant mountain ranges. The public areas is an open-plan, prioritizing seamless flow between spaces, perfect for entertaining. The kitchen used white oak cabinetry to bring warmth, colour and texture. A choice was made to replace the traditional backsplash with windows, allowing the cook to engage with the garden while cooking.
The living area is anchored by a fireplace, with timber cabinet for storage and media. Every piece of furniture was selected to keep the sightlines to the landscape unobstructed.
The courtyard was a important feature when designing a home inspired by Palm Springs. Its a gathering space and a way for light enter the dark areas found in the middle of the house. Considering the desert climate, deep, cantilevered roof overhangs were incorporated.
These outdoor areas provide shade while allowing the interior living spaces to expand into the yard.
The goal of this project was to connect each room to the outdoors and maximize view to the surrounding landscape.
In the private quarters, the material palette remains consistent. In the primary suite, vertical wood slats create a backdrop for the bed, mirroring the vertical elements on the exterior.
The sunken firepit, lap pool and pool-side loungers encompasses the Palm Springs lifestyle of relaxation.
The Palermo House embodies desert modernism experiences from his trip to Palm Springs. It is a celebration of simplicity, and a testament to the idea that architecture should embrace and coexist with its environment