Palm Springs Convention Center

The City of Palm Springs wanted a new image for the convention center. They wanted it to convey a sense of place and civic pride.  Fentress Architects’ was chosen in large part because their design philosophy—contextual regionalism—aligned perfectly with this objective.

To begin, Fentress’ design reversed the orientation of the original 1985 convention center, which belied the natural order of the site and its connection to the city.  Then, the design team drew upon the local desert environment and San Jacinto Mountain Range for inspiration.  The building’s strong roofline mimics the dramatic inclines of the mountains, while the sandstone pylons that line the west facade are reminiscent of eroded mountain edges.  A deep roof canopy, which shields the building’s entry from the sun, takes cues from rock formations found at the nearby Palm Canyon. Artistic desert landscaping borders the Center’s outdoor meeting space. The result is earthy architecture, reminiscent of a modern Stonehenge.