Esoteric Survey

Scientific Data Systems (SDS) Administration and Engineering Building (1968) by Craig Ellwood Associates (Jim Tyler designed it) . This is one of four buildings Ellwood's firm designed and built at this El Segundo compound.
Max Palevsky, the owner of SDS, also had his friend Craig Ellwood design a desert house for him in 1969. More on that here. 
Source: California Modern: The Architecture of Craig Ellwood
The sculpture out front makes this building a lot more interesting.  Otherwise, it would just be a Miesian office complex. Though, as far as office complexes go, it's a good one and I'm sure it did the job.  Yellow to White to Blue and Black, by George Sugarman





Xerox took over the space after buying SDS in 1970. Now it could be yours!
First floor
Source: California Modern: The Architecture of Craig Ellwood
Ellwood was playing around with hyper-graphics at the SDS complex. Source: Arqueologi del Futuro

Kaufmann house by Richard Neutra, obviously It's hard for me to go to Palm Springs and not stop by.
Palevsky House (1969) by Craig Ellwood, More here.
Edris House (1954) by E. Stewart Willams
Palm Springs Art Museum
Barbara Hepworth
Alexander Girard
Gio Ponti
Billy Haines and Rudolph Schindler
Claire Falkenstein

Judy Chicago and Frank Stella
Ed Ruscha
Richard Diebenkorn I made it to the last day of the Diebenkorn exhibition. It was incredible. This is blurry because the guard was running towards me. I swear there wasn't a sign.

Craig Ellwood for Laverne, custom for the Rosen House Source: California Design, 1930--1965: "Living in a Modern Way"
I.M. Pei, custom for his own apartment
Alexander Girard, custom
George Nelson for Herman Miller
Here is the stereo cabinet above when it's open.
Paul McCobb for Bell and Howell
Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc. Source: 20C Objects
Jens Risom
Dieter Rams for Braun
George Nelson Source: Wright
Albert Frey, custom Source: Wright
Knoll
Pierre Koenig and Gerald McCabe unit from Koenig's Bailey House, CSH 21  Photo by Shulman

Palevsky House by Craig Ellwood, 1969 - Palm Springs, CA
Max Palevsky commissioned this weekend house after Ellwood designed a building for Max's company Scientific Data Systems (SDS)  in El Segundo. Max's wife wanted privacy so Craig suggested a Moroccan walled house. Max, Craig and their wives took a trip to  Morocco, and the rest is history.  The house was completed in 1969.
 There's a funny twist to the story. Max ended up selling his company SDS to Xerox in 1970. He then started a new company and  gave Craig $10K in stock as payment for professional fees. That company was Intel.  Craig would later say the proceeds from the  stock gave him the luxury to retire. His wife Gloria said Craig made that up and she claimed they cashed in the stock in  1975 and basically ended up with $100K each after they divorced- not nearly enough to retire on. Still not bad for a $10k trade.
Source: California Modern: The Architecture of Craig Ellwood
Photo: California Modern: The Architecture of C…

Fidelity South Bay Bank in Manhattan Beach, CA by Craig Ellwood, 1958
Very "Californian-Mies" Source: MidCentArc

Source: California Modern: The Architecture of Craig Ellwood
Source: California Modern: The Architecture of Craig Ellwood
Source: MidCentArc
Craig Ellwood was a sports car kinda guy, so it was fitting that my friend drove us to the bank in his Lamborghini. Even though I think Ellwood was actually more of a Ferrari enthusiast.
Good times