Charles DuBois is most widely known for A-frame entrances for homes in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood that he designed in the late 1950s and early ’60s. These homes (15 of them are still standing) entered the modern lexicon as “Swiss Miss” houses because somewhere along the way, someone decided they were reminiscent of chalets found in the Swiss countryside.
There is considerable irony in this error. According to an interview with DuBois historian Ryan Harris on Atomic Ranch, the hip architectural website, there was never anything Swiss, Austrian, or Alp-ish about DuBois’ design. Harris told Atomic Ranch that a realtor who knew nothing about design called them “chalets.” Chalets morphed into Swiss Miss and an enduring fallacy was born. In fact, DuBois simply added his own twist to one of the most popular fads of the era: Polynesian architecture.
There are several theories about how the fad gained traction. (Sven Kirsten, author of “Tiki Pop,” is an expert on the subject.) But, the style was ubiquitous in Palm Springs. Don the Beachcomber was a popular tiki bar at Via Lola and North Palm Canyon Drive; the annual May luau at the Desert Air Hotel (now the site of Rancho Las Palmas) was hugely popular; Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison created the Royal Hawaiian condos in 1959; and one of the most popular resort wear shops in downtown Palm Springs was Waltah Clarke Hawaiian Imports.
The other fallacy is that these Polynesian-inspired entrances were the extent of DuBois’ contribution to Palm Springs architecture (though he and a builder named Joe Dunas collaborated on the 22-unit Polynesian-tinged Sunrise L’anai complex). In fact, both DuBois and William Krisel were equally active in building out Vista Las Palmas. (They both worked with the Alexander Construction Company.) And DuBois’ most ambitious local project was a 254-home development and clubhouse called Canyon Estates, located next to Indian Canyons Golf Resort. There were six floor plans to choose from … all in a variety of styles, including Spanish Revival, modern, and, of course, a touch of Hawaiian. DuBois was equally active throughout Southern California, creating wonderful mid-century modern neighborhoods in East Pasadena, Palos Verdes, and Woodland Hills.
While Krisel’s work is often synonymous with butterfly roofs and clerestory windows, these features found their way into the work of most of the local architects working in Palm Springs at the time … and DuBois was certainly no exception.
One of the most magnificent examples of DuBois’ embrace of mid-century modern design elements is now for sale at 729 N. High Road in Vista Las Palmas. The first feature that stands out about the four-bedroom, four-bath home is the triple flat butterfly roof, which creates a dramatic roofline. Another outstanding feature of the home is the way it’s sited on the 17,000-square-foot lot, according to Keith Markovitz, real estate agent for the home. The lot is one of the largest in the 330-home neighborhood, and its orientation could not be more dramatic. The rear of the house features large windows in every room that look out across the expansive pool and lawn to the San Jacinto Mountains, which tower over the neighborhood. It is, without a doubt, one of the most breathtaking views in both the immediate and surrounding neighborhoods.
Markovitz says few upgrades were completed by the current or previous owners other than a new HVAC system. This is a good thing. No one came in at any point with some muddle-headed vision to impose late ’80s Wall Street wolf opulence on the open-plan design. It retained all of the classic Alexander touches such as floor-to-ceiling glass, post-and-beam construction, tongue-and-groove ceilings, and a pitched roofline. The only addition to the original floor plan was a new powder room. The interior is subtle and tasteful. The cream-colored tiles, the warm tones of the cabinetry and woodwork, and the neutral tones throughout create a comfortable, restful interior that is elegant without ostentation.
The house is currently on the market for $3,495,000. To discuss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one of DuBois’ masterpieces, contact Markovitz of TTK Represents at 760-641-0628.
