Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Design and Architecture

    Design and Architecture

    Revitalizing a Desert Architectural Treasure

    Sunnylands , the Palm Springs estate of the late Leonore and Walter Annenberg, has hosted a great many dignitaries over the years as a retreat and summit site for world leaders, philanthropists and ambassadors. On March 1 it will re-open to the public after a dramatic restoration and expansion.

    • rss
    • Share
    By Frances Anderton • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Sunnylands, the Palm Springs estate of the late Leonore and Walter Annenberg, has hosted a great many dignitaries over the years as a retreat and summit site for world leaders, philanthropists and ambassadors. On March 1 it will re-open to the public after a dramatic restoration and expansion. The Palm Springs Art Museum's architecture and design curator Sidney Williams speaks about the significance of the original home, which was designed by modernist master A. Quincy Jones. Then architect Frederick Fisher details how his firm was tapped to restore the structure and build a new visitor's center—all while making the entire complex more sustainable and energy-efficient. Starting March 1, the estate is open to the public Thursdays through Sundays, and tours are available for $35 per person.

    The new visitor's center, designed by Frederick Fisher & Partners

    Top image: The historic Sunnylands estate, designed by A. Quincy Jones

    The full episode

    3 of 3
    Swimsuits, Swimming Pools and the Birth of Modern Body Culture
    1. 0:00Exploring Fashion's "Total Look"
    2. 14:55The Pool as a Cultural Icon
    3. 23:14Revitalizing a Desert Architectural TreasureYou’re reading this
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sidney Williams

      Curator of Architecture and Design, Palm Springs Art Museum

    • KCRW placeholder

      Frederick Fisher

      Architect and Principal of Frederick Fisher and Partners

      Culture

    The full episode

    3 of 3
    Swimsuits, Swimming Pools and the Birth of Modern Body Culture
    1. 0:00Exploring Fashion's "Total Look"
    2. 14:55The Pool as a Cultural Icon
    3. 23:14Revitalizing a Desert Architectural TreasureYou’re reading this
    Back to Design and Architecture