Save The Wave - Miles Bates House

The Historical Society of Palm Desert is raising funds to help save and restore the Miles Bates house in Palm Desert, California, designed by architect Walter S. White.  All funds donated will be dedicated exclusively to the restoration of this house.

You can help by contributing your tax-deductible donation and Save The Wave!

In a separate fundraising effort, the Historical Society raised money to designate the house a historical landmark with a listing in the National Register, indicating that this is a significant work by a master architect. That nomination was successful, and the Bates house was placed on the National Register effective February 2, 2018.

An auction was held to sell the house on Febuary 24, 2018 and the house was purchased by a Los Angeles architectural firm that intends to restore the house. Now we want to incentivize the new owners with a program to reimburse their efforts at a two-to-one ratio. Help Save The Wave with a tax-deductible donation!

Here's the history:
The Bates house in Palm Desert, California is a unique example of Walter S. White's amazing vision. The wave, or "roller coaster" roof is one-of-a-kind. White patented a method to use dowels to make the roof curve to imitate the mountains in the background, and only one was built. Commissioned by eclectic artist and playboy Miles C. Bates, the house was built in 1954 and is a premier example of mid-century modern architecture, with curved walls, uniquely-shaped clerestory windows and an underground cooling system.  After years of neglect it has fallen into disrepair, although still structurally sound. 

                                      Save the Wave!

Images courtesy of the Art, Design and Architecture Museum, UC Santa Barbara