In this article we will explore everything related to William Krisel, a topic of great relevance today that has generated different opinions and points of view. William Krisel has been present throughout history, impacting various areas of society and culture. We will learn about its origins, its evolution over time and its impact on people's lives. We will analyze the different aspects that revolve around William Krisel, from its implications on the economy to its influence on the way we relate to each other. Through this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of William Krisel and discover its importance in the current context.
William Krisel (November 14, 1924 – June 5, 2017) was an American architect best known for his pioneering designs of mid-century residential and commercial architecture. Most of his designs are for affordable homes, especially tract housing, with a modern aesthetic.
Early life and education
Krisel was born in 1924 in Shanghai, China. He moved with his American parents to Beverly Hills, California, in 1937. His father worked as a distributor for United Artists in and brought the family back to the United States after the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War He returned to China during WWII, acting as an interpreter.
With Dan Palmer, Krisel formed Palmer & Krisel architects. Krisel designed more than 30,000 homes throughout Southern California; the total number of houses and condominiums designed by the firm probably exceeds 40,000. He frequently collaborated with the Alexander Construction Company. By the late 1950s, he and Palmer were working with seven out of the 10 largest homebuilders in America. In addition to Palm Springs, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and Indian Wells, California large tracts of homes designed by the firm were built in Las Vegas, Florida, and Arizona.
In the 1950s Krisel helped to nearly double the size of Palm Springs by building 2,500 tract homes that still exist today. Beginning in 1956 with their first Palm Springs tract, Twin Palms, Krisel, the firm's lead designer for desert houses, used variation of orientation and roofline, integration of indoor and outdoor living, and careful use of standardized elements to make modernist design affordable. The houses facilitated indoor-outdoor living in the desert with sheltered patios and pools and in some cases breezeways; clerestory windows improved air circulation while bringing light into the house. The interior designs included flexible room dividers to adapt the floorplan to the owners' preferences.
Krisel designed the iconic Del Prado condominium tower on Balboa Park for San Diego developer Bill Starr.