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MILES C. BATES HOUSE
Miles C. Bates house, located at 73 -697 Santa Rosa Way was designed by Walter S.
White. Walter White is considered by many to be Palm Desert's architect, havi ng
designed over 65 structures here, many of which are still in existence. The location of
the home for Bates is located north of Highway 111 in the area first known as Palm
Village, which had previously been occupied by date and citrus ranches. In 1951 P alm
Village and Palm Desert united to become Palm Desert. At the time of construction in
1955, the plans for the home specify removal of certain existing trees which are
spaced evenly across the site. Early photos of the Bates house show citrus trees
located just south of the home, so it appears the home was constructed along the
northern edge of an existing citrus grove. Over time the former Palm Village area was
developed into a residential area.
The roof of the Bates house is unique. Its curving form was designed using long
wooden dowels roughly 2.5 inches in diameter alternated with bioconcave elements to
give it a wavelike shape. White appears to have considered the siting of the home in
relation to the Santa Rosa Mountains in the distance, as the rolling roof line follows the
profile of those southern mountains.
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