IN 2003, MR WAS HIRED ALONGSIDE DESIGNER JONATHAN ADLER FOR A MAJOR REDESIGN OF THE FORMER MERV GRIFFIN HOTEL AND GIVENCHY SPA/SOON-TO-BE LE PARKER MERIDIEN (AKA THE PARKER PALM SPRINGS.) WHILE ADLER’S TEAM, LEAD BY DESIGNER DARREN BROWN, WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INTERIOR DESIGN AND DECORATION, MR WAS IN CHARGE OF THE ARCHITECTURE. THE GUT RENOVATION CALLED FOR A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF GUEST ROOMS, BATHROOMS AND KITCHENETTES. MR’S MOST NOTABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROJECT WAS THE DECORATIVE CONCRETE BLOCK BRISE SOLEIL LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE HOTEL, WHICH, OVER THE YEARS, HAS BECOME SOMEWHAT OF A PALM SPRINGS ICON, USED IN NATIONAL AUTO ADS AS WELL AS A BACKDROP FOR MILLIONS OF INSTAGRAM POSTS. IN ADDITION TO BEING A STRIKING FOCAL POINT TO WELCOME GUESTS THE STRUCTURE FUNCTIONS AS A SHIELD TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SUNLIGHT AND SOLAR HEAT ON THE BUILDING.

PHOTOS: FRANCOIS DISCHINGER