BOOM Community – The vision of 10 architects for Palm Springs, CA

BOOM Community is a $250 million desert oasis planned for Palm Springs, California. The 300 residence development is the brainchild of BOOM Communities, Inc. real estate investment company and a group of 10 architects set on creating not just a community, but a piece of modern artwork. The firms involved in designing BOOM are: J Mayer H, L2 Tsionov-Vitkon, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Hollwich Kushner, Rudin Donner, Joel Sanders Architects, Lot-Ek, Sadar + Vuga, Arakawa + Gins, and SurfaceDesign.

At its core BOOM is envisioned as a desert village designed for the retired gay community, but developers are encouraging all to apply for residence. According to the BOOM website, BOOM “showcases inspired architecture, world-class entertainment and nightlife, as well as stimulating sports and activities… BOOM is about living, not retiring – about inclusion, not seclusion”.

BOOM has the dream homes of architecture and design lovers. There are Dr. Seuss-like apartments by J Mayer H, wave inspired residences by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and grove-like residences by Sadar + Vuga. But residences are just the beginning in this architectural oasis in the desert. The 10 architects each designed unique buildings to serve as community hubs in BOOM. BOOM was designed with health and fitness in mind and designers included space for an outdoor track, sports center, climbing wall, gyms, spas, swimming pools, and even a “healing funhouse”.

Creating entertainment and nightlife spaces were also major design goals. BOOM includes outdoor theater and performance spaces, restaurants, nightclubs, an event center, and a large outdoor shopping arcade. Parking and vehicle spaces are incorporated into the design, but BOOM is largely meant to be a pedestrian friendly and pedestrian driven community; many of the neighborhoods are tightly packed residences and streets are more like walkways. All neighborhoods were designed with sustainability in mind and BOOM as a whole will be aiming for LEED certification. Construction is slated to begin in 2012.