Hugh Michael Kaptur (born May 22, 1931) is an American architect whose practice is primarily in California's Coachella Valley. During his fifty years as an architect,[2] Kaptur has designed residential homes, apartment complexes, civic buildings, including two of Palm Springs' fire stations, commercial office buildings and hotels.[3]
Hugh M. Kaptur | |
|---|---|
 Kaptur in 2013 | |
| Born | May 22, 1931 (aged 92) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Spouse | Helen Dzo Dzo (d. 2015)[1] |
| Children | 3 |
Design career edit
The bulk of his work is in the Mid-Century modern style. He is considered a contemporary[4] of William Cody, Donald Wexler, Richard Harrison and Howard Lapham. He was born in Michigan, where his father was a designer in the Packard and GM studios. After his honorable discharge from the Marines, he moved to Palm Springs in 1956 where he apprenticed in the offices of Wexler and Harrison.[5] After being laid off, Kaptur went on his own and designed several model homes for the Ranch Construction Company.[6] In 1962, he formed a partnership with licensed architect Robert Ricciardi so that he could get the commission for Palm Springs Fire Station #3. After that partnership broke up, in 1965 he formed a company with Larry Lapham, noted architect Howard Lapham's son which was to last ten years. His last partnership was with James Cioffi, after which he semi-retired in 1992. Kaptur designed several notable residences,[7] including those for Steve McQueen [8][9][10] and William Holden;[11][12] municipal buildings – Fire Station #3 and #4[13] in Palm Springs; apartment buildings – the Caballeros complex; and numerous commercial hotels[14] and office buildings.
Kaptur had a Golden Palm Star dedicated to him on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars on February 14, 2014.[15] He is featured in a documentary film, Quiet Elegance,[16] that was released at Modernism Week 2014 in Palm Springs.
References edit
- ^ "Helen Dzo Dzo Kaptur Obituary (1929 - 2015) the Desert Sun".
- ^ Julian, Robert (April 2011). "From the Top Down". Palm Springs Life. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ Stone, Abby. "Modernism Week Story". Modernism Week. Archived from the original on November 23, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ Engel, Allison (December 2008). "Steve McQueen made Hugh Kaptur's Southridge house his own". Palm Springs Life. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ Fralic, Shelley (October 28, 2013). "Discover the 'other' Palm Springs". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ Eitzinger, Thomas (November 7, 2012). "Ranch Club Home Renovation". Architizer.com. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ Schellenbaum, Amy. "Inside Modernism Week's Showpiece: The 1959 Seva House". Curbed. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
- ^ Lyon, Ken (November 2017). "The Steve McQueen Residence Historic Resources Report".
- ^ "The Steve McQueen Residence Restoration Project". September 2021.
- ^ Glick Kudler, Adrian (November 19, 2009). "Kaptur houses on Southridge". Curbed Los Angeles. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ Variety (November 19, 2012). "Allison Janney loses Palm Springs Gateway to Foreclosure".
- ^ ModCom, PS. "Hugh Kaptur Bio". Modcom. Palm Springs Modern Committee. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ Curry, Neil. "Architect Hugh Kaptur". House and Homes Palm Springs. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ Triangle, Inn. hotel "Kaptur's Commercial Design". Triangle Inn. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "Palm Springs Modernism Week schedule announced". KESQ Television news. September 27, 2013. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ "Quiet Elegance: The Work of Hugh Kaptur". This 'n That Films. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
External links edit
- Hugh M. Kaptur bio and photos – The Palm Springs Modern Committee website
- Hugh Kaptur – Palm Springs Life – December 2013
- Modern Master – Palm Springs Life – February 2014 *