Beneath the desert sun, perched on the edge of the Palm Springs ridge, stands an icon of modernism reborn—a shimmering, crystalline ode to William Cody’s genius; the Southridge Glass House, also referred to as the Goldbergh Residence by Modernism Week. Originally crafted in 1962 for the Goldberg family, this Mid-Century Modern masterpiece has been meticulously reimagined by project designer, Michael Johnston, marrying history with contemporary elegance.
Everywhere you look in the home, you will see an open view of mountains, deserts and history. It’s peaceful, it’s living in nature, it’s romantic. To gaze upon it is to dream. To live within its walls is to embrace a life steeped in light, nature and unbridled luxury.
A Journey of Revival
Though standing now as a breathtaking beauty, the journey to restore the Southridge Glass House was not without its challenges.
“Sixteen years before we bought it, my husband David and I visited this house when it was an Airbnb. It was threadbare, suffering from years of deferred maintenance,” Johnston recalls.
By the time the couple became its owners, the pool was dry, the landscaping had withered, and the only thriving residents were palm trees and pests. Yet, even in its disrepair, the bones of William Cody’s vision shone through.
Today, those bones have been lovingly revitalized. The atrium—a centerpiece of Cody’s design—has been reopened with lush landscaping and a black granite water feature that doubles as a 10-person spa. It is both an homage and evolution, honoring the past while embracing modern luxury.
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The Mountains As Neighbors
The home is a dialogue between architecture and the desert’s infinite beauty. From sunrise to starlight, the house dissolves the barrier between indoors and outdoors. Walls of glass blur the boundaries, inviting the dramatic hues of the desert sky to seep into every corner.
Johnston’s vision is rooted in the belief that a home should nurture the soul, offering moments for contemplation and connection.
“I work hard at creating a seamless movement of gathering places for people,” he says.
Whether it’s a gathering beneath the stars or a solitary cocktail on the patio, the home cultivates a rich communion with both nature and personal history.
Crafting Connections Through Design
The Palm Springs lifestyle is about creating an uninterrupted indoor-outdoor experience. For Johnston, this was an ethos that defined its modernism and was crucial throughout the home.
“My intention was to honor William Cody’s original design and make it modern and livable,” Johnston explains.
Materiality was key. Terrazzo flows seamlessly from the infinity pool—now a zero-edge marvel cantilevered over the valley floor—into the home’s interiors. Gardens extend indoors, dissolving the boundaries between architecture and landscape.
“I love this house, but I am particularly proud of the new pool. It is the one feature that I completely redesigned, turning it 90 degrees and creating a zero-edge infinity pool that appears to cantilever over the valley floor,” he shares.
Even the home’s practicality exudes beauty. Johnston replaced the original single-pane windows with energy-efficient glass and added solar panels and batteries, reducing the environmental footprint. The living room sliders now span 24 feet, opening to breathtaking desert vistas—a feature as functional as it is striking.
To step into the Southridge Glass House is to enter a world where nature and design coexist in perfect harmony. The infinity pool mirrors the boundless sky; the glass walls reflect the rugged grandeur of the mountains. Every detail—from the floors to the gardens is a meditation on the beauty of life in the desert.
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This is not just luxury living; it is poetic living, a celebration of history and an invitation to dream. And for those fortunate enough to call it home, it is nothing short of paradise.
A Legacy Preserved
The Southridge Glass House is more than a residence; it is a living museum of Mid-Century Modern design. Awarded the 2018 Residential Rehabilitation Award by the Palm Springs Modern Committee, it stands as a testament to timeless beauty.
“It gives me satisfaction that I have successfully honored Cody’s artistic vision while still making it my own,” Johnston reflects. This balance—of reverence and reinvention—is what sets the Glass House apart and makes it a jewel in Palm Springs.
Tours of this incredible residence are available for the first time in a tour during Modernism Week this February. More information is at modernismweek.com.
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