Donald Wexler

• Name — Donald Wexler • Born — 23 January 1926 • Birthplace — Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US • Died — 26 June 2015 • Place of death — Palm Desert, California, US • Education — University of Minnesota • Significant Buildings — * Desert Water Agency, Palm Springs, California • Dinah Shore Residence, Palm Springs, California • El Rancho Vista Estates, Palm Springs, California • Larson Justice Center, Indio, California • Merrill Lynch Building, Palm Springs, California • Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs, California • Royal Hawaiian Estates, Palm Springs, California • Steel Development Houses, Palm Springs, California • Birth Name — Donald Allan Wexler • Children — 3

Wexler was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1926 and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946. Following his service, he attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1950, funded through the G.I. Bill.

After graduation, Wexler worked briefly for the renowned architect Richard Neutra in Los Angeles, CA. He moved to Palm Springs in 1952 to work with architect William Cody, further immersing himself in the emerging Desert Modernism movement.

Later in 1952, Wexler established a partnership with Richard A. Harrison, forming the firm Wexler & Harrison. The firm was responsible for numerous schools, civic buildings, and residential projects across the Coachella Valley. One of their most notable collaborations was the Steel Development Houses (1961–1962), a series of seven prefabricated homes in Palm Springs built in partnership with the Alexander Construction Company, US Steel, and architect Bernard Perlin. The project aimed to produce 38 all-steel houses but was curtailed due to escalating steel costs. These homes featured light-gauge steel framing, prefabricated panels, and open-plan designs that maximized natural light and indoor-outdoor flow.

Following the end of his partnership with Harrison, Wexler founded Donald A. Wexler Associates in 1963. His solo career was marked by several landmark designs: • Palm Springs International Airport Terminal (1966): Designed with Charles Luckman and Associates, the airport features a tensile steel roof and minimalist modernist forms. • Dinah Shore Residence (1964): A steel-and-glass private home in Palm Springs later purchased by actor Leonardo DiCaprio. • Merrill Lynch Building (1971): A New Formalist commercial building characterized by steel framing, concrete block facades, and solar bronze glass. Wexler's practice was intentionally small and regionally focused. His firm merged with WWCOT in 2000, which was later acquired by DLR Group.

• El Rancho Vista Estates (1959–1962), Palm Springs, CA • Steel Development Houses (1961–1962), Palm Springs, CA • Dinah Shore Residence (1964), Palm Springs, CA • Palm Springs International Airport Terminal (1966), Palm Springs, CA • Merrill Lynch Building (1971), Palm Springs, CA • Royal Hawaiian Estates (1960), Palm Springs, CA

Wexler married twice. He was the father of three sons, Glen Wexler, Gary Wexler, and Brian Wexler. Wexler lived in the Coachella Valley for nearly six decades, residing in Palm Desert, California, at the time of his death on June 26, 2015, at the age of 89.

The following is established of the heading itself.

The following works and productions are recorded by name or by count. Institutional cataloguing adds that donald Wexler is recorded with the occupation architect. Institutional cataloguing adds that donald Wexler is recorded as a citizen of United States. Recorded with the gender male. Born on 23 January 1926. Wexler died on 26 June 2015.