Inspiration Heights, serene contemplative living. Designed in 1960 by Harold Zook.
This is a continuation on my latest visit to the Joshua Tree Retreat Center. To be honest, I never noticed these buildings before. However, they are now being restored in a collaborative effort by the retreat center and Homestead Modern. Brad Dunning is leading the design and restoration. Needless to say, it's in great hands and soon you'll be able to stay at The Bungalows.
The housing was built on a knoll referred to as Inspiration Heights. The permanent living suites were designed for students and retired members of the organization. They were completely furnished and touted as being "thoroughly modern." In newspaper articles of the day, it was also described as "serene contemplative living."
Harold B Zook A.I.A, a Cornell graduate and former Albert Frey employee, was the architect and O.K. Earl Jr was the builder. Both were based in Pasadena. Earl was fresh off of building the First Sanctuary of Mystical Christianity and The Preceptory of Light buildings on the property.
This was part of a multi-year building plan for what was envisioned as a 1600 acre property. Future plans for what Dr. Dingle referred to as the New City of Mentalphysics included the building of a school, orphanage, ball field, more residences and other necessary facilities.
For background, in 1941, Ding Le Mei (Edwin J. Dingle) established the Mentalphysics Spiritual Teaching and Retreat Center in Yucca Valley (now Joshua Tree).
Zook and O.K. Earl Jr worked together on the Saga Motor Hotel in 1959. This was just before they did the buildings in Joshua Tree.