Tharp Studios

Tharp Studios Full-service, collaborative firm specializing in modern residential, commercial + furniture design.

WHO

Principal Ryan Tharp earned his degree in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning and has held positions in New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, San Diego and Amsterdam. His passion for modern design is heavily influenced through his travels and ongoing study of mid-century architecture in Southern California. Ryan is a Board Member

for the American Institute of Architects California Desert Chapter and a past Board Member for Art Reach San Diego. He has served as a guest juror at College of the Desert, New School of Architecture and Design and regularly volunteers for home tours during Palm Springs Modernism Week. His work has received coverage in local and national publications including: The Desert Sun, Palm Springs Life Magazine, Bon Appetit, San Diego Magazine and Refinery29. WHAT

We design buildings, renovate space, build furniture and formulate brands for small businesses. Our approach on a project is to discover its 'essence' by telling a story. The story often begins with concepts that manifest and transform into built form. The concepts unfold through careful study of client needs, client rituals, site analysis, context, scale, orientation, views, light, ventilation and material. An important part of this research includes referencing historic examples of similar project types overlaid with today's sustainable mindset. Everything is considered part of the whole and collectively combines to reveal the spirit of each project. HOW

From concept through construction, we take the time to ensure the client has a full understanding of the process from start to finish. We collaborate with building departments, sustainability consultants, engineers, contractors, artists and craftsmen whose individual skills are essential to create the final product. We understand the challenges of design and construction and seize the opportunity to work together as a team to deliver clean, timeless solutions. Since this behind-the-scenes collaboration is rarely seen, we use social media as a platform to highlight the stages of the process. We see this collaborative effort as another important component in revealing the project's story. This story gives meaning and value to the project, to our clients, to the design profession and to the greater community.

Attended a very informative Be Original Americas roundtable discussion ‘Originality Deconstructed : Good Carpenters Cele...
02/24/2023

Attended a very informative Be Original Americas roundtable discussion ‘Originality Deconstructed : Good Carpenters Celebrate Their Tools.’ Afterward, we toured a display of deconstructed products (and the tools used to make them) by well-known designers. Thank you FRITZ HANSEN, Crypton Fabric, Lumens.

Our favorite home in Palm Springs is for sale. Only $25 million!
10/23/2020

Our favorite home in Palm Springs is for sale. Only $25 million!

The Palm Springs, Calif., property known as the Kaufmann Desert House has become one of the architect’s most recognizable projects.

Perfect afternoon at the   preview event during Modernism Week.  Thank you Luxe Interiors + Design for inviting us!     ...
02/19/2020

Perfect afternoon at the preview event during Modernism Week. Thank you Luxe Interiors + Design for inviting us!

12/19/2019

Best part of a job is seeing the details come to life. Each trade offers valuable skills that contribute to the final product.

Concept diagram for Joshua Tree Reach House.  The ‘reach’ concept was derived from several site-specific features:  scen...
11/15/2019

Concept diagram for Joshua Tree Reach House. The ‘reach’ concept was derived from several site-specific features: scenic landscape, dramatic night sky and exceptional views. Our objective was to design a home that fully integrated with these natural elements.

The open 5-acre property allows the structure to comfortably stretch in all directions. Wall planes reach horizontally connecting with the desert landscape to protect the home from prevailing winds. Vertical planes reach through roof openings connecting the sky to spaces below. Distant views are reached through walls of glass.

Due to the site’s remote location, conventional utilities were not available. The only option was to reach into the earth for well water and to the sun for solar energy. These sustainable resources provide the building the basic necessities to be its own self-supporting entity.

➡️ Horizontal walls reach to landscape.
⬆️ Vertical walls reach to sky.
↔️ Visual reach through walls of glass.
🌞 Solar reach for off-grid power.
🌏 Earth reach for well water.

09/12/2019

Shadow studies.

Meet Joseph, a second-year College of the Desert architecture student and intern at Tharp Studios.  He’s participating i...
04/10/2019

Meet Joseph, a second-year College of the Desert architecture student and intern at Tharp Studios. He’s participating in Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI)'s Energize Colleges Internship Program which helps students gain real-world experience by contributing to projects related to energy careers. We appreciate Joseph’s contributions and wish him the best as he continues his studies at Cal Poly College of Architecture & Environmental Design.

Schematic design presentation for a new residence on a 5 acre site in Joshua Tree.
09/04/2018

Schematic design presentation for a new residence on a 5 acre site in Joshua Tree.

Our live/work space is featured in Palm Springs Life Magazine, Palm Springs California.  Many thanks to Lawrence Karol a...
05/30/2018

Our live/work space is featured in Palm Springs Life Magazine, Palm Springs California. Many thanks to Lawrence Karol and Jim Powers.

Architectural designer Ryan Tharp of Tharp Studios meshed his personal and professional worlds to create an ideal live/work environment in Palm Springs.

Photo shoot with Jeffrey Kilmer.
02/14/2018

Photo shoot with Jeffrey Kilmer.

AIA California Desert Chapter board meeting at our studio.  Thanks to William Kopelk and Mark Davis for stopping by to d...
10/10/2017

AIA California Desert Chapter board meeting at our studio. Thanks to William Kopelk and Mark Davis for stopping by to discuss our Chapter’s involvement in Modernism Week 2018.

Interesting shadow block and overhang details from a project interview at Seven Lakes Country Club (Richard Harrison, 19...
06/28/2017

Interesting shadow block and overhang details from a project interview at Seven Lakes Country Club (Richard Harrison, 1966).

Address

200 E Francis Drive
Palm Springs, CA
92262

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+17604093838

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