Hugh M. Kaptur Explained

Hugh M. Kaptur
Birth Date:22 May 1931 (aged 92)
Birth Place:Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation:Architect
Spouse:Helen Dzo Dzo (d. 2015)[1]
Children:3

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]

Design career

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.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Helen Dzo Dzo Kaptur Obituary (1929 - 2015) the Desert Sun.
  2. News: Julian. Robert. From the Top Down. November 24, 2013. Palm Springs Life. April 2011.
  3. Web site: Stone. Abby. Modernism Week Story. Modernism Week. November 24, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131123192716/http://www.modernismweek.com/hugh-kaptur-from-mid-century-to-our-century-part-one/. November 23, 2013.
  4. News: Engel. Allison. Steve McQueen made Hugh Kaptur's Southridge house his own. November 24, 2013. Palm Springs Life. December 2008.
  5. News: Fralic. Shelley. Discover the 'other' Palm Springs. November 24, 2013. The Vancouver Sun. October 28, 2013.
  6. Web site: Eitzinger. Thomas. Ranch Club Home Renovation. November 7, 2012. Architizer.com. November 24, 2013.
  7. Web site: Schellenbaum. Amy. Inside Modernism Week's Showpiece: The 1959 Seva House. Curbed. January 22, 2014.
  8. Web site: Lyon. Ken. The Steve McQueen Residence Historic Resources Report. November 2017.
  9. Web site: The Steve McQueen Residence Restoration Project. September 2021.
  10. Web site: Glick Kudler. Adrian. Kaptur houses on Southridge. November 19, 2009. Curbed Los Angeles. November 24, 2013.
  11. Web site: Variety. Allison Janney loses Palm Springs Gateway to Foreclosure. November 19, 2012.
  12. Web site: ModCom. PS. Hugh Kaptur Bio. Modcom. Palm Springs Modern Committee. November 24, 2013.
  13. Web site: Curry. Neil. Architect Hugh Kaptur. House and Homes Palm Springs. November 24, 2013.
  14. Web site: Triangle. Inn. hotel Kaptur's Commercial Design. Triangle Inn. November 24, 2013.
  15. News: Palm Springs Modernism Week schedule announced. November 24, 2013. KESQ Television news. September 27, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130930214238/http://www.kesq.com/news/palm-springs-modernism-week-schedule-announced/-/233092/22147888/-/kv40s8z/-/index.html. September 30, 2013.
  16. Web site: Quiet Elegance: The Work of Hugh Kaptur. This 'n That Films. November 24, 2013.

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