Small Dreams: 50 Palm Springs Trailer Homes

Jeffrey Milstein explores the intriguing repetition of forms through his examination of classic Palm Springs trailer park homes. Each of these homes is built from the same basic components—a box-like “house,” a flanking carport, and a patio shelter. By photographing each trailer from the same perspective, Milstein highlights the unique ways owners have personalized their homes, showcasing an array of architectural styles ranging from Chinese and early Egyptian to desert modern. Originally constructed from surplus sheet metal using WWII aircraft technology, these compact homes were initially simple. Over time, residents have remodeled them, adding decorative facades and incorporating architectural elements typically found in more upscale neighborhoods.