While outside of the core "mid-century" development,
this Borrego Springs home located at de Anza Country Club
home is unusual for its design during Borrego's second major
building boom of the late 1970's and early 1980's.
During this period much of the development was in the "southwest"
style led by the DiGiorgio development of Rams Hill Country
Club and Estates. The style can also be seen in construction
of this period at de Anza Country Club. This home carries
forward a mid-century ethic of utilizing clean lines and large
expanses of glass to blur the difference between indoors and
outdoors.
The home was designed and built by Maurie McKenzie, born in
1918, who fell in love with architecture and drawing while
in high school. He was accepted into the USC School of Architecture
prior to World War II, but was convinced by a doctor friend
to switch to medical school, which he regretted.1
Following the war, McKenzie entered his father's duplicating
machine business. Throughout his career he continued his love
of architecture, designing his firm's three offices (1965,
1972 and 1977) and four private homes including a San Clemente
home in 1965 where he lived until his death in early 2008.
He designed this Borrego home to be open and uncluttered.
1
Information on McKenzie comes from personal interview
conducted by Stacy Paton.
The home features 2 mirror bedroom/bath wings with a central
living room/dining/kitchen space. The beds are designed in
built-in platforms.
The teak built-ins and much of the furniture McKenzie designed
and had constructed for the space. The kitchen maintains clean
lines through the use of no above counter cabinets.
McKenzie says he designed the home for himself and his lifestyle,
this home being constructed once his children had grown.
The present owners are the home's second and have furnished
the space with many mid-century pieces. Much of the collection
is from the greater San Diego area.
