About Atomic Luxury

Atomic Luxury
Atomic Luxury is the brainchild of artist, photographer, and author Nathan Alan. As a lifelong artist he has always been captivated by the interplay between color, design, and emotion. His artistic journey began with a childhood passion for drawing that grew into a teenage fascination with creating video games, ultimately leading to a career in web design and software development. Photography became a natural extension of his creative interests, offering him the perfect tool to visually capture and share his experiences.

Midcentury Modern
Nathan’s connection to midcentury modern design dates back to his childhood. While growing up in the Midwest, he was enchanted by a small café his family would visit every so often when meeting his grandparents for breakfast. Its clerestory windows, brick walls, post-and-beam construction, and low-slung roof were strikingly different from most of the other structures he was used to seeing. “I always made sure to look out the car window as we pulled up to the building so I could get a good look at it.” Decades later, he would realize that the cafe’s architecture was what is known as midcentury modern architecture, sparking a lifelong appreciation for the designs of that era.

Palm Springs California
A trip to California twenty years later cemented his fascination with Modernism. Surrounded by stunning examples of midcentury modern architecture, he felt a deep connection to the clean futuristic designs and the powerful optimism that seemed to emanate from them. These structures echo a post-WWII sense of hope—an era when America stood as a beacon of possibility and innovation. The feeling of hope is so strong that it can still be felt today.

Atomic Luxury celebrates the innovative spirit of America’s midcentury modern era through an ever-growing collection of stunning photography, artwork, and books. Our work showcases the enduring appeal of midcentury modern’s minimal yet thought-provoking designs.

Photography
When photographing midcentury modern architecture, our focus is on highlighting the structures themselves—letting the overall design take center stage. Nathan prefers shooting in the bright midday sun, as this is especially useful for vividly capturing details, textures, and colors. Clarity and accuracy are key attributes that

Artwork
Nathan’s artwork mirrors the precision of midcentury modern design. Clean lines and intentional color choices pay homage to the thoughtful creativity of this era. When exploring our photography, artwork, or books we hope it conveys both the deep connection we feel to these architectural masterpieces and the incredible hope that they embody. The Coachella Valley’s midcentury modern homes are a testament to human creativity and our work is an invitation to experience and celebrate their wonder.