Modernism Week in Palm Springs

You might notice from previous posts that I have an appreciation of, and am influenced by, Mid-Century Modern design. Next year I am hoping to get to an annual event in Palm Springs in February known as Modernism Week. This ten day long event is filled with tours, films, lectures, and other cultural events celebrating modern architecture and design. In addition to allowing professionals in the field to to network and amateur fans to revel, the conference also raises funds for preservation and for scholarships in the field.

Russell House 

Why Palm Springs you might ask? This desert valley city over 100 miles west of Los Angeles has one of the largest collections of Mid-Century architecture. It also is one of the birth places of modernism in the US. This small town had become a fashionable health resort by the early 20^th century and it started attracting Hollywood movie celebrities in the 20s who were willing to commission innovative architects for their vacation houses. The dramatic physical environment of the desert valley in turn inspired the architects to incorporate ideas from the European Bauhaus movement and the International Style into a form know as Desert Modernism.  According to a local chamber of commerce site:

“Notable for its use of glass, clean lines, natural and manufactured resources and indoor/outdoor spaces, Desert Modernism evoked a lifestyle of simple elegance and informality. Influenced by the dictates of desert living and the intense climate, the style grew out of the architects and designer's adaptive use of inventive materials, modern construction techniques, new (post-war) technologies...and served an enthusiastic and willing clientele.”

Kaufmann House 

Modernism Week 2013 lasts from February 14-24. If you can't make the official event but are out west this fall, there will be an architectural bus tour and other events during DOCOMOMO National Tour Day (DOcumentation and COnservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the MOdern MOvement) from October 5-8, 2012. At the moment, the full schedule of events during Modernism Week is still being posted but check the official website soon. Most importantly, tickets go on sale online in September, and they sell out quickly for this popular week.

Kaufmann House (back)

Hopefully I'll see you there.

HOLLIN HILLS HOUSE TOUR

Fans of modern architecture in the DC area should take note of the upcoming Hollin Hills House and Garden tour. The event takes place on Saturday, April 28^th, including a lecture beforehand. In addition, Hollin Hills will be featured as part of a panel discussion at the Corcoran College of Art + Design the day before.

What is so special about this neighborhood to garner all this attention? Aside from the beautiful contemporary houses and the lush, green surroundings, it was one of the first Mid-Century housing developments in the area. Designed by Charles M. Goodman and developed by Robert Davenport, the houses were first constructed in 1949 and continued to be built until 1970.

The houses are based on modular design, but each one “varies in size, plan, elevation, and roof top”. (Old Houses Online Article) In particular, the homes are known for their “walls” of glass, which helped make Charles Goodman an influential figure in the budding field of modern house design. His idea was to make a more continuous transition between inside and the wooded, hilly terrain outside. However, the houses themselves are positioned in such a way that they do not look into a neighbors yard. Despite the light and openness of the design, privacy is still preserved.

The neighborhood is located south of Alexandria. Old Town Alexandria is known of course for the historic preservation of its 18^th century heritage. Sam Growe of Dwell Magazine notes the irony of the classic modernism of Hollin Hills being not far from “the colonial bastion that provides such inspiration for Northern Virginia's epidemic of multimillion-dollar neo-colonial McMansions”. [Link to Article] Thus, Hollin Hills is truly a rarity in the region and a must-see for anyone interested in Mid-Century neighborhoods.

Most of the 463 houses in the neighborhood have had at least some alteration, although the initial designs are very much in evidence. According to James C. Massey and Shirley Maxwell of Old Houses Online, “Goodman's designs recognized the inclination to grow, however, and through the years, residents have been uncommonly respectful of their home's original architecture and their neighbor's privacy...additions tend to be well designed...” [Link to Article] Well designed houses give the owners more of an inclination to become caretakers, which becomes important when making decisions to renovate or add to their home. It is evident that there is much caretaking going on in this neighborhood.

See you on the House Tour!