Modernism 101: Everything You Wanted to Know About Modernism But Were Afraid to Ask!
Three-part lecture series:
Wednesday, January 31, 2024: From Bauhaus to Our House – Midcentury Modernism in the Coachella Valley.
Tuesday, February 20, 2024: The Alexander Homes Bring High Style to the Coachella Valley.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024: "Modernism Before and After" Restoration vs. Renovation Do's and Don'ts
Wednesday, January 31, 2024: From Bauhaus to Our House – Midcentury Modernism in the Coachella Valley.
Presented by Joan Gand and Mimi Fisher of the Palm Springs Modern Committee
How did the Coachella Valley become a living museum of desert modern architecture? What makes a building midcentury modern? Who are the architects that created the unique collection of desert modernism here in our valley? The Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom) will present an informative and entertaining look at the principles of design that rocked the world of architecture in post-war America. The philosophy of modernism encompasses architecture, art, interior design, cars, even fashion. This three-part lecture series will cover all of this and more!
Joan Gand and Mimi Fisher have developed BEAM (Building Educational Architectural Models) - a curriculum for the Palm Springs Unified School District to teach about midcentury modern architecture to local students. As leaders of the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom) education committee, they have created this new programming for adults. Both Joan and Mimi are dedicated architecture preservationists from the Midwest. Joan served on the board of the Chicago Architecture Center, and is the co-author of the book: Julius Shulman, Chicago Mid-Century Modernism. She chairs the Palm Springs Modern Committee’s education program and has recently completed the restoration of two midcentury homes in California. She also performs as the keyboardist in the Gand Band. Mimi has always had an interest in architecture and swears that she would have been an architect if that career had been more open to women in the late ‘60s. Graphic design and jewelry making are just a few of her talents. She has served on the board of the PS Art Museum’s Architecture & Design Council and is a member of the PS ModCom Education Committee.
Tuesday, February 20, 2024: The Alexander Homes Bring High Style to the Coachella Valley.
Presented by Chris Menrad of the Palm Springs Modern Committee
Learn about the innovative family business that built over 2000 Desert Modern homes in the Coachella Valley. Their lead architect, William Krisel, created an iconic modern style that was both easy to build and affordable. Architects Charles DuBois and Donald Wexler continued to innovate with the Alohaus A-frames and the Steel Houses. The Alexanders themselves were a stylish and charismatic family that graced the pages of national magazines. Their modernist lifestyle included architecture, fashion, martinis and sportscars which captured the imagination of the new generation of home buyers.
Chris Menrad is a founding board member and past president of the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PSModCom). He co-authored the book William Krisel’s Palm Springs. Chris has restored many Alexander homes including his own. The Ocotillo Lodge restoration won a PSModCom Preservation Award in 2009. Chris’ own Alexander home designed by William Krisel has been designated as a Class One Historic Site, the first Krisel-designed structure to be so designated. It is so well known that it is now a popular stop on architecture tours, and the subject of many photographs. Chris has subsequently restored three additional homes in the Twin Palms Area and is active in the Twin Palms Neighborhood Organization.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024: "Modernism Before and After" Restoration vs. Renovation Do's and Don'ts
Presented by Joan and Gary Gand.
Joan and Gary Gand, veterans of restoring architecturally significant homes, will talk about the "Do's and Don'ts" of restoring or renovating a modern house. See examples of ugly ducklings, neglected, or "ruinovated" modernist homes and how they were turned into beautiful swans ready for another 50 years of living. They will explain the difference between restoration and renovation, and how to decide what's right for your project. Whether you are doing it yourself, or hiring an expert to help you, you'll learn how to understand the language of Modernism to preserve, protect, and create a beautiful desert modernist space.
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