Saturday, February 21, 2026
Modernism and the future of Housing: A SYMPOSIUM
Palm Springs Art Museum in partnership with Palm Springs Architectural Alliance presents a symposium on early Modernist design principles and how they could influence the future of housing.
Los Angeles architects Brooks + Scarpa , AIA Gold Medal award recipients, will provide the keynote presentation. Silvia Perea, Curator, Architecture and Design Collection, University of California, Santa Barbara, will discuss the receptiveness to experimentation that has inspired both architecture and science fiction in the California desert. Christopher Hawthorne, Senior Architecture Critic, Yale University, will offer noteworthy examples of current modernist housing, and architects Bassam/Fellows, will share their experiences updating and preserving Modernist architecture.
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ogether these experts will offer fresh insights into contemporary design while envisioning the future of modern living, by revisiting the architectural innovations that defined early Modern housing: good design, affordability, innovative construction, and scalable solutions. From Levittown’s mass-produced tract homes to Palm Springs’ climate-conscious prefabricated modernism, these mid-century experiments used new materials, technologies, and design strategies to make quality housing accessible, responsive to place, and achievable at scale. By looking back to these early models, the symposium invites a conversation about how architects can once again shape housing futures that are inventive, well-designed, sustainable, and responsive to the demands of our time.
Following the morning symposium, an optional afternoon self-driving tour (Symposium PLUS Home Tour Ticket) will feature significant individual and multiple dwellings of noteworthy Modernist design.
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Symposium 9:30 AM–12:15 PM
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Self-Driving Tour 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Self-guided Tour sites
These homes are distinctly different examples of Desert Modernism offering a variety of remarkable solutions. Home Tour map and instructions will be provided at the symposium.
Rancho Mirage:
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Echo development (2020), Sean Lockyer, architect - private residence
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Sunny Lane Uno (2020), H20 Lance O’Donnell architect - private residence
Palm Springs:
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Rosa Gardens (2011), Brooks and Scarpa, architects - Coachella Valley Housing Coalition
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Aloe Palm Canyon (2025), Wil Carson, architect - Public / Private Senior housing project
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Aluminaire (1931), Albert Frey - Modular housing prototype
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Sagewood (1972), Donald Wexler, architect - condominium development
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Hundred Mile House (1954, 2016), Duane Smith – private residence
$75 Symposium ONLY Museum Member Ticket
$95 Symposium ONLY Non-Member Ticket
$175 Symposium PLUS Home Tour Museum Member Ticket
$195 Symposium PLUS Home Tour Non-Member Ticket
Modernism Lecture Friday Feb. 13, 2026
Discover the surprising architectural riches of three unlikely American towns: Palm Springs, California; Sarasota, Florida; and Columbus, Indiana. With populations of just 50,000, each has become a world-renowned showcase of innovative design—far outpacing what their size might suggest.
What sparked these architectural renaissances? Who were the visionaries—developers, architects, builders, and clients—behind the masterpieces? How do these communities honor, celebrate, and safeguard their built legacies while shaping their futures?
In this captivating symposium, leading experts from each city will share vivid stories, rare insights, and the pivotal moments that put their towns on the design map. Discover the creative forces and community spirit that drew top architects seeking to reimagine the very landscape of American small towns with ground-breaking residential and civic projects.
Moderator: Katie Horak, Principal, Architectural Resource Group
Panelists: Richard McCoy (Executive Director Landmark Columbus Foundation, Columbus Indiana), Alan Hess (Architect, Author, Historian, Palm Springs Architectural Alliance, Palm Springs California), Morris (Marty) Hylton, III (President, Architecture Sarasota, Sarasota Florida)
Highlights include: Exclusive behind-the-scenes perspectives from experts. Exploration of shared movements, and distinct approaches to modern architecture, preservation, and the future. Wisdom and inspiration for the next generation of stewards and city-shapers
Join us to uncover the lessons, inspirations, and bold visions that continue to shape these extraordinary communities—and see how the legacy of great architecture is carried forward for generations to come. Book signings will take place after the event concludes.
Presented by Palm Springs Architectural Alliance. A portion of ticket sales supports the mission of PSAA. psarchitecturalalliance.org
January –August 2024
ALBERT FREY Exhibition
In recognition of the iconic desert architect Albert Frey, Palm Springs Art Museum presented the most comprehensive exhibition and publication on his life and work to date. The exhibition, Albert Frey: Inventive Modernist at the museum’s Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion, ran January–August 2024, and included drawings, plans, images, and models—many from Frey’s personal archives which he bequeathed to the museum.
Born in Zurich, Switzerland, Frey (1903-1998), had early career successes in Paris and New York before moving to Palm Springs where he realized most of his life work. His unique style of Desert Modernism cemented his legacy as one of the most influential architects, not only in the Coachella Valley, but also in the United States and the world. His personal residence, Frey House II, sits on the mountain side above Palm Springs Art Museum; it was also gifted to the institution by Frey and is part of the museum’s permanent collection.
The large-scale retrospective, curated and designed by Brad Dunning, presented rare and many previously unexhibited architectural models, drawings, films, photographs, and furniture. Says Dunning, “One building by Frey in some other town would be cause for celebration. Palm Springs is so full of them, it may not completely appreciate the bounty. With this exhibition, I strive to show not only the justifiably well-known projects but countless other works that Frey was able to inject with his unique design aesthetic, clever and artful compositions, and experimentation with new materials. Albert Frey pursued a lifelong quest for the regality of order and for the harmony of the man-made with the natural.”
Saturday, February 24, 2024
ALBERT FREY:
A SYMPOSIUM
On February 24, 2024, Palm Springs Art Museum and the Palm Springs Architectural Alliance brought back its annual architecture-focused symposium presented through Modernism Week.
The symposium, held in the museum’s Annenberg Theater, was a celebration of iconic desert architect Albert Frey’s work and legacy. Paul Goldberger, author and Pulitzer Prize-winning architectural critic, provided the keynote address, and there were presentations by Brad Dunning, Albert Frey: Inventive Modernist exhibition curator; Barbara Lamprecht, architectural historian; and Joseph Rosa, architect and Frey biographer. The four experts are all featured in a new book published in conjunction with the Frey exhibition currently on view at Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion through June 3, 2024.
Albert Frey (1903-1998), born in Switzerland, was one of the most important modern architects of our time. He lived and worked in Palm Springs since 1934, establishing a style of modernist architecture that came to be known as "desert modernism." Over a long and prolific career, he produced more than 200 building designs, including such notable local landmarks as the Palm Springs City Hall, the Aerial Tramway Valley Station with John Porter Clark and his own residence, Frey House II, and the Aluminaire House™, both in the permanent collection of Palm Springs Art Museum.
The symposium's day of activities included a box lunch in the museum’s sculpture garden, a Frey exhibition book signing, and a self-driving tour of Frey sites, featuring an architecture specialist at each site providing insightful historical information.
Modernism Week, February 17–23, 2024
Mod with a Twist
After a few years hiatus, the ever popular Mod With a TWIST is back! Join us for an hour of rollicking, irreverent, witty and surprising presentations about unexpected topics from the Midcentury. You will laugh and guaranteed, you will walk away with a new factoids about something you did not know you needed to know. Great for all the cocktail parties around town… It’s all in fun and a great way to spend an hour with fellow midmod aficionados.
Program for February 17, 19, 22
Stephen Drucker–“Champagne Music”
The Bubbly history of a Midcentury TV phenomenon -The Lawrence Welk Show.
Richard Hovel–“Plywood & Midcentury Modern…Made for Each Other”
The surprising history of one of Midcentury Modern’s most important materials.
Greg Hough–“Come Swim With Me”
This Palm Springs native will surprise and delight with crazy stories of his pool hopping days as a kid.
Laura J. Hein–”The Hula-Hoop: A Mighty Midcentury Fad”
WHAMO- the Midcentury Power Brand created some of the nations biggest toy sensations!
Program for February 18, 20, 23
Stephen Drucker–“Champagne Music”
The Bubbly history of a Midcentury TV phenomenon -The Lawrence Welk Show
Richard Hovel–“Plywood & Midcentury Modern…Made for Each Other"
The surprising history of one of Midcentury Modern’s most important materials.
Jacques Caussin–“America: Land of Opportunity”
How European-born talents super charged modern American Architecture & Design.
Greg Hough–“Come Swim With Me”
This Palm Springs native will surprise and delight with crazy stories of his pool hopping days as a kid.
Presented by Palm Springs Center for Creativity, a 5013c non profit, with proceeds benefiting the Palm Springs Architectural Alliance dedicated to stewarding the legacy of Palm Springs architectural excellence into the future.
