Modernism Week
FEBRUARY MODERNISM WEEK EVENTS
PSAA will have several events in February. The biggest news is that we are proud to cohost the return of the “Symposium” at the Annenberg Theater. We are working with the museum to design an interesting program celebrating all things Frey in support of the huge Frey exhibition that will be at the Architecture and Design Center, Palm Springs Art Museum. Our keynote speaker will be writer and architecture critic, Paul Goldberger, with presentations by Brad Dunning, curator of the Frey exhibition, Barbara Lamprecht, architectural historian, and Joe Rosa, Frey biographer. Modernism Week is very happy that we are bringing back this important annual event. Sidney Williams, Luisa Heredia and Debra Hovel are leading the project along with some great volunteers. MORE INFORMATION HERE
Additionally, Richard Hovel is creating a new program of “Mod with a TWIST” to be presented at the CAMP theater on five days during Modernism Week. Some local favorite characters, Jacques Caussin, Stephen Drucker, Laura J. Hein, Greg Hough, and Richard will present on topics as diverse as Lawrence Welk and Plywood. The monies raised will help defray anticipated expenses for the Symposium. MORE INFORMATION HERE
THE PALM SPRINGS SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, 1930–1980
IMPORTANT NEW BOOK BY ALAN HESS
We are very pleased to let you know that we have signed a book publishing contract with the well-known publisher Rizzoli. We are beyond pleased and must thank Janice Lyle, Sidney Williams, Alan Hess and our fundraisers, Kim and Joe Zakowski, and all of our Task Force members, for the work it took to get us to this point. Of course, now that the contract is signed, additional effort to edit the draft manuscript, source the photos and get all the use and license agreements in place begins.
Experts Frank Lopez, Melissa and Jim Riche, Bob Berg and Steven Biller have signed on to help us obtain photo use agreements, write accurate captions, and edit the final essays and manuscript.
The manuscript was delivered December 2023, and the book designer has been chosen. The release date is expected to be February 2025 in time for launch at Modernism Week.
UPDATES ON AN IMPORTANT PROJECT IN PALM SPRINGS
The College of the Desert
One of the main reasons we created PSAA was to facilitate a partnership between the College of the Desert and Cal Poly Pomona to create a Bachelors of Architecture degree program on the new Palm Springs C.O.D campus.
Fortunately, the idea was well received by both institutions and the partnership deemed to be a win-win on several levels. This degree program would be the first advanced degree to be offered by C.O.D.
PSAA was invited to meet with the original master plan architects to provide input about the history and evolution of modernism in Greater Palm Springs, including history about the esteemed group of architects who practiced here from the 40’s through the 70’s.
When the C.O.D. administration held a competition to choose the architects to actually design the new campus, PSAA was invited to participate in the selection process. After the architectural firm was chosen, our task force members Stan Boles, Dan Spencer and Dick Burkett participated in further discussions with C.O.D. and the architectural firm.
Presently the project is in the construction document phase with an anticipated date for the project to commence in 2024 and a completion date of 2027. Space has been allocated for the architectural degree program on the new campus which will include state of the art studios, workshops and classrooms.
An MOU is anticipated to be completed by mid 2024 with temporary classrooms designated to welcome the first cohort of students.
Having an architectural degree program in Palm Springs is a natural and will be a part of the international recognition that the city has acquired.
UPDATES ON A CITY GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE
Design Guidelines for Palm Springs
The goal of this project is to participate with the City of Palm Springs to encourage innovation, sustainability and architectural design excellence for new commercial construction to honor the international reputation of our Palm Springs architectural legacy.