Visit two important early examples of mid-century architecture designed by Philip Johnson on a one-day study tour of the Glass House (1949) and the Schlumberger Research Center Administration Building (1951-52), recently renovated by Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows to serve as the headquarters of their firm, BassamFellows.

Tickets for this program include tours of both sites, shuttle transportation between sites, and light refreshments.

+u – Architecture & Urbanism – is a magazine in Japanese and English that provides information on architecture around the globe to a global readership. A recent issue of the magazine examined fourteen Mid-Century Modern houses in New Canaan, designed by nine architects between the years 1947-1979. Join guest editor and architect Alan Goldberg and photographer Michael Biondo for a conversation with writer Gwen North Reiss about the New Canaan houses featured in the magazine, the making of the monograph, the related international competition, “Living in the Future,” and exhibitions at the Center for Architecture Sarasota and the Yale School of Architecture Main Gallery.

Please note: this event takes place at New Canaan Library. Please kindly register for this program here. The lecture will begin at 6:30pm, preceded by a reception beginning at 6:00pm.

Alan Goldberg began his career in New York working on a number of important buildings for a firm that adhered to Beaux-Arts style principals. By an unexpected occurrence he found himself on a team formed by Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson to design the Seagram’s Building, considered one of the great icons in 20th century architecture. The experience heightened Goldberg’s interest in the Bauhaus Movement, which he studied in college, and helped shape his thoughts on architecture. Goldberg, in 1966, moved to New Canaan, Connecticut to join Eliot Noyes & Associates, one of the nations most respected design firms. In 1974, he became a partner, and three years later, after Noyes died, the sole principal under the firm’s new name AG/ENA. During his 50 years with the firm Goldberg designed and managed a diverse number of projects for some of the nation’s leading corporations and public agencies. Goldberg embraced design in the broadest sense, including architecture, corporate design consulting, industrial design, interiors, and graphics. He became an integral part of New Canaan’s mid-century modern movement, and has raised public awareness and the need to preserve its heritage.

Michael Biondo is an architectural photographer whose work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Architizer, Dwell, and other publications. In addition to shooting 14 New Canaan houses for the May 2019 issue of a+u, he has done special photography projects for the Glass House, the National Trust, and numerous publishers and websites. He is co-author and photographer of Mid-Century Houses Today, which celebrates New Canaan’s Modern houses and was published in 2015 by Monacelli Press. A Wilton resident with a lifelong interest in art and design, Michael grew up in New Canaan and Darien and earned his BFA from the Pratt Institute. He began his career in fashion photography, dividing his time between New York, Los Angeles, and Paris, and returned to Fairfield County in 2006. He currently serves as a Board Member for the Carriage Barn Arts Center.

The biennial Monterey Design Conference (MDC 2019) celebrates its 25th gathering of leading global design figures along the Northern California coast, October 25-27, 2019. Organized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) California, this confab differs from most conferences because attendees can engage in casual conversations with presenters in a relaxed, oceanside setting—mingling over meals, at receptions, or along the beach. The weekend event is held at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA, the wooded retreat that was designed by 2014 AIA Gold Medal winner Julia Morgan, FAIA.

Among the presenters at MDC 2019 are international architects, who rarely speak in the U.S.
• Petra Blaisse, Inside Outside, Amsterdam
• Yvonne Farrell, Grafton Architects, Dublin
• Massimiliano Fuksas, Hon. FAIA, and Doriana Mandrelli Fuksas, Studio Fuksas, Rome
• Alberto Kalach, Taller de Arquitectura X (TAX), Mexico City
• Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, Shanghai

North American architects will discuss their multi-faceted work.
• Mark Cavagnero, FAIA, Cavagnero Associates Architects, San Francisco
• Bob Harris, FAIA, Lake|Flato, Austin/San Antonio
• Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA, and Richard Whitaker, Sea Ranch, in conversation with Pierluigi Serraino, AIA
• Brian MacKay-Lyons, Hon. FAIA, MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, Nova Scotia

Emerging California talents are given the opportunity to shine.
• Ed Ogosta, AIA, Edward Ogosta Architecture, Los Angeles
• Dan Spiegel, AIA, and Megumi Aihara, ASLA, SAW//Spiegel Aihara Workshop, San Francisco
• Chris Warren, AIA, WORD, Los Angeles
• Dan Weber, AIA, ANACAPA, Santa Barbara

Rounding out the busy weekend are special events, including receptions commemorating the 25th occurrence of MDC and the 75th anniversary of AIA California, book signings, AIA Academy for Emerging Professionals mixer, and post-conference tours of modern Monterey homes and the Monterey Bay Aquarium (EHDD, 1984).

Noted journalist, educator, and curator Reed Kroloff—recently named Dean of IIT School of Architecture—will emcee MDC 2019, which is open to architecture and design practitioners, educators, students, and enthusiasts.

The Monterey Design Conference was originated by Richard Saul Wurman, who went on to co-found TED Talks. The first gathering, in 1980, was so informal that speakers wore t-shirts with a number signifying their speaker order. In the 50 years since, MDC has grown into a must-return-to event for architects and designers seeking its unusual mix of inspiration and relaxation. Its speaker list has also provided a glimpse into the inner working of men and women who have won the Pritzker Prize, architecture’s highest global honor, including Shigeru Ban, Hon. FAIA; Frank O. Gehry, FAIA; Rem Koolhaas, Hon. FAIA; Fumihiko Maki, Hon. FAIA; Thom Mayne, FAIA; and Kazuyo Sejima.

Attendees can gain up to 18 Continuing Education points for MDC programs—including Accessibility/HSW credits—by attending main lectures as well as CES offerings. Topics of CE sessions include materials, codes, construction, accessibility, technology, and security, among others.

MDC 19 is organized by AIA California staff, led by executive vice president Nikki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA CA, with a volunteer committee comprising Anne Fougeron, FAIA; Andrew Goodwin, AIA; David Hecht, AIA (Chair); Mark Jensen, FAIA; Ben Kasdan, AIA (AIA CA President); Owen Kennerly, AIA; Alice Kimm, FAIA; Karen Lesney, Assoc. AIA; Leanna Libourel, AIA; Jennifer Luce, FAIA; David Meckel, FAIA; Josephine Minutillo; Michael Porter, AIA; and Julie D. Taylor, Hon. AIA.

Registration is open, but spaces are filling up quickly. Go to www.montereydesignconference.org to register.

THE GRAY AWARDS

Turning the traditional awards party on its head, this black-tie event is filled with surprises and merriment for the ultimate celebration of Pacific Northwest design.

And it’s for a good cause! 50% of net ticket proceeds will benefit our charity partner, The BLOCK Project—an alternative approach to alleviating homelessness.