I feel so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know architect Arthur Q. Davis through my work at the Tulane University School of Architecture, especially in my efforts since the storm to document the modern architecture of New Orleans. In 2008 Mr. Davis graciously met with my Regional Modernism class and made a great impression on the students. He was a colorful storyteller and shared anecdotes from when he studied under Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer and worked for Eero Saarinen, thus establishing within the room a tangible link to some of the great masters of modernism. We are now beginning to understand that Mr. Davis and his partner Nathaniel C. Curtis, Jr (1917-1997) were masters of regional modernism, committed to designing contemporary architecture relevant to our regional climate and urban fabric.
We tend to think of New Orleans architecture only in the vernacular. We tend to privilege traditional architecture over contemporary. We tend to overlook the modern architecture in our midst. But in the 1950s New Orleans was a hotbed for modern architecture and the partnership of Curtis and Davis were pioneers of the new. However the recent losses are staggering. Since the storm we have lost six significant buildings designed by Curtis and Davis - the St. Frances Cabrini Church, four schools (McDonogh 39, Thomy Lafon, Carver and Cabrini) and the Dr. Lyman K. Richardson Residence. In the past few years Mr. Davis frequently lamented that an architect should not outlive his buildings. We are blessed that the magnum opus of the firm, the recently renamed and brilliantly illuminated Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the most recognized building in the state of Louisiana, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of Mr. Curtis and Mr. Davis.
Francine Stock
president
DOCOMOMO US/Louisiana
Docomomo US is thrilled to announce the Philip Johnson Glass House as a partner for the fifth annual Docomomo US Tour Day. Located in lush New Canaan, Connecticut, the Glass House is a National Trust Historic Site and offers its 47-acre campus as a catalyst for the preservation and interpretation of modern architecture, landscape, and art, as well as a canvas for inspiration and experimentation honoring the legacy of Philip Johnson (1906-2005) and David Whitney (1939-2005).
Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the Civic Arena (Mellon Arena) was rejected by the Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission and Planning Commission. On June 28th, the Pittsburgh City Council voted 6-3 to reject city historic designation, allowing the Sports and Exhibition Authority to move forward with plans to demolish the structure.
Glenbrook Valley, the subject of last year's "Mad About Mod" tour given by friend organization Houston Mod during Tour Day 2010, has been designated a local historic district. The residential neighborhood is made up of 1,255 tracts of post-WW II housing, the largest post-war locally designated historic district in the country, and the first of its kind in Texas.
Docomomo US seeks to elevate awareness of the buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the Modern Movement by profiling like-minded organizations across the country. This month we spotlight the Los Angeles Conservancy's Modern Committee, headed by Regina O'Brien, Chair. Active for over 25 years, the Modern Committee has been instrumental in the preservation of modern architecture in the Los Angeles area including the Capitol Records Building, Century Plaza Hotel and the Golden State Mutual Building, among others.
Tomorrow's Houses: New England Modernism 
Name this building and architect for a chance to win a prize from the DOCOMOMO archives.
DOCOMOMO US/Louisiana reports that less than 24 hours after receiving notice from RSD Superintendent John White, demolition of the historic Phillis Wheatley Elementary School(Charles Colbert, 1954) in the Treme-Lafitte neighborhood of New Orleans began late Friday afternoon, June 17.
DOCOMOMO US/Chicago-Midwest details the recent events organized to raise public awareness about the importance of Bertrand Goldberg's threatened iconic cloverleaf-shaped building, including last week's "SAVE PRENTICE" rally outside the building in Chicago.
For two days in early April 2011 the DOCOMOMO US Board convened in Los Angeles to both investigate and promote the organization’s national growth. To conclude the weekend the group visited three John Lautner-designed homes, led by Lautner archivist and author Frank Escher.
DOCOMOMO US/Louisiana announces the release of their new mobile application New Orleans Regional Modernism. A project of the chapter and Tulane University, the free location-based app allows users to browse modern buildings in New Orleans by architect, neighborhood, category and status.
The Pruitt-Igoe Myth: An Urban History
Luigi Moretti: Le ville disegni e modelli
We are pleased to announce Docomomo International Journal 43 Brasilia has been distributed to our international members. Journal 43 includes essays and articles discussing the monumental project that architecturally reshaped Brazil and influenced planning and urban design around the world.
April 2011 was the first annual Texas MODern Month, organized to raise awareness of the need to preserve locally, regionally, and nationally significant examples of modern buildings sites and neighborhoods in Texas. Texas MODern Month was organized by Preservation Texas and a number of partner organizations including the North Texas and Mid-Tex Mod chapters of DOCOMOMO US, and HoustonMod, the first Friend Organization of DOCOMOMO US
On Tuesday May 24th the Whitney Museum of American Art will break ground on its new location in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. In light of the Museum’s planned relocation in 2015 to the new Renzo Piano-designed flagship, there has been speculation in recent months as to the fate of the original Marcel Breuer building.
On In April 2011, with the input of DOCOMOMO US/New England, the Boston Landmarks Commission declared the Christian Science Center (CSC) a Boston Landmark. The urban complex was joined between 1965 and 1975 by a now world-renowned group of modern buildings designed by Araldo Cossutta of I.M. Pei & Partners, with landscape design by Sasaki, Dawson, DeMay
For two days in early April 2011 the DOCOMOMO US Board convened in Los Angeles to both investigate and promote the organization’s national growth. Following the open session at Richard Neutra's VDL Research House II, the group visited Case Study House #22, also known as the Stahl House.
American Glamour and the Evolution of Modern Architecture
Roadside Mississippi: Pizza as Architecture
4 years ago
