The star of our event was the Modern Phoenix Home Tour called "Uptown World" on April 10. Smaller tours were held all week long before the big event! Click TICKETS to discover them all.
Industry experts presented on a variety of topics related to midcentury modern design and contemporary challenges. Click EVENTS to read event descriptions.
There were lots of opportunities to get together and meet others involved in the preservation and restoration of Midcentury Modern design in the Phoenix Metro area. Click EVENTS to discover them all.
Many of our events were free, some were ticketed online. Click the dates above to view the entire week's itinerary. Click the + icon to expand each event description for details.
The 2016 tour spotlighted the diverse neighborhoods of Uptown Phoenix. In classic Modern Phoenix tour tradition a broad spectrum of modern lifestyles, price points, architects and aesthetics were featured. Highlights included the Haver Homes of Marlen Grove and Northwood, condos by Laszlo Sandor, garden apartments by Charles Polacek, plus four spectacularly restored homes custom homes by Fred Guirey, FAIA, Bennie Gonzales, FAIA, and Mel Ensign. The tour was park-and-walk spanning several different neighborhoods with some homes clustered within walking distance of each other.
First Friday Gallery Opening on Historic Grand Avenue
The MOD•AZ group show reflects the mid-century community in Arizona, with a focus on architecture (drawings, renderings, 3D models), but also furniture, fabric, advertising and design. MOD•AZ will open with an artists' reception on First Friday, April 1, 2016 and remain on display through Saturday, April 16.
VIEW PHOTOSWith Roger Tomalty
Join us for a tour of Paolo Soleri's 1956 Cosanti complex led by his special assistant, now Director of Paolo Soleri Studios, Roger Tomalty and SMoCA Curator of Contemporary Art Claire Carter. Limited to 35 participants. 20% discount on all books and publications about or by Paolo Soleri purchased by participants on day of tour. Wheelchair accessible. Meet in the gallery area at 9 am. Tickets $15.
EVENT OVERof Uptown Plaza
Take a trip back in time with Walter Crutchfield of Vintage Partners at the recently-renovated Uptown Plaza. View the work-in-progress, learn about Del Webb Construction’s massive impact on Valley development and tour the company’s crown jewel. The first 50 RSVPs will receive an original screen print by artist Jon Arvizu. Something sweet from the Shake Shack plus light snacks and drinks from Flower Child will be served. Meet in the courtyard in the far northeast corner.
VIEW PHOTOSBetween Art and Design
Join Copenhagen Imports at their vintage Ralph Haver-designed showroom for a special mixer with free food and drinks celebrating Danish Modern Design. The evening includes a special talk by historian & author Mark Mussari at 6:30pm. RSVP the number in your party to email below or at 602-266-8060.
VIEW PHOTOSWith Ace Bailey
An insider tour of the iconic Scottsdale hotel designed by Edward L. Varney Associates, AIA, in 1956. Tickets $19.56.
EVENT OVERGuided Bus Tour
Join Marshall Shore the Hip Historian and Vic Linoff of the Mesa Preservation Foundation on a guided bus tour of Mesa's main drag. View and photograph the monumental and iconic signs. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Arizona Vintage Sign Coalition and restoration of the Watson's Flower Shop sign. Tickets $36.87
EVENT OVERAn intimate tour of Architectural Special Collections.
Explore the architectural archives of Blaine Drake, Frank Henry, Alfred Newman Beadle and the University Archives at ASU Libraries! Archivist Rob Spindler and librarian Dennis Brunning will present and discuss selected treasures from the drawers of these touchstone collections. Members of the Beadle, Drake and Henry families will be present. Limited to 20 participants. Tickets $25 / $20 museum members.
VIEW PHOTOSBy Christopher McPherson
The use of plastics exploded after World War Two, fueling a juggernaut that led the transition from formal to casual living. But plastics had been around for decades before and still influence our lives every day. "A Century of Plastics" looks at the history of plastics and the important role they played during the middle half of the 20th Century.
EVENT OVERPresented by AIA Arizona
Featuring fast-paced decks about contemporary architecture, adaptive re-use, sustainability, design-build, making connections across time and space, and problem-solving by:
• Benjamin Ayers, AIA, Shepley Bulfinch
• John Anderson, AIA, 180 degrees
• Chris Knorr, AIA, SmithGroupJJR
• Jennifer Knorr, AIA, DWL
• Peter Koliopoulos, AIA, Circle West Architects
Earn AIA CEU credits at this free event!
The meaning of "home"
Join azcentral.com, The Arizona Republic and Alliance Bank of Arizona to celebrate Phoenix design. You'll hear from architects, home historians and designers as they celebrate the Valley's vibrant architectural scene. We'll hear stories about the meaning of "home," designing disasters, and the spaces that define our community. Storytellers include Will Bruder of Will Bruder Architects, Austin King of Rafterhouse, Moazam Khan of MoD a+p, Betty Drake of Drake & Associates, Benjamin Hall of Benjamin Hall Design and Jason Boyer of artHAUS.Tickets $12.
EVENT OVERA taste of the Italian Avant Garde with SMoCA
Celebrate the revolutionary and often-misunderstood early modern movement of Italian Futurism with a lively talk by SMoCA Docent Deborah Robin. Refreshments will be served.
VIEW PHOTOSA Single Man &
Far From Heaven
Join us where modernism, gender, and gingers collide. The incomparable Julianne Moore connects our double feature about gender roles and the status quo at midcentury. Both films showcase impeccable cinematography, costuming and midcentury modern set design. Local arts critic and advocate Robrt Pela and artist Paul Wilson will be present for a panel discussion between reels. Cocktail attire encouraged. Cash bar. Tickets $10 / $8 for museum members by phone only at 480.499.TKTS [8587]. Photo: Weinstein Company.
EVENT OVERWith Roger Tomalty
Join us for a tour of Paolo Soleri's 1956 Cosanti complex led by his special assistant, now Director of Paolo Soleri Studios, Roger Tomalty and SMoCA Curator of Contemporary Art Claire Carter. Limited to 35 participants. 20% discount on all books and publications about or by Paolo Soleri purchased by participants on day of tour. Wheelchair accessible. Meet in the gallery area at 9 am. Tickets $15.
EVENT OVERWith coLAB Studio
For ages 13-18: Thinking about a career in architecture or simply curious about the craft? Meet and work with local architects in a professional setting during this exclusive event! You’ll learn about design concepts and tricks of the trade while you create a model of your own living space. Materials and light snacks will be provided. Free with RSVP.
With Ace Bailey
An insider tour of the iconic Scottsdale hotel designed by Edward L. Varney Associates, AIA, in 1956. Tickets $19.56.
EVENT OVERUsing Primary Sources
John Jacquemart and Donna Reiner guide a small group through researching a midcentury home or neighborhood using local resources and online databases with our pop-up library of magazines, brochures, newspapers, maps and other materials. Hands-on, bring a camera!
VIEW PHOTOSPanel Discussion
For more than 20 years, Michael Levine has been acquiring and renovating warehouses and other buildings in downtown Phoenix. Come hear Michael and other Downtowners who work in the buildings that he has saved discuss the past, present, and future of the warehouse district.
VIEW PHOTOSto Conserve Frank Lloyd Wright's Legacy in Phoenix
Join members of the Board of Directors from the David and Gladys Wright House Foundation, Taliesin's Preservation Director Fred Prozillo, and the owners of other Frank Lloyd Wright residences in Phoenix to discuss conservation strategies of Wright homes and those of the Taliesin Fellows in this candid open forum.
VIEW PHOTOSLessons from Palm Springs
Palm Springs preservation advocate Robert Imber shares the explosive growth of Palm Springs Modernism Week and its architecture. Learn about Midcentury gems just a few hours away and hear this expert’s opinion on how Palm Springs Modernism week has grown to its current size and scale. See what Arizona can do to take her desert modern cities to the next level. Tickets $10/$8 SMoCA members.
VIEW PHOTOSOf Uptown Phoenix
Features full access to a dozen modern homes in Uptown Phoenix, Arizona. Highlights include five Haver Homes of Marlen Grove and Northwood, plus custom homes in the Biltmore area and the Central Avenue Corridor including three spectacularly restored homes by Fred Guirey, FAIA, Bennie Gonzales, FAIA, and Mel Ensign. The tour is park-and-walk spanning several different neighborhoods with some homes clustered within walking distance of each other. A map will be provided on tour day. Terms and conditions apply.
VIEW PHOTOS7374 East Second Street | Scottsdale, AZ 85251
