PALM SPRINGS, CA (December 8, 2025) – Modernism Week will offer more than 80 informative and entertaining talks, panel discussions, and other presentations at various locations during its 11-day festival that runs February 12 to 22, 2026. The annual festival highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, vintage culture, and interior and landscape design in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. A distinguished array of speakers – all leaders in their fields – will share their knowledge and insights with Modernism Week audiences each day of the event. A series of engaging films will also be offered. Many events are free or have a low ticket price. Tickets may be purchased at modernismweek.com, and a portion of ticket proceeds benefit Modernism Week (a non-profit organization) and other local preservation, neighborhood, and community groups. Talks may be viewed at https://modernismweek.com/2026/films-lectures/.
Presentations will take place at the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Palm Springs Cultural Center, and in the theater at CAMP, the central hub for Modernism Week, located in the downtown Hyatt Palm Springs. Here are some highlights from the schedule of talks and films. Many more are featured at modernismweek.com.
FEATURED PRESENTATIONS
Keynote Presentation: Elizabeth Diller, Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) (2/14, $45, $65, $125) Modernism Week is honored to welcome architect Elizabeth Diller, a founding partner of Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), as the keynote presenter for 2026. Diller is a founding partner of Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) and a Professor of Architecture at Princeton University. Alongside partner Ricardo Scofidio (1935-2025), Diller’s cross-genre work has been distinguished with TIME’s “100 Most Influential People” list and the first MacArthur Foundation fellowship awarded in the field of architecture. A book signing follows the presentation. A limited capacity Reception (included with VIP Seating PLUS Reception ticket) will take place in the museum’s Elrod Sculpture Garden, adjacent to the Annenberg Theater. Hors d’oeuvres and wine catered from Livs Palm Springs by Chef Gabriel Woo. Presentation 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, reception until 3:30 PM. The Keynote presentation and VIP reception is sponsored by Sunset Magazine, with additional funding received from the Chris and Jim Scott Family Foundation.
Modernism and the Future of Housing: A Symposium (2/21, $75, $95, $125) Palm Springs Art Museum in partnership with Palm Springs Architectural Alliance presents a symposium on early modernist design principles and what these can tell us about the future of housing. Experts revisit the architectural innovations that defined early modern housing as a springboard for reflections on contemporary projects and the future of modern housing, with optional home tour. The symposium includes an optional afternoon self-driving tour of significant individual and multiple dwellings of modernist design.
Special Event: 2026 World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize Ceremony (2/18, $20)World Monuments Fund and Modernism Week have partnered to present the 2026 World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize ceremony announcing the 2026 prize recipient. This is the first time this event has been held outside of New York City. Established in 2008 through a partnership between World Monuments Fund and Knoll, this biennial prize champions the idea that Modern buildings are vital touchstones of our shared twentieth-century legacy by recognizing outstanding conservation projects of Modernist buildings undertaken within the previous decade. The ceremony will include a panel discussion with the award recipient and architectural experts. The World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize has been made possible, in part, by support from Knoll.
STORIES UNTOLD
Since 2022, Modernism Week has presented Stories Untold, focused on the history and narratives of architects and design professionals historically left out of the spotlight. This year, two compelling presentations will be offered.
Stories Untold – Rebuilding Futures: Japanese American Designers in the Wake of Internment (2/16, FREE) Since 2022, Modernism Week has presented Stories Untold, focused on the history and narratives of architects and design professionals historically discriminated against or left out of the spotlight. This year, the talk centers on the careers of Japanese Americans from the West Coast who faced internment in American concentration camps after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor. This discussion will be led by Bridget Bartal, co-curator of Cranbrook Art Museum’s 2025 exhibition Eventually Everything Connects: Mid-Century Design in the US and co-editor of the exhibition companion book of the same name (2025, Phaidon). A book signing will follow the presentation. Underwriting for Stories Untold and complimentary admission generously provided by Room & Board.
Exiled in L.A.: The Untold Story of Leopold Fischer, Émigré Architect in Southern California (2/16, FREE) Leopold Fischer (1901–1975) was a Jewish Austrian social housing architect who had fled Nazi Germany in late 1936. In Vienna and Weimar Germany, Fischer was known as a student of Austrian Modernist Adolf Loos and occasional collaborator of Walter Gropius. In California, Fischer never achieved fame comparable to his fellow Austrian architects and Loos students, Rudolph Schindler and Richard Neutra; indeed, architectural history barely acknowledges Fischer’s California architecture. By piecing together scant archival sources and circumstantial evidence of Fischer’s life and work in exile, Professor Volker M. Welter unveils the architect’s contribution to metropolitan Los Angeles. Following the presentation, Prof. Welter will be signing his newly released book, Exiled in L.A.: The Untold Story of Leopold Fischer’s Domestic Architecture (2025, Getty Publications). Underwriting for Stories Untold and complimentary admission generously provided by Room & Board roomandboard.com
PRESERVATION/RESTORATION
· New Modernism Narratives: Conserving Modernist Architecture in Africa (2/19, FREE) This presentation will explore the World Monuments Fund’s (WMF) contemporary approach to engaging with modernist architecture, focusing particularly on its ongoing initiatives to conserve and document modernism in Africa. Underwriting for complimentary admission generously provided by World Monuments Fund wmf.org
· Rooted in Time, Racing Against It: Living Collections at Historic Sites – A Case Study of Sunnylands (2/21, $18) Historic landscapes are more than just beautiful settings; they are expressions of cultural and personal history. But what happens when their living elements begin to age or become unsustainable?
· Endangered Modernism: 35 Years of Protecting Frank Lloyd Wright’s Architecture (2/19, $20) The talk highlights the modern architecture protected by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy including the Price Tower (Bartlesville, OK) and the Grace and Joseph Jacob Walser, Jr. House (Chicago).
· Saving Fallingwater: The Preservation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1935 Organic Masterpiece (2/18, $20) Join Fallingwater’s Director Justin Gunther as he explores, and with rarely seen photographs, illustrates the unique preservation solutions, past and present, that have saved Fallingwater.
· The Charles & Ray Eames Foundation: Preserving Legacy, Inspiring the Future (2/18, $20) Guided by Charles Eameses’ words— “Eventually everything connects”—the Eames Foundation celebrates the enduring power and influence of Ray and Charles Eames to link people, ideas, and generations.
· A Place in the Sun – Restoring the 1929 Neutra Lovell Health House (2/14, $20) Frank Escher & Ravi GuneWardena, restoration architects for the Lovell Health House, and Dr. Barbara Lamprecht, Architectural Historian, will discuss the restoration of Neutra’s 1929 masterpiece.
· The Elrod House: A Deep Dive (2/15, $20) The Elrod House, a masterful collaboration between architect John Lautner and interior designer Arthur Elrod, is emerging from a restoration that has re-energized this beacon of Palm Springs modernism. The owner, fashion designer Jeremy Scott, architectural restorer Mark Haddawy, and architects Frank Escher (“John Lautner, Architect”) and Alan Hess (“The Architecture of John Lautner”), and moderator Adele Cygelman (“Arthur Elrod: Desert Modern Design”) will provide a deep dive into Arthur Elrod’s singular home and its current restoration.
ENTERTAINMENT
· Charles Phoenix: Grand Tour of Europe in the ‘50s & ‘60s – A Midcentury Dream Vacation Slide Show Travelogue (2/14, $45, $60, and $75) With his unbridled enthusiasm, keen expertise, and eagle-eye for oddball detail, Retro Pop Culture expert Charles Phoenix lavishes spirited commentary on colorful, vintage Kodachrome slides taken by tourists visiting Europe in the 50s and 60s.
· Charles Phoenix: The Great American Retro Road Trip. A Midcentury Travelogue Tour Across the USA (2/21, $45, $60, and $75) Charles Phoenix takes his audience on a colorful classic slide show road trip extravaganza and lavishes spirited commentary on colorful, vintage Kodachrome slides taken by Americans vacationing in the United States in the 50s and 60s.
· Let’s Go to the Fair! Futurama 1964 and the World of Tomorrow (2/17, $20) Presenter Monica Penick, design historian at The University of Texas at Austin, will revisit the 1964 World’s Fair in New York to look at the futuristic cities, automated workplaces, dream homes (and cars), underwater resorts, and lunar habitats to consider just how well Futurama’s world of tomorrow predicted the world of today.
· Aqua Modern: Indoor & Outdoor Pools of the Catskills (2/19, $18) Join photographer Isaac Jeffreys as he illuminates historic Catskills resort pools at night, bridging past and present in a visual journey of midcentury modern glamour and American leisure.
· Honey, Let’s Go to the Movies! Classic Film Residences as Never Before Seen (2/17, $25) After two sell-out architectural tours of TV homes, Marina Coates now escorts the audience through film homes. This seven-home program includes three in Palm Springs.
· 100 Years of Route 66: California’s Mid-Century Icons! (2/15, $18) Take a look at the Mother Road’s beloved mid-century landmarks as we celebrate 100 years of Route 66! Join Barkev Msrlyan from Merch Motel for a ride through California’s roadside relics!
· Architects of Illusion: The Curious Marriage of Modernism and Magic (2/15 and 2/19, $35) Prepare to be amazed, inspired, and delighted as the boundaries between design and illusion dissolve. An audience immersive event led by acclaimed magician and storyteller Andy Cohen.
MODERNISM AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD
· Modernism in Brazil: Connections Among Niemeyer, Bo Bardi, Burle Marx, and Rodrigues (2/19, $20) Discover the drama and brilliance of Brazilian modernism woven through the lives and works of Oscar Niemeyer, Lina Bo Bardi, Roberto Burle Marx, and Sergio Rodrigues, presented by Jonathan Durling.
· Midcoast Modern: Renegade Architects on the Big Sur Coast in the 1950s–70s (2/19, $18) In the land of Steinbeck, maverick architects of the 1950s–70s pioneered a hands-on Modernism rooted in nature and adapted to the wild landscape of the Big Sur Coast.
· Bauhaus to Brutalism – Convergent Émigré Modernism in California and Western Australia (2/19, $18) This talk depicts Modernism’s evolution on opposite sides of the Pacific, where each was shaped by migration, climate, cultural collision and the bold vision of émigré architects who reimagined the built world wherever they landed.
· Total Design – Miller House and Garden, Columbus, Indiana (2/15, $20) The 1957 Miller House and Garden is one of the most iconic examples of Total Modern Design. Architecture by Eero Saarinen, interiors by Alexander Girard and gardens by Dan Kiley.
· Montevideo Modernism (2/16, $18) This panel will discuss the upcoming Montevideo Modernism multi-day event of symposia and tours of modernist architecture in and around the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, scheduled for April 2026.
· Small Towns + Great Architecture: Modernism’s Untold Stories (2/13, $25) Discover the surprising architectural riches of 3 unlikely small American towns: Palm Springs, California; Sarasota, Florida; Columbus, Indiana. Each is a world-renowned showcase of innovative design.
· Smoky Mountain Modern: The Architecture of Hubert Bebb (2/13, $18) A nostalgic look at modernist motels, restaurants, and attractions in the Smoky Mountain resort town of Gatlinburg TN depicted in postcards and other ephemera as they appeared in the mid 20th century.
· We Live Modern – The Evolution of the Czech Modernist House (2/16, $18) Adam Štěch on the evolution of Czech Modernism, from Art Deco to avant-garde Cubism, to Functionalist designs of the 1920’s- 1930s, and the impact of World War II followed by Communist dictatorship.
· Contested Memory, Contested Ground: BBPR “Monument for the Fallen in Germany’s Nazi Concentration Camps” 1946 (2/18, $18) The 1945 BBPR memorial’s abstract geometric form commemorating victims of fascism simultaneously proposed “continuity” with the formal aspects of modern architecture designed under Italian fascism.
INTERIOR DESIGN
· Before and After: A Designer’s Own Modernist Renovation from a Purist Perspective (2/18, $18) This engaging talk takes audiences behind the scenes of a remarkable midcentury modern renovation, exploring the philosophy, process, and design decisions that shaped the transformation of a 1972 Richard A. Harrison residence in the architecturally significant Seven Lakes Golf & Country Club.
· The Palm Springs Look: What’s Next in Desert Decorating (2/15, $20) Hear how midmod decorating is changing, see the furniture and art people are collecting, with three top interior designers from the new book Inside Palm Springs.
· Modeline of California: The Birth of Modern Lighting (2/14, $18) Nick Ferrell presents materials from his new book Modeline of California: Pioneer of Modern Lighting and discusses the process of unearthing the once-lost history of the modern lighting industry.
PALM SPRINGS AND COACHELLA VALLEY
· Landscapes for Leisure: Modernist Design in the Coachella Valley’s Desert Playground (2/17, $18) Architectural historian Steven Keylon explores the rich history of the designed landscape of the Coachella Valley during the 20th century.
· Steel, Structure and Ambition: The Hyperbolic Paraboloid Takes Shape in the Coachella Valley (2/14, $25) The hyperbolic paraboloid, one iconic shape, deployed by three different architects in three different cities, illustrates the synchronicity of Coachella Valley’s modernism. A portion of ticket sales benefits the mission of Coachella Valley Preservation.
· Canyon Country Club: History and Design of Palm Springs’ Garden of Eden (2/18, FREE) Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board member Steve Treinen presents Canyon Country Club’s social and architectural history through vintage and contemporary imagery.
· From Inspiration to Innovation: Four Contemporary Masters Shaping the Future of Desert Modern Architecture (2/21, $35) Join contemporary master architects Barbara Bestor, Sean Lockyer, Leo Marmol and Lance O’Donnell discussing how desert modern architecture influenced their work and where it’s headed.
· Discovering Our Modern Modernists (2/15, FREE) Modernism Week invites you as our guests to a special pre-tour preview presentation on Palm Springs’ five vibrant Art Districts—each one a living archive of color, clarity, and curated rebellion.
· Desert Utopia: Oases of the Future in the Landscape of the Past (2/15, $18) Architectural historian Luke Leuschner presents a utopian history of the Coachella Valley’s architecture and urbanism, from early 20th-century Bohemian colonies to modernist country clubs.
· California Cool: Explore Palm Springs and Beyond Through the Modern Paintings of Danny Heller (2/18, FREE) Marvel at swaying palm trees, shimmering swimming pools, atomic architecture, and colorful classic cars as artist Danny Heller takes you on a road trip through his retro-focused paintings.
· Learning from Linksland: Golf’s Migration from Scotland to the Coachella Valley (2/17, $18) Golf began on the windswept coast of Scotland and migrated around the world to diverse landscapes including the Coachella Valley desert. This talk explores the changes wrought in that migration.
SPECIAL INTEREST
· Designing the Desert, and Other Landscapes: The Architecture of Paul R. Williams (2/14, $20) This talk convenes Getty curators who will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming exhibition series, I Am an Architect: Paul R. Williams, slated to launch in late 2026 at Getty, LACMA, and USC about the first Black architect to practice in the western US.
· Designing at the Intersection of Architecture, Landscape and Culture (2/17, $20) From dense urban centers to remote coastal landscapes, Susan T Rodriguez will discuss creating architecture that is fused with its surroundings and the natural world.
· Richard Neutra’s Quest for a ‘Planetary Platform’ and the Lovell Health House as Global Media Project (2/21, $18) Historian Edward Dimendberg, editor of the book, Richard Neutra and the Making of the Lovell Health House, 1925-35, explores the architect’s mastery of journalism, photography, and global media.
· Designing Dreams, Driving Desire: The Rise of Industrial Design in Mid-Century America and GM’s Defining Influence (2/13, $20) Discover post-war America’s Industrial Design rise—driven by GM’s influence and the cross-disciplinary creativity that powered this bold, emerging profession.
· Revealing a Modern Masterpiece: The Story of the Undiscovered Frank House (2/18, $20) Gropius and Breuer built their most important residence as a total work of art integrating architecture, furnishings and landscape. The owner offers a look at this stunning, undiscovered masterpiece.
· From St. Louis to Palm Springs. Grace Lewis Miller, Richard Neutra, and the Intriguing Story of Their 1937 Miller/Mensendieck House (2/17, $20) In July 1936, Grace Lewis Miller – recently widowed mother, socialite, and Mensendieck instructor, drove to Palm Springs. Within 1 month she commissioned Richard Neutra to design her house/studio.
· Eventually Everything Connects: Reframing Mid-Century Modern Design (2/15, $20) Join Cranbrook Art Museum curators in exploring the dynamic networks of people, ideas, and objects that make mid-century modern design so long lastingly captivating.
· Gio Ponti: From Milan to the World – The Rise of Italian Modernism (2/16, $20) Explore Gio Ponti, the visionary polymath behind the rise of Italian Modernism, whose innovative and elegant designs forged a global legacy inspiring architects, designers, and enthusiasts worldwide.
· Material Curiosity by Design: Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman from Mid-Century to Today (2/16, $20) Laura Ackerman-Shaw explores the vibrant designs of her parents, Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman, pioneers of the California midcentury modern aesthetic, and their impact on post-war design and décor.
· The Aloha Coat: A Brief History of Sandwich Isles Sportswear (2/17, $45) In this unique presentation, archivist Kenn Watson uncovers the rich and colorful history of Malia Hawaii and its sophisticated creation: the Aloha Coat.
FILMS
Each year. Modernism week offers an array of compelling and outstanding films. This year, film offerings include:
· World Film Premiere: “Curating Modernism” (2/13, $15) Filmmaker Jake Gorst premieres his new short documentary Curating Modernism, exploring the challenges of preserving 20th century Modern architecture in the United States.
· World Premiere Film: “GOOGIE” (2/14, $30, $125 VIP and rescreened 2/22, $15) This is a World Premiere screening of a definitive feature-length documentary about a pivotal chapter of Modern architecture, created by Design Onscreen and directed by award-winning filmmaker Jake Gorst.
· World Premiere Film: “Arthur Elrod: Desert Cool” (2/15, $35 film, $125 Film+Reception, and rescreened 2/22, $15) This new documentary explores the work of noted Palm Springs designer Aurthur Elrod, whose custom interiors matched the groundbreaking midcentury architecture rising in the desert.
· The Weird and Wonderful World of Industrial Musicals (2/13 and 2/14, $25) Bizarrely funny vintage film clips presented by Letterman Show and The Simpsons writer Steve Young offer an astonishing look at the secret corporate musical theater we were never meant to see.
· Encore Screening: Step Back in Time to See the Debut of the 1931 Aluminaire House (2/14 -2/17, 2/19, 2/21, 2/22, FREE) Take an unforgettable and immersive journey to 1931 and experience the Aluminaire House as seen by the public for the very first time. This film was the recipient of two 2025 Telly Awards. This immersive experience is presented by Modernism Week in celebration of the 10 years dedicated to promoting and supporting Aluminaire’s arrival and reassembly in Palm Springs.
· Preservation Mirage Presents Richard Neutra’s Maslon House (2/20, $15, $45) This is an encore screening of a documentary film about the Maslon House, a 1962 Modernist masterpiece designed by Richard Neutra. The Rancho Mirage home was suddenly razed in 2002, sparking international outrage.
· Short Documentary Double Feature: “Curating Modernism” and “American Look” (2/22, $10) Curating Modernism explores the challenges of preserving 20th century Modern architecture in the U.S. while American Look is a remastered version of a 1958 promotional film for the 1959 Chevrolet Impala.
· “Unforgettable Montevideo: When Cities Forget–The Global Battle for Architectural Heritage” (2/16, $18) This film is a cinematic reflection on memory, identity, and the universal challenge of protecting architectural heritage.
· “The Fifth Wall: The Edward Fields Story” (2/16, $20) This compelling documentary depicts the life and legacy of Edward Fields, the visionary who elevated carpets from simple floor coverings to bespoke works of art, reshaping American interior design.
· Home Movie Jukebox with Deserted Films (2/17 and 2/21, $25) Back by audience demand, Palm Springs’ own Deserted Films offers new, informative and hilarious supercut of clips from their vast collection of 8mm, Super 8, and 16.
Modernism Week top sponsors include Ferguson Home, Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Monogram, Cotino, DWR, Flor, and Natural Retreats. The City of Palm Springs is the Civic Presenting Sponsor. To receive Modernism Week updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X.
