USModernist Radio - Architecture You Love
USModernist Radio is a top-rated American architecture podcast that explores Modernist architecture through engaging conversations with people who own, create, love, and hate these controversial houses and buildings. The show features a lively crew discussing the most iconic and debated structures in the world.
Episodes
#460/Children of Genius: Jennifer Lapidus + Jenny Jacks Shreve + Musical Guest Stacey Kent
In another of our wildly popular series, Children of Genius, we talk with family of famous architects, starting with Jennifer Lapidus, granddaughter of Morris Lapidus who reshaped Miami with hotels like the Fontainebleau. Next, Jenny Jacks Shreve, daughter of Arkansas architect Ernie Jacks, who worked on the Kennedy Center with Edward Durell Stone and the Case Study Houses with Craig Ellwood. Lat
#459/Architect Tom Phifer + Author Alastair Gordon + Musical Guest Jeanie Bryson
Acclaimed architect Tom Phifer builds around light, with three decades designing buildings that make walls feel invisible. Author Alastair Gordon has written more than 28 books and knows all the midcentury Modern houses in the Hamptons that shaped American architecture. Jeanie Bryson spent decades as a jazz vocalist, sharing stages with Grover Washington Jr., Kenny Burrell, and Etta Jones. Hav
#458/Elizabeth Gordon's 1953 Bombshell with Monica Penick + Goff with Alison Fisher + Musical Guest Naema Gheber
Elizabeth Gordon was editor-in-chief of House Beautiful. In April 1953 she published an influential and controversial editorial that rocked the architecture world, presenting Modernism as uncomfortable, impractical, and like communism a threat to American cultural values. We'll talk with author Monica Penick, author of the definitive book on Gordon, 2001's Tastemaker. Next up, Alison Fisher just
#457/The US Embassy in Dublin: Cormac Murray + Norman McGrath + Christen Johansen + Laurence Lafforgue
On this special edition of USModernist taped live earlier this year at the Onera Foundation in New Canaan CT, we explore diplomacy through Modernist architecture with three guests: Dublin architect Cormac Murray gives a talk on John Johansen's US Embassy in Dublin; legendary photographer Norman McGrath, who shot that building soon after it opened, and architect Christen Johansen, son of John Joha
#456/Tom Gluck + Nick Ferrell + Mark Lamster + Special Musical Guest Jon Secada
New York architect Tom Gluck of GLUCKplus, son of architect Peter Gluck, takes us behind the scenes of projects from prefab high-rises in Manhattan to his Tower House in upstate New York. Nick Ferrell brings the history of Modernist lighting design in Modeline of California: Pioneer of Modern Lighting, with lamps that have inspired designers for decades. And freshly-minted Pulitzer prize winner Ma
#455/Uruguay with David Coffey + Neutra with Cindy Olnick + Musical Guests Lenore Raphael and Chris Hodgkins
In Bakersfield CA, David Coffey preserves two houses one by Neutra, and one by Wright, but today we talk about his passion, Modernism in Uruguay. In Los Angeles, Cindy Olnick stewards the Neutra Institute. Later on, jazz duo Lenore Raphael and Chris Hodgkins reunite for their joyful new album, Pennies From Heaven.
#454/NCModernism with Phil Szostak and Ben Taylor + Musical Guests Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks
We're talking about North Carolina, our home state. Architect Phil Szostak has shaped some of the state's most prominent cultural spaces and houses. Architect Ben Taylor's long career starting in the 1950's has left a lasting mark across North Carolina. Later, it's straight out of Birdland with musical guests Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks.
#453/Modernism in Ukraine with Dmytro Soloviov + Ben Wever + Hallie Swensen + Robert Stone
Imagine doing Modernist preservation – in a war zone. Dmytro Soloviov documents Ukraine's modernist architecture. Ben Wever cares for one of America's modernist treasures, the Miller House in Columbus, Indiana. Hallie Swenson uncovers the stories of San Diego Modernism, and architect Robert Stone brings new desert Modernism to life.
#452/USModernist Retro: Bjarke Ingels + Musical Guest Halie Loren
We dug into the podcast vault for one of the most successful and admired architects in the world, Bjarke Ingels of BIG. Later, we swoon over jazz vocalist Halie Loren.
#451/Steve Young + Megan Reilly + Musical Guests Eric Stabnau and the Glenn Miller Orchestra
Ready for a dose of music, design, and spectacle? Steve Young digs up wild, forgotten midcentury industrial musicals and somehow makes them catchy again. Megan Reilly turns WestEdge LA into a playground of design, ideas, and inspiration. And Erik Stabnau keeps the venerable Glenn Miller Orchestra swinging, blowing the roof off of jazz clubs, arenas, coliseums, and amphitheaters after almost 100 y
#450/American Versailles with Natalie Morath + Modernist Renovations with Linda Brettler and Marcos Santa Ana + Musical Guest John Pizzarelli
Archivist Natalie Morath is keeper of Eero Saarinen's GM Technical Center history, bringing the amazing campus to life for yet another generation of fans. Linda Brettler renovated Raphael Soriano's 1964 Grossman House, and Marcos Santa Ana transformed the Wagoya House. Later, musical guest John Pizzarelli, with a sound that's both timeless and new.
#449/Chris Roman + Ed Dimenberg and Crosby Doe + Holland Murphy + Musical Guest Claudia Burson
Chris Roman designs a Modernist fire station in Richmond VA. Authors Edward Dimendberg and Crosby Doe share the story of the breakout project for Richard Neutra, the Lovell Health house in Los Angeles. Holland Murphy investigates an architectural mystery in Dallas, and from northwest Arkansas, musical guest Claudia Burson.
#448/Joe Massaro's Wright Stuff + Corbett Jones + Glenn Kurtz's New York + Musical Guest Jenna Esposito
Joe Massaro brought an unbuilt Frank Lloyd Wright design to life and weathered 20 years of criticism from Wright purists; Corbett Jones share his new documentary on Arts and architecture magazine and the Case Study Houses; Glenn Kurtz gracked down the men in Lewis Hine's iconic Empire State Building photographs, turning symbols into real people; and musical guest Jenna Esposito keeps the 60's aliv
#447/USModernist Radio Retro: Where No Furniture Has Gone Before + Special Musical Guest Jennifer Warnes
We've dug into the podcast vault for the story of Star Trek's furniture. Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek launched a franchise in 1966 and is still going strong 60 years later. Sequels, movies, toys, fan films - there's just no end to Star Trek's bright, progressive, optimistic future where Earth has transcended national and international politics. Something architecture fans may have missed, and we
#446/Carin Carlson + Tim Mitchell + Author Anthony Alofsin + Nevada's Paige Figanbaum + Musical Guests Naomi and her Handsome Devils
Architects Carin Carlson and Tim Mitchell from Hennebery Eddy Architects restore mid-century and Mission 66–era architecture. Anthony Alofsin, one of the world's leading authorities on Frank Lloyd Wright, joins us to talk about his new book, Frank Lloyd Wright's Bogk House and reveals his new, famous cousin. Paige Figenbaum, Executive Director of the Nevada Preservation Foundation, tells us about
#445/Two Gentlemen Admiring Architecture: Australia's Tim Ross + UK's Kevin McCloud + Musical Guest Leigh Pilzer
Kevin McCloud and Tim Ross are hosts of Tim and Kev's Big Design Adventure, a globe-trotting podcast centered on people, places, architecture, and design. Later, baritone saxophonist Leigh Pilzer, whose powerful sound has anchored ensembles from the DIVA Jazz Orchestra to the immortal Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
#444/Lawrence Kocher with Ines Martin Robles and Luis Pancorbo + Steven Hurtt on Colin Rowe + Jo Franzen on Ulrich + Musical Guest Kim Kashiw
The venerable magazine Architectural Record is one of the most influential design publications in the world, clocking in 135 years of extraordinary coverage. You can see all their issues at usmodernist.org/index-ar. Today we'll explore one of their editors, Lawrence Kocher, with Luis Pancorbo and Ines Martin Robles. We'll talk with Steven Hurtt on The Urban Design Legacy of famed critic Colin Ro
#443/Author Blake Gopnik + Holland Murphy + Saarinen's Arch with Pam Sanfilippo + Musical Guests Jeff Bush + The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
First up, for our concrete fans, art critic and author Blake Gopnik looks inside modernism through his book, Brutalist Interiors. Holland Murphy solves the mystery of a house in Dallas. From there, we head to St. Louis, where Pam Sanfilippo of the Eero Saarinen-designed Gateway Arch National Park shares how Saarinen's soaring 630-foot monument endures for millions of visitors. And we wrap up wit
#442/Holland Taylor + Touring Palm Springs with Shann Carr and JD Cargill + Adele Cygelman on Arthur Elrod + Musical Guest Lenore Raphael
Starting with Los Angeles, we'll talk with Rudolph Schindler homeowner, and star of Two and a Half Men, Holland Taylor. Then we move to Palm Springs, the center of the Universe for midcentury Modernism. Everybody who's a fan of Modernism needs to plan a trip, and today we'll talk with Palm Springs tour guides Shann Carr and JD Cargill, author Adele Cygelman and her new documentary Arthur Elrod: M
#441/USModernist Radio Retro - The Lake House: Nathan Crowley + Fritz Hengge + Musical Guest Heather Rigdon
We've dug into the podcast vault to one of our favorite shows: the story of the awesome Modernist house in the 2006 movie, The Lake House, starring Keanu Reaves and Sandra Bullock. The house stole the show, and we'll talk to the architect Nathan Crowley and the engineer, Fritz Hengge.
#440/New Architecture + Design Films: Allie Rood + Beck Carpenter + Danny Berish and Ryan Mah + Musical Guest Brandi Disterheft
Today we'll talk with producers of architecture and design documentaries featured in Kyle Bergman's Architecture and Design Film Festival which opened last fall and continues around the world. Filmmaker Allie Rood's Prickly Mountain captures Vermont's countercultural design/build movement. Beck Carpenter's Space Architect tells the story of NASA architect Constance Adams, whose pioneering designs
#439/Saving a Lundy with Carol and Dan Price + Sarasota's Erin DiFazio + Celanese House with Joel Disend and Inger Stringfellow + Special Musical Guest Pat Boone
Carol and Dan Price stepped in to save architect Victor Lundy's Bellaire, Texas, home just weeks before demolition. Erin DiFazio champions Sarasota's architectural heritage, and owner Joel Disend shares his 1959 Edward Durell Stone house in New Canaan, Connecticut. Then from teen idol to chart-topper to movie star to pro basketball team owner (and Debbie's dad), we've got the great Pat Boone, wi
#438/Children of Genius: Llisa Demetrios + Sarah and Cameron Nims + Gabriela Liebert + Musical Guest Susan Tobocman
In our continuing series, Children of Genius, we'll talk with the children of extraordinary architects. First, Llisa Demetrios, Curator of the Eames Institute and youngest granddaughter of design legends Ray and Charles Eames. Next, Sarah and Cameron Nims, children of Florida architect Rufus Nims, and later, we'll talk with Gabriela Liebert, the architect reviving Nim's iconic "Jetsons House" in M
#437/USModernist Radio Retro: Harwell Hamilton Harris with Lisa Germany + Frank Harmon
We've dug into the USModernist Radio vault to bring back a special interview on early 20th century Modernist Harwell Hamilton Harris, with author Lisa Germany and Harris' friend and executor, Frank Harmon.
#436/Libraries with Margaret Sullivan and Jim Richard + Architects Glenda Flaim and Federico Engel + Musical Guest Matt Belsante
Today on the show, George writes a song in 30 seconds. Architects Margaret Sullivan and Jim Richärd turn libraries into vibrant hubs. Glenda Flaim and Federico Engel restore a William Wurster house in San Francisco, and later we'll croon with musical guest Matt Belsante.
#435/Archispeak's Evan Troxel + Developer Ken Reiter + Architect Jason Langkammerer + Musical Guest Julianna Raye
Today we welcome podcast host Evan Troxel of Archispeak; developer Ken Reiter, who answers the question, what do you do with a old Modernist school? Jason Langkammerer, founder of AT6 Architecture + Design Build, on renovating his own house; and returning podcast guest, the enchanting Julianna Raye, singer-songwriter and CEO of Unified Mindfulness, blending soulful music with meditation practice.
#434/Author Volker Welter + Cranbrook's Andrew Blauvelt + Musical Guests Kathy and Gregg Gelb
Our first guest Volker Welter uncovers how architect Leopold Fischer fled Europe to shape Modernism in the US. We have Cranbrook Museum's Chief Curator Andrew Blauvelt, and later, musical guests Gregg and Kathy Gelb in a tribute to Paul Montgomery.
#433/USModernist Radio Retro: Daniel Libeskind + Moshe Safdie
We've dug into the podcast vault to bring back two interviews with internationally respected architects Moshe Safdie and Danlel Libeskind.
#432/Tulsa's Shane Hood + Iowa's Peter Maunu + Architect Emily Almloff + Musical Guests Danger Hall
Shane Hood safeguards Tulsa's architectural gems. Peter Maunu lovingly restored Frank Lloyd Wright's Lamberson House in Iowa. Emily Almloff, the youngest licensed architect in the US, is transforming hospitals across the Midwest. Later, musical guests Danger Hall, with Peter Lamb and Daniel Hall.
#431/A Fistful of Modernism: Prolific Authors Alan Hess + Dominic Bradbury + Sam Lubell + Architects Harper Halprin and Aaron Leshtz + Musical Guest Steve Rosenbloom Big Band
First up, three prolific architecture authors: Alan Hess, Dominic Bradbury, and Sam Lubell. Then we meet Harper Halprin and Aaron Leshtz of AAHA Studio — a marriage proving that design collaboration isn't just for coworkers. And later, Montreal-born jazz master Steve Rosenbloom, who leads a 16-piece ensemble by night and is a psychologist by day.
#430/Local Project's Aidan Anderson + Rattan Man Harvey Schwartz + UK's Hugh Martin
Aidan Anderson is a former carpenter in Sydney Australia who turned a local furniture business into the Local Project, a worldwide media company for architecture and design. Trading a career a NASA for furniture, you will meet The Rattan Man Harvey G. Schwartz. And later, Hugh Martin, one of the founders of the UK Modern House Index, a huge digital archive documenting British modernist homes from
#429/USModernist Radio Retro: The Ferris Buehler House
We've dug into the podcast vault to bring back a show from the first year of USModernist Radio. One of the best 80s films is Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Here's the plot: near the end of the school year, high school senior Ferris Bueller (played by Matthew Broderick) fakes being sick to stay home. His parents believe him, though his sister Jeanie (played by Jennifer Grey, the baby you don't back int
#428/The Complete Tom Kundig: Tom Kundig + Jim Dow + Musical Guests Veronneau
Tom Kundig of Seattle's Olson Kundig is a superstar in residential architecture, and he's got a new book, Complete Houses. But you can't have a world-class architect without a world-class builder, and we'll talk with Kundig's close friend and frequent collaborator, Jim Dow of Dowbuilt. Later, you'll hear Veronneau, a husband-and-wife duo whose tunes go around the world.
#427/YouTube's Stewart Hicks + Pinball with Brian Horowitz + Willis Wonderland with Hillary Carlip
Back on the show is one of our favorite guests, YouTube architecture star Professor Stewart Hicks; Brian Horowitz revives the joy and nostalgia of pinball, that midcentury pastime that was going to rot our midcentury minds; and author Hillary Carlip shares the wonderful world of Willis Wonderland, a new popup book for all ages.
#426/E. Fay Jones with Jonathan Formanek + Andy Whitmore + Bad Design with Maggie Weber
E. Fay Jones is a name most architects know but the public does not. A student of Frank Lloyd Wright, Jones blurred the line between indoors and outdoors with careful use of wood, stone, and glass. It's like these buildings just emerge from the woods. Today, we've got three people dedicated to preserving Jones legacy. David McKee worked for Jones and is the go-to guy for restoring houses. We'll
#425/Michigan's Peter Forguson + UK's Michael Diamant + Musical Guest Brent Jensen
We've got author and architect Peter Forguson celebrating Michigan's extraordinary collection of bold, Modernist houses with the new book Contemporary Michigan, from the UK, Michael Diamant rants against Modernism, and later on, musical guest Brent Jensen serves classic tunes made famous by Paul Desmond.
#424/Kata Walters + Allison C. Meier + Kyle Bergman + Musical Guest Klas Lindquist
Kata Walters went from the catwalk to the construction site, changing from an international career in modeling to building Modernist houses. Allison C. Meier shares her map of New York, uncovering hidden histories in architecture and culture from cemeteries to the streets. Kyle Bergman of the New York Architecture and Design Film Festival shares this year's highlights, and from Sweden, musical gu
#423/Children of Genius: Toby Rapson + Ron Kappe + Musical Guest Holly Cole
We're back with one of our most popular segments, Children of Genius. Them apples don't fall too far from the tree, and today we'll hear from two that dropped nearby, Toby Rapson and Ron Kappe. They grew up immersed in Modernist design with some of the most influential architecture of the 20th century, thanks to their fathers Ralph Rapson and Ray Kappe, tradition they continue today. Later, Modern
#422/New Palm Springs with Jill Lewis and John Hreno + SOCOMCM's Edward Peck + Musical Guest Jaimee Paul
You all know we love midcentury modern houses in Palm Springs, but what about new ones? These will be the houses we will tour and sip martinis at and give lectures about 40 years from now. Today we'll talk with one of those architects, Jill Lewis, about a new house in the Desert Palisades area of Palm Springs, along with the landscape architect for that project, John Hreno. Then we'll meet the
#421/Architecture Authors Dominic Bradbury + Adam Stech + Musical Guest Elijah Rock
Who's the author of that architecture book on your coffee table? It's probably written by one of our guests, Dominic Bradbury and Adam Stech. Later on, jazz with returning musical guest Elijah Rock.
#420/Macy Snyder-Amatucci with John Snyder + Ian Volner + Bill Cotter + Music from Lenore Raphael
Today, it's Bartlesville, Oklahoma, home to Frank Lloyd Wright's skyscraper, the 19-story Price Tower, talking with new owners Macy Snyder-Amatucci and John Snyder, about their plan to bring the tower back to life. Then it's on to Washington DC and the administration's plans for architecture, with writer and critic Ian Volner. Next, World's Fairs with Bill Cotter, and later, music from jazz pianis
#419/I'll Take Architecture for $1000: Jade Snelling + Catherine Croft + Sarah and Debbie Dykstra + Musical Guests Thomas Lauderdale and Pink Martini
Do you like architecture? Do you like Jeopardy? Recent Jeopardy contestant Jade Snelling is an archivist at Virginia Tech working at the International Archive of Women in Architecture, preserving the history of women architects around the world. Next we've got Catherine Croft, the Director of the Twentieth Century Society dedicated to protecting Britain's most significant 20th-century buildings.
#418/Dustin Bramell + Cary O'Dell + Sarah and Debbie Dykstra + Music from Lenore Raphael
Every serious Modernist fan knows about the Case Study Houses, the legendary program started by John Entenza of Arts and Architecture Magazine in the 1950's, attracting top and emerging architects to create affordable houses for Los Angeles. We'll talk with Dustin Bramell, who's working to create a new series of Case Study Houses; Cary O'Dell on the great Bucky Fuller; mother-daughter duo Sarah
#417/Author Pairs: Corey and Margaret Bienert + Jonathan Schroeder and Janet Borgerson + Adriene Biondo and Chris Nichols
Our last set of poolside interviews from Modernism Week 2025 features three fun and exciting author pairs: Corey and Margeret Bienert on midcentury motels, Jonathan Schroeder and Janet Borgerson on instructional records, and Adriene Biondo and Chris Nichols on the sporting craze of the 1950's - bowling!
#416/Sam Lubell + Sarah Broughton + John Rowland + Musical Guest Taurey Butler
Welcome to USModernist Radio, where we talk and laugh with people who enjoy, own, create, dream about, preserve, love, and hate Modernist architecture, the most exciting and controversial buildings in the world. It's Monday, August 4, and we've got prolific architecture author Sam Lubell, Colorado architects Rowland and Broughton, and musical guest Taurey Butler. Plus, a new addition for the USMo
#415/Charles Phoenix + Barton Jahncke + Tiki with Peter Moruzzi and Sven Kirsten
From the swanky USModernist compound in Palm Springs during Modernism Week 2025, it's a full schedule of poolside guests. We've got pop culture historian Charles Phoenix, the Craig Ellwood Whisperer Barton Jahncke, and authors Peter Moruzzi and Sven Kirsten on the most fun you can have in a brightly colored Polynesian shirt - tiki bars.
#414/Architects Tod Williams + Paul Masi + Jon Gentry + Musical Guest Carrie Marshall
On the blue plate special today we've got a full platter of deliciously talented architects, with Tod Williams, Paul Masi, and Jon Gentry. Later on for a jazzy dessert, music with Carrie Marshall.
#413/Daughters Of Design Saarinen Bertoia Eames + Phillip Cox and Niall Cronin + Special Musical Guest Ari Shapiro
Recorded poolside at the swanky USModernist compound during Modernism Week 2025, this week we're hanging with the Daughters of Design: Susan Saarinen, Celia Bertoia, and Carla Hartman. Back in the studio, authors Phillip Cox and Niall Cronin on architect Evans Woollen, and later, a well-known NPR host who's toured with Pink Martini, special musical guest Ari Shapiro.
#412/Sian Winship + Bobak Ha'eri + Spencer Luckey + Music by Lenore Raphael
Joining us today is architectural historian Sian Winship; Minnesota's MVP for midcentury modern, Bobak Ha'Eri; Spencer Luckey on his playgrounds, and music by jazz pianist Lenore Raphael.
#411/All About Mies with Iveta Cerna + Dirk Lohan + Max Strang on Gene Leedy
From poolside at the swanky USModernist compound during Modernism Week, we're all about two architects: Chicago's Mies van der Rohe with guests Iveta Cerna, director of the Villa Tugendhat in Brno, Czech Republic; and Mies's grandson, architect Dirk Lohan. Later on, we'll hear from Max Strang, archivist of Gene Leedy and his impressive Florida architecture.
#410/Capital Brutalism with Angela Person and Aileen Fuchs + Bad Prefab + Special Musical Guest Madeleine Peyroux
This week is the close of a wildly popular exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington DC called Capital Brutalism, the history of DC's best Modernist buildings. With us is Executive Director Aileen Fuchs and head curator Angela Person. Heading to California, we'll hear what happened to a couple who went all-in on prefab, which is great, but then their prefab company went belly up,
#409/Chris Rawlins on Horace Gifford + Donald Luxton on Arthur Erickson + David Fixler
From poolside in Palm Springs during Modernism Week 2025, today's guests are authors Chris Rawlins on Fire Island's Horace Gifford, Donald Luxton on Vancouver's Arthur Erickson, and recorded at the PRP4 DOCOMOMO conference in Boston, David Fixler.
#408/Authors Nora Wendl + Todd Gannon + Kevin Murphy + Mary Ann Hunting + Musical Guest Gabrielle Stravelli
When you hear about architect Mies van der Rohe and his famous Farnsworth House in Plano Illinois, little is said of the client. Today you'll learn the real story of Dr. Edith Farnsworth from author Nora Wendl, we talk with Todd Gannon about architect Frank Israel, plus authors Kevin Murphy and Mary Anne Hunting on women architects in the early days of Modernism. Later on, tacos with musical gues
#407/Men About Town: Christopher Kennedy + Kip Serafin + Kurt Cyr
From poolside at the swanky USModernist compound in Palm Springs, today's guests are the three distinguished men about town. Need a midcentury sofa in green tomorrow? How about a tour for 25? Or a private cocktail party at the Dinah Shore house? Who are you gonna call? As the expression goes, we got a guy, actually three guys, who make these wonderful kinds of things happen.
#406/Ben Rousseau + Ian Koblick + John Jennifer Marx
From watches to undersea lodges to 21st century architecture, we'll step outside the box a bit today to talk exquisite timepieces with Ben Rousseau, underwater house pioneer Ian Koblick, and architect John Jennifer Marx.
#405/Colin Flavin + Tim Techler + Halsey Smith + Keith York + Alexandra Bregman
From poolside at Modernism Week 2025, we'll talk with Colin Flavin, Halsey Smith, and Tim Techler on the architecture of Walter Gropius in Massachusetts and William Krisel in Palm Springs. Back in the studio, San Diego's top Modernist realtor and ardent preservationist Keith York has a new book on Craig Ellwood -- and Alexandra Bregman hunts for a Philip Johnson house. UPDATE: A previous version o
#404/Celeste Robbins + Grant Kirkpatrick + Duan Tran + Lisa Gralnek
Today on the show number 404, architects Celeste Robbins, Grant Kirkpatrick, and Duan Tran, and podcast host Lisa Gralnek. Plus the wit and wisdom of Modernist homeowner, Burt Reynolds!
#403/Steve Treinen + James Cioffi + Helen Thompson + Musical Guest Champian Fulton
From poolside at the swanky USModernist compound in Palm Springs during Modernism Week 2025, we will meet Steve Treinen, with a new book on the Indian Canyons area in Palm Springs, plus Palm Springs architect James Cioffi, who sheds light on a pervasive myth. Back in the studio, we'll hear from author Helen Thompson on Aspen plus lovely tunes from musical guest Champian Fulton.
#402/National Notables: National Trust's Carol Quillen + AIA's Evelyn Lee + Tucson's Demion Clinco + HGTV's Elizabeth Finkelstein
Today we'll visit with the CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Carol Quillen; the 2025 President of the AIA, Evelyn Lee; the founder of Tucson Modern, Demion Clinco, and the co-host of HGTV's Who's Afraid of a Cheap Old House, Elizabeth Finkelstein.
#401/DOCOMOMO's Liz Waytkus + Photographer Andrew Pielage + Architect Paul McClean + Musical Guest Laura Anglade
From poolside at the swanky USModernist compound in Palm Springs during Modernism Week 2025, we'll talk to Liz Waytkus, Executive Director of DOCOMOMO-US and photographer-on-a-quest Andrew Pielage. Back in the studio, we'll hear from LA's architect to the stars, Paul McClean and musical guest Laura Anglade.
#400/Ten Years of USModernist Radio! Highlights Show
Since launching the podcast ten years ago in 2015, hosts George Smart and Tom Guild have had fascinating conversations with over 700 guests, including architects, owners, media, critics, authors, actors, and jazz performers. USModernist Radio is one of America's top-rated architecture and jazz podcasts, ranked in the past as #1 by Atomic Ranch and #2 by Dwell. The 400th episode features intervie
#399/The Palm Springs School: Alan Hess + Janice Lyle + Sidney Williams / Russell Brown + Tom Lazarus / Musical Guest Colleen Duffy of Devil Doll
From poolside at the swanky USModernist compound in Palm Springs, three stars of the Modernist movement, Alan Hess + Janice Lyle + Sidney Williams, discussing what's become known as the Palm Springs School of Modernism and an accompanying new book. From the studio, Russell Brown and Tom Lazarus on their recent stage play called LISTING, plus returning musical guest Colleen Duffy of Devil Doll.
#398/Color: Architect Wid Chapman + Color Expert Sara McLean + Musical Guest Laura Pursell
Modernist architecture makes special use of light and color, and with us today, architect Wid Chapman, color expert Sara McLean, and musical guest and expert skater, Laura Pursell.
#397/Richard Neutra: Raymond Neutra + Catherine Meyler + Noam Saragosti + Scott Goldstein + Special Musical Guests Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses.
Today from Palm Springs during Modernism Week we explore architect Richard Neutra with guests Raymond Neutra of the Neutra Institute and Catherine Meyler, owner of a celebrated Neutra house. Back in the studio, we'll hear about Neutra's VDL house in Los Angeles from Executive Director Noam Saragosti; Neutra's sadly destroyed Maslon House from filmmaker Scott Goldstein; and special musical guests L
#396/Architecture Research Office + Kevin Alter + Musical Guest Carrie Marshall
You'll hear from the principal architects of Architecture Research Office (ARO), Adam Yarinsky, Stephen Cassell, and Kim Yao. We'll explore a 12,000 sf Modernist house in Dallas with architect Kevin Alter, and wrapping up, musical guest Carrie Marshall.
#395/Architecture Books 3: Dan Chavkin + Jeffrey Head + Jo Lauria + Penny Craswell + Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel
With so many good architecture books coming out, we can barely keep up. Today we'll explore Architectural Pottery with Dan Chavkin, Jeffrey Head, and Jo Lauria; sustainable houses with Penny Craswell, and the Queen of architecture interviews, journalist and historian Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, who has a new book out on New York.
#394/Preservation Chicago's Ward Miller + Justin Davidson + Musical Guest Eddie Mugavero of Bada Bing Bada Boom
We visit with Ward Miller of Preservation Chicago; design critic and New York Magazine writer Justin Davidson; and musical guest Eddie Mugavero of the beloved Nashville swing band Bada Bing Bada Boom.
#393/Architecture Books 2: DJ Waldie + Dominic Bradbury + Pierluigi Serraino
Following up on last week, three more authors with exciting books on architecture and design. DJ Waldie is the bard of Lakewood California with a new book, Becoming Los Angeles. Past podcast guest, the prolific Dominic Bradbury, has a new Atlas of modernist icons. And returning podcast guest Pierluigi Serraino shares in the new book Modern Garden how often-underappreciated landscape design was t
#392/Architecture Books 1: Aaron Betsky + Sam Lubell and Darren Bradley + Carl D'Silva
With so many good architecture books coming out, we can barely keep up scheduling interviews, but we are gonna try. Joining the show are authors Aaron Betsky and Sam Lubell, architecture photographer Darren Bradley, and Danish Modern furniture savant, Carl D'Silva. More books and authors next week!
#391/Architecture Movies: Valentina Ganeva + Ken Ogborn + Special Musical Guest Melora Hardin
It's architecture movie day, and with us is Valentina Ganeva, the producer/director of the latest doc on Rudolph Schindler, Schindler Space Architect. Actor Ken Ogborn shares his role in a short film on photography and brutalism in the UK. Then it's the actress and singer we've loved for decades in just about everything, like Monk and Friends and The Office, Melora Hardin.
#390/Children Of Genius: Jim Venturi + Peter Nowicki + Sue Ann Kahn
It's another exciting edition of our Children of Genius show, with guests Jim Venturi, son of Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi; Peter Nowicki, son of Matthew and Siasia Nowicki; and Sue Ann Kahn, daughter of Lou Kahn.
#389/Subways with John McAslan + The Toast of Illinois, Champaign + Breakfast with Musical Guest Monika Ryan
Today's new mega-transportation centers are sweeping complexes for airports and subways to move millions of people. They are huge canvasses for architects like today's guest, Scottish architect John McAslan, who's working on the hot mess that is Penn Station. Later we'll explore the Toast of Illinois, Champaign, with Phillip Kalantzis-Cope, author of Mid-Continent Modern and one of Champaign's a
#388/Kevin Keim on Charles Moore + Evan Dyer Rebuilds an Ellwood + Lou Grotta Preserves a Meier
Charles Moore, the architect of California's famous Sea Ranch, was one of the chief proponents of postmodernism. His work brought a return to more ornamental detail, steep roofs, and shingles, among other classical features, and we'll learn more from Kevin Keim, Director of the Charles Moore Foundation. Next, you've heard for a year about the destruction of Craig Ellwood's Zimmerman house in Los
#387/Rudolph at the Met: Abraham Thomas + June Goldfinger + Kelvin Dickinson + Musical Guest Chelsee Hicks with Wholly Cats Swing Club
Paul Rudolph's buildings, built and unbuilt, continue to inspire clients, annoy critics, and gain fame, even though he died in the mid-90's. These days, though, it's almost all smiles and admiration, and there's an important exhibition of Rudolph's work at the Metropolitan Museum in New York through March. Year round on certain days, however, you can visit Rudolph's former office in New York, th
#386/BIG's Dominyka Voelkle + Justin Wood on Carter Sparks + Musical Guest Diana Panton
The Bjarke Ingels Group completed the Spiral, a tower in Hudson Yards with tree-lined terraces going around the building, all the way up. Today we'll talk with project architect, Dominyka Voelkle. Later, you'll discover architect Carter Sparks through his number one fan and archivist, Justin Wood. Then it's returning musical guest, jazz superstar and high school teacher, the delightful Canadian
#385/Christina Lindal + Aris Georges + Lauren Rottet + Musical Guests Phat Cat Swinger
For decades, we've been reading about Lindal Cedar Homes in design magazines. Now, under the leadership of third-generation President Christina Lindal they've branched out into compelling designs inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. And inside great houses like this, you're probably going to need good decorating advice, so we go to Montauk New York to talk with author and interior designer Lauren Rot
#384/Christmas Show: Architect Adam Sebastian + Quinn Garvey + Musical Guest Angela Bingham
It's our annual Christmas show, and In the studio we have a partner in one of North Carolina's hottest firms, architect Adam Sebastian. We talk with Quinn Garvey, our special agent inside the amazing Craig Ellwood house that Chris Pratt tore down in early 2024, and later, jazz with Angela Bingham.
#383/Celebrity with Allison Martino + Bill Boggs / Columbus with Matt Shaw
Celebrities aren't typically huge fans of Modernist architecture. Most prefer a 1930's mansion or an Italianate villa. But there are a few, like Jennifer Aniston, Holland Taylor, Scott Caan, Kelly Lynch, Leonardo DiCaprio, and others who keep Modernist houses in the spotlight. Today we'll talk with Alison Martino, producer, historian, and preservationist, the Godmother of Old Hollywood and Los An
#382/Bottoms Up: David & Jason Annecy + SHAG + Amy the Barware Lady!
The town of Lancaster OH is famous as the birthplace of David Graf, best known as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry in the Police Academy series. Lancaster is also famous for … glassware, and their best-known creative rebel was Fran Taylor. From 1939 to 1962, Taylor ran GayFad Studios, and 60+ years after her business closed, partners Jason and David Annecy have revived the brand, opened a store, and held
Be Part of Show 400 - USModernist Radio's 10th Year!
We can't believe it, but USModernist Radio will be ten years old soon. We'll have a special show number 400 featuring past guests and - you! Are you a fan of the show? Learned something useful? Got a funny story? Please contact George Smart george@usmodernist.org or 919.740.8407
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