The Inhabitat team is on site here in Palm Springs at the Dwell On Design conference, and we’ve just wrapped up a full day of lectures from distinguished speakers on topics such as Visions of Utopia and the Future of Desert Architecture. This morning’s lineup included a panel discussion and lectures by architects, designers, critics, and historians, focusing on the legacy of mid-century modern architecture in Palm Springs.
Alastair Gordon, author and critic, and Gwendolyn Wright, architectural historian, mentioned the rare but significant use of recycled materials in mid-century modern structures, and highlighted contextual regionalism and the integration of the indoor and outdoor, drawing an interesting parallel between Modernism and sustainability. While most of the morning’s discussion centered around the long history of modern architecture in a desert context, we were especially intrigued by the afternoon’s Future of Desert Architecture segment, during which Leo Marmol and Jennifer Siegal spoke about sustainable advancements in their own work and the potential of green technologies for future projects.
Jennifer Siegal, founder of the Office of Mobile Design, spoke about the power of technology, materials, and mobility to change the trajectory of the design world towards a more prefab-focused, transient, and practical language. Images of previous projects such as a small-scale mobile classroom as well as current experimental concepts demonstrated Siegal’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of affordable prefabricated structures ($240-$265 per square foot) and reframing the stigma of mobile housing.
Leo Marmol of Marmol Radziner closed out the day, examining the future of our built environment and posing the question, “what can we as architects do?” His recent prefab designs came out of this question, not as a solution, but as a “way to feel like we could do something.” He spoke about his prefabrication process and the importance of in-house construction as a means to reduce waste and increase efficiency. His thoughtufl approach to modern green architecture demonstrates a sensitivity to the environment without sacrificing an impeccably-designed modernist aesthetic.
Stay tuned for upcoming interviews with Jennifer Siegal and Leo Marmol in the next few days.
+ Dwell On Design
+ Office of Mobile Design
+ Marmol Radziner
wish i was there!!!
i’m anxious to see pictures + hear more..
Very well indeed! I personally am an artist writer who love the mid century design architecture in Palm Springs
and would personally endorse on sustaining its potential influence into the future. Would like to be contacted
on such events as that would keep me inform of upcoming news with modern concepts with desert architecture.
Please advise as to how I can be connected to speakers programs such as this one by Dwell on Design. I am also currently an upcoming rug designer with my own company, Blue Giraffe.
Thank You!
Marina
Palm Springs, CA
Very impressive information from your website.
Those sun shade design is good reference for those strong sun cover area like Taiwan.
Like to know if we can visit you when a team from Taiwan Breen Building Council stop by Palm Spring on the way to GreenBuild this coming 2nd of Novemver.
Regards,
Chilin Cheng, CEO of TaiwanGBC
I am selling my home in Santa Monica and moving to Palm Springs. I love the mid century design that is so much a part of the area. I would love to have a modernist prefab built and would like more info on lots, etc.