A New Sculpturalism: Contemporary Architecture from Southern California
On the surface, it feels like an age since California could lay claim to being at the cutting edge of architectural design. The Case Study series might have kick-started an aesthetic, but even though the style of long, low and lithe design persists, it's long since evolved into the default choice of creative-minded hedge fund managers, with price tags to match, rather than the low-cost homes they were originally intended to be. But scratch the surface, and there's an awful lot going on.
The thirty-eight firms represented at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art's new show, 'A New Sculpturalism', illustrate the sheer variety of scale and style that characterises contemporary Southern Californian design, from the world-conquering shapes created by Gehry Partners, Greg Lynn, Morphosis and Eric Owen Moss, to the innovative residential and cultural projects of Warren Techentin, RoTo, Coscia Day, Lorcan O'Herlihy, Brooks + Scarpa and many, many more.
Regular readers will be familiar with most of these names from Wallpaper* Architects Directories past; suffice to say there's still plenty of fire left in the Californian design community. On the evidence presented, it's not too much of a stretch to lay the credit (and the blame) for much of modern architect's formal adventurousness at the feet of the Californians, as the very analogue, hands-on deconstructivism of early Gehry and Owen Moss blossomed into a digitally designed landscape of swoops, curves, angles and extrusions that would have repercussions all over the planet.
The show takes place in a classic Gehry-designed space dating from the early 1980s, and will feature three specially-designed full-scale pavilions, by Atelier Manferdini, P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S and Tom Wiscombe Design, as well as models and imagery.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Remembering Richard Serra (1938-2024), American art’s man of steel
American artist Richard Serra, whose vast sculptures transformed landscapes around the world, has died aged 85
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Architectural gardens around the world to soothe the soul
From small domestic gardens, to nature reserves, urban interventions and local parks, here are some of the finest green projects that place nature at their heart
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Corfu hotel Domes Miramare redefines beachfront bliss
Make like Jackie O at Corfu hotel Domes Miramare, a property with contemporary luxury and echoes of 1960s glamour in spades
By Bridget Downing Published
-
Calming interiors characterise a 1950s mid century modern house in Mexico City
HEMAA Arquitectura celebrates the mid century architecture of a family house – designed by Mexican architect Augusto H. Álvarez – with a respectful renovation, plus a new material palette of light oak and grey stucco
By Harriet Thorpe Last updated
-
Join virtual tours of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpieces
A new series of virtual tours offer you the chance to explore Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture from the comfort of your home. The campaign to continue educating and inspiring the public through the digital sphere is also a reminder of the importance of the physical experience of architecture, and an appeal for funding support to heritage sites all over the world during the Covid-19 crisis
By Harriet Thorpe Last updated
-
Dirk Engelen tours his restored Antwerp home – a 1970s architectural masterpiece
Belgian architect Dirk Engelen was surprised to find a John Lautner look-a-like house in suburban Antwerp. Drawn to its unique concrete and brick design, his curiosity got the better of him and he bought the house and renovated it, not without bringing some architectural abstractions of his own to the design
By Harriet Thorpe Last updated
-
Herbert W Burns’ Gillman Residence renovated in Palm Springs
A Palm Springs house designed by architect Herbert W Burns has been brought back to life, with plenty of contemporary improvements. ‘This house can truly be considered a brand new home with Herbert Burns’ bones’ say the designer-developer duo behind the comprehensive restoration and renovation
By Harriet Thorpe Last updated
-
Join a 1960s celebration of desert modern residential design
For Palm Springs Modernism Week the residents of Park Imperial South, a modernist community with zig-zag roofs designed by architect Barry berkus in 1960, are throwing a party to celebrate the architecture and the era
By Harriet Thorpe Last updated
-
Four architects on the influence of Palm Springs
Many contemporary architects working today have been inspired by the modernist architecture of Palm Springs. Modernism Week brings them back to the desert town for a series of events that focus on the work of contemporary architects from restorations and renovations, to obsessions and design expressions
By Harriet Thorpe Last updated
-
An Instagram hotspot in Tokyo is under threat, so snap it before it’s flattened
Designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa, the iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo has become something of an Instagram pilgrimage for architecture enthusiasts. But as the building fell into a state of disrepair, the Metabolist landmark has long been in danger of demolition and the final decision is to be made by the building’s management society by vote
By Sanae Sato Last updated
-
British modernism inspires Waldo Works’ Television Centre penthouse
Tom Bartlett, founder of interior design firm Waldo Works, brings a British modernist interior to the largest Television Centre penthouse through a Festival of Britain-inspired colour pallette and design pieces from Living Diwani, Barber Osgerby, Ingo Maurer and Olivia Aspinall
By Harriet Thorpe Last updated