October 2014 Newsletter: Modernism in the Rust Belt

Featuring articles on IBM Plant #1, Buffalo and Gydnia

Welcome to this special edition: Modernism in the Rust Belt!

Following Function: Putting the Industrial Buildings that Inspired the Modernist Movement Back to Work

While many modernist buildings are celebrated, the industrial buildings that inspired the modernist movement are less well known. In the shift to the post-industrial, these important buildings face challenges in common with many of Americaâ€™s redundant industrial sites. This article considers three examples featured in Le Corbusierâ€™s Vers une Architecture, highlighting their importance to the early modernists, how their significance is understood today and the contemporary reuse models that could help secure their future.

Plant No. 1: The 'Birthplace of IBM' 100 Years Later

Before IBM became an information machine, it operated out of its modest first home, the site called simply â€œPlant No. 1â€ in Endicott, NY. It was in Endicott that Thomas J. Watson, Sr., the chairman and CEO of International Business Machines from 1914 to his death in 1956, attempted to define the architectural image of such a business, combining the hand labor of manufacturing with the intellectual work of engineering.

Documenting Buffalo's Modernism

Buffalo has long been known as the home of iconic works of architecture by H. H. Richardson, Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. But Buffaloâ€™s architectural legacy did not end with the demolition of Wrightâ€™s ill-fated Larkin Administration Building in 1950. It has an incredibly rich modernist heritage, and some of that heritage is now under siege.

Gdynia, Poland 1933 Historic Marine Station

With a population of a quarter of a million, Gdynia is the twelfth largest city in Poland and home to one of several Polish ports on the Baltic Sea. Established after World War I, the city is a consequence of the then political and economic situation.

Keeping it Modern Initiative

"Keeping it Modern" is a new initiative by the Getty Foundation focused on the conservation of 20th century architecture. The initial 10 sites who have received funding include the Sydney

Opera House, Miami Marine, Paimio Sanatorium, and the Robie House. The initiative is meant to compliment the Institute's Conserving Modern Architecture Intitative, and both the Eames House and Salk Institute are related to these efforts. Click here to read the full press release.

The Rome Prize

The American Academy in Rome is accepting application for the 2015 Rome Prize through November 1, 2014.

Each year, the academy awards fellowships to nearly 30 emerging and established artists and scholars working in a variety of fields. For more information about the fellowships offered and the application process visit the American Academy in Rome website.

Last Call: Built by Women NYC

The deadline for The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation's Built By Women NYC is fast approaching. Nominations will be accepted through the end of October. For more information

about the project and access to the nomination form click here.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in Tour Day 2014! Watch for a complete recap in the November 2014 E-News.

Save the Date! Tour Day 2015 is October 10, 2015!

Upcoming & Ongoing Events

New Oct. 17-20, 2014
INsite by Luftwerk at The Farnsworth House
Plano, Illinois

New Now - Oct. 26, 2014
HM100: A Century through the Life of Harrison McIntosh
Pamona, California

Now - Nov. 10, 2014
Experience Palmas at MANITOGA
MANITOGA -The Russel Wright Design Center

New Now - Jan 3, 2015
Alvar Aalto: Second Nature
Vitra Design Museum

Now - January 4, 2015
â€˜Drawing Ambience: Alvin Boyarsky and the Architectural Association'
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University, St. Louis

New Now - Jan 18, 2015
Times Square, 1984: The Post Modern Movement
New York, New York

New Oct. 6-Dec 31, 2014
Michael Graves
Studio V - New York, New York

Oct. 15 - 19
Architecture and Design Film Festival
New York, New York

Nov. 22 -24
3rd International Iconic Houses Conference
Barcelona, Spain

Event listings can be sent toinfo@docomomo-us.org

Book Review:
Landmarks: The Modern House in Denmark

Michael Sheridan, The Modern House in Denmark
Ostfildern, Germany: Hatje Cantz Verlag, 2014. 335 pages, numerous color and black and white photographs, plans and diagrams.

The postwar Scandinavian and particularly the Danish house formed the inspiration for much of residential design not just in Europe but also in the US. Michael Sheridan, who has done an earlier book on Scandinavian design titled: Room 606: The SAS House and the Work of Arne Jacobsen, has continued his exploration of Danish architecture and design with this recent publication. The houses by prominent Danish architects are all dating from the decade 1950-1960.

Purchase on Amazon

Docomomo US accepts article submissions on a wide range of issues concerning modernism. The following is a special call for articles for upcoming editions of the Docomomo US newsletter:

>The Americas (Nov/Dec 2014)
>Regional Theaters (Jan 2015)
NEW!
>Pre-Fabrication
>Preserving Interiors
>Sanatoriums

Additional details including submission guidelines are available upon request. Those interested in submitting an article should send a brief description to
info@docomomo-us.org.

Become a Member During Our Annual Membership Drive

Join Docomomo US as we launch our Membership Drive in which we have set a goal of registering 400 new and renewing memberships during the month of October. Those who renew or become new members this month will be entered to win complementary registration to the 2015 National Symposium in Minnesota (June 4-6, 2015). Members will receive (1) contest entry for memberships $65 and under and (2) contest entries for memberships $100 and over. Details on the membership drive.

Renew or Join Today!

SHARE YOUR IMAGES WITH US ON INSTAGRAM

#DOCOMOMO ON INSTAGRAM

Docomomo US is now on Instagram. Share your favorites with us and each month we will include three of the best from the photo pool. Follow us at @DocomomoUS and remember to include the hashtags #docomomous and #docomomo_us.

#TOURDAY

Tour Day 2014 took instagram by storm! While there are still events taking place in the next couple of weeks, here are some of our faves from this past weekend.

Stay Tuned for a complete recap of Tour Day in November's issue of E-News.

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Docomomo US is the working party of Docomomo in the United States. It is a 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization, a union of regional chapters that shares its members' knowledge of and enthusiasm for the Modern Movement, promotes public interest in it through lectures and walking tours, and organizes advocacy efforts to protect endangered sites and buildings.