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America’s brilliant mid-century Modernist houses are “livable works of art” torn down in record numbers – largely because buyers, sellers, and realtors don’t realize the importance of what they have – or how to preserve, repair, and protect them. 

You can't save something if you don't know where it is or why it is important.

USModernist is part of the 501C3 nonprofit Modernist Archive Inc., recognized for leadership in historic preservation with 14 local, state, and national awards. With three major sections, USModernist is America’s largest open digital archive of residential Modernist houses and architects.

The USModernist Radio podcast, now in its 6th year, makes architecture accessible and entertaining through engaging conversations with fascinating people who own, sell, create, love, and hate Modernist architecture, the most controversial buildings in the world. Featured guests include Daniel Libeskind, Moshe Safdie, Josh Ramus, Tom Kundig, Marlon Blackwell, Frank Harmon, Paul Goldberger, Eric Lloyd Wright, Debbie Millman, Larry Scarpa, Kelly Lynch, Eames Demetrios, Raymond and Dion Neutra, Susan and Eric Saarinen, Alexandra Lange, Nathanial Kahn, Kate Wagner, Sarah Susanka, and many more. DWELL named USModernist Radio the #2 architect and design podcast, and Atomic Ranch rated us #1. 

USModernist and NCModernist founder and Executive Director, George Smart, received 2016 AIA Institute Honors for Collaborative and Professional Achievement, their highest award for a non-architect. He is host of USModernist Radio and speaks around the country to design, museum, and real estate organizations. In 2009, DWELL called him the Lorax of Modernist houses.

USModernist is proud to participate each year at Modernism Week in Palm Springs, celebrating with a huge benefit gala at the Kirk Douglas Estate, giving public lectures and serving on discussion panels, and hosting the USModernist Compound at the swanky Hotel Skylark.

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Most people don’t know North Carolina is the 3rd largest concentration of mid-century Modernist houses in America. North Carolina’s brilliant mid-century Modernist houses are “livable works of art” torn down in record numbers – largely because buyers, sellers, and realtors don’t realize the importance of what they have – or how to preserve, repair, and protect them.

You can't save something if you don't know where it is or why it is important.NCModernist.org is North Carolina's largest open digital archive of residential Modernist houses and architects, with documentation on over 2,400 houses and over 300 architects and designers, built and unbuilt. NCModernist produces more than 30 events a year, including Modernist tours across the Triangle, North Carolina, nationally, and internationally; monthly design networking happy hours called Thirst4Architecture; and three major initiatives to advance Modernist architecture in across the state:

• The George Matsumoto Prize encourages young architects, designers, and their clients to continue North Carolina’s Modernist heritage.

• Project BauHow connects rural high school drafting students with the state's two major architecture universities through scholarship opportunities, site visits, and speakers.

• The Legal Defense Fund provides legal and technical assistance for endangered Modernist houses.

Contacts:

George Smart, Executive Director, george@usmodernist.org, 919.740.8407

Rebekah Laney, Development Director, rebekah@usmodernist.org, 865.414.5800

Updated 07.14.20