Three generations of West Coast modernism has been documented in this upcoming film by Vancouver film makers Gavin Froome and Michael Bernard.

Michael and Gavin take us on a journey from Los Angeles to Vancouver; from 1922 up to the present exploring modernist architecture on the West Coast. A core group of architects embraced the Coast with its particular geography and values and they have left behind a legacy of beautiful and inspired dwellings. Today, architects have picked up the thread and they continue to explore and celebrate the principles established by their predecessors.

Intimate interviews and unprecedented access to architects in the film include Arthur Erickson (Vancouver), Fred Bassetti (Seattle), Henrik Bull (Berkley), Michael Folonis (Santa Monica), Dion Neutra (Los Angeles) -son and partner of Modernist pioneer Richard Neutra- , Barbara Bestor (LA) and others. They all share their insight into the Modernist Movement, and its relevance in our lives today.

Legendary photographer Julius Shulman is also be featured along with the photographs that brought world attention to the work that has been done in Southern California. His photographic career has spanned 70 years and he is known for creating one of the most comprehensive visual chronologies of Modernist Architecture.

Dwellers in modernist houses will be also interviewed; from renowned hip-hop producer DJ Greyboy who inhabits an 1950s Edward Killingsworth-designed house in LA, to a Vancouverite who restored a vintage Ron Thom house to its original luster. They will talk about how the space that one lives in influences their life. The modernist houses themselves will take centre stage, shot in high definition: the open plans, simplicity of form and integration of site will awe and inspire.

We’ll keep you updated on the release date of this great documentary that will definitely become a must-have for any modern architecture lover.

There’s no doubt that the late Arthur Erickson’s work was highly influenced by his travels to Japan. One only needs to look at the iconic Smith House to see a beautiful blend of Japanese and West Coast sensibilities at play. Michelangelo Sabatino, Assistant Professor at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, University of Houston retraces Erickson’s first trip to Japan in 1961 in his illustrated talk touching on – amongst other things – Erickson’s award-winning design for the Canadian Pavillion for Osaka 1970.

Journeys to the East: Arthur Erickson & Japan lecture will trace Erickson’s journeys and writings on Japan, identifying specific buildings and gardens that Erickson actually visited and studied, particularly in his first visit to Japan in 1961 and as recorded in his critical essays for Canadian Architect in the ‘60s. The lecture will also situate Erickson’s “Journey to the East” as part of a longstanding tradition of modern Western architects who appropriated cues from Japanese art, architecture and landscape ranging from Frank Lloyd Wright and Bruno Taut in the first half of the century, to events such as the display of a Japanese house at MoMA in New York (1953) and the publication in English of Yasuhiro Ishimoto, Walter Gropius, and Kenzo Tange’s study of Katsura in 1960.

The lecture is on November 25th at 7pm, Vancouver International Film Centre. Tix and more information can be found on the Arthur Erickson Conservancy web site.

I was fortunate enough to be asked to be part of Design Milk’s Friday Five to list my Top 5 Pieces of Modernist Architecture. Seeing as I’ve always been very opinionated about architecture (bad architecture in particular) I jumped at the chance to praise some of my favourites. You can read the full article here. Be sure to spend some more time on their site. See if you can figure out what they are before you click on the link!

You’ll never look at camping the same way again after a stay in a Rolling Hut. Seattle-based Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects designed this group of 6 ultra-modern and innovative cabins in Washington’s Methow Valley as an alternative to your run-of-the-mill camping trip.

Nestled in the scenic North Cascade Mountains, each hut comes equipped with a small refrigerator, microwave, fireplace and Wi-Fi. Modular furniture can be configured to create sleeping accommodation for up to four people so the only things you need to bring are your sleeping bag, your iPod and some wine.

If you’re interested in being one of the Herd, you can reserve your hut here.

Photo: Julius Schulman

The Stahl House will be available for a rare evening tour on Friday night, May 15th, at 7:30 pm. All tours are by reservation only, and space is limited. Tickets are $35 each (only cash accepted). No one will be permitted in the home without a reservation, so make sure to register on their Facebook page.

We’ve been scouting around for office space recently and we came across these two great spaces. They’re out of our price range for now, but I loved the photos so much I thought I’d share. The photos above are of a live/work space designed by Frank Gehry. The photos below are of an David Montalba designed office space.

The listing realtor has a lot of great architecturally significant spaces on their books!

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 4
6:00 p.m-9:00 p.m
$12 general admission
FREE for museum members
Exhibit will be open to the public starting Sunday, April 5-July 19

Julius Shulman is one of the best known architectural photographers in the world. In the 1950s and 1960s, he did extensive work in Fullerton documenting houses and other buildings in town. The 40 images in this exhibition come from his massive portfolio, now housed at the Getty Research Library, and will include scenes from mid-century interiors and exteriors. The exhibition will also include period furniture and decor provided by Out of Vogue.

Directions to the museum can be found here.

Photograph by Dan Winters

In the January 2009 issue of Los Angeles magazine, executive editor Mary Melton profiles renowned architectural photographer Julius Shulman in 36 exposures.

“When Julius Shulman snapped what is perhaps the most famous picture ever taken of Los Angeles, could he have imagined, could any of his subjects have imagined, that a single image would encapsulate the promises, hopes, and dreams of L.A.’s future—and conjure our fantasies of its past?”

Architect Pierre Koenig’s Case Study House No. 22, also known as the Stahl House, was unlike anything ever constructed, and Julius made it famous with his photograph. Read the whole Los Angeles magazine article.

We were lucky enough to visit the Pierre Koenig’s Stahl house, Case Study House 22. Set high in the hills of Los Angeles, it’s one of the most iconic houses of the modern era due to both its radical design and its breath-taking view. Many movies and photo shoots have been set in the Stahl house so an opportunity to tour this legendary residence should not be missed.

The next tours for the house are planned for February 7th, 8th,13th, 14th and 15th. You can sign up for the tour here.

Daily tour schedule is:
1st tour – 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
2nd tour – 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
3rd tour – 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Dasparkhotel, the brainchild of Andreas Strauss, is located in Ottens-heim, near Linz in Austria.

Created for use in parks and temporary spaces for outdoor festivals, the drains are 2m in diameter and contain a custom-made bed, an electrical outlet, and the ends are capped off with some cool mural art. There are no bathrooms. The first three protoypes are located near public washrooms, and café / bars so you’re never to far from the necessities for civilized living.

You have to book your room in advance online, then you’re given a personal security code to gain access to your room. There is no set rate for your room either – you can leave as much or as little money as you feel your stay was worth.

I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely making a plan to stay at this hotel just to say that I did.

For more information on the hotel: www.dasparkhotel.net