Here is a wonderful Ted Talk given by Eames Demetrios on what would have been the 100th birthday or Charles Eames.

A great look back at one of americas greatest designers.

This weeks way back when is a mix of the old with the new...

This house is just down the street from mine, and I have been slowly watching it transform as Tyler works on it. He has done an amazing job making a fairly typical 50's home look good. I didn't know just how good until Tyler sent me some pictures of the interior and then I was literally speechless. I'm usually a fan of preserving mid century architecture in it's original form, but this is one update that is both respectful of the original structure, and so much better than it ever was. The house has been completely gutted and redone on the inside, and the pool area in the back yard makes me feel like I am in Palm Springs again. This is a wonderful example of breathing new life into an old house. Ohh and did I mention it's for sale? Anyone have $749,000 they want to give to me?

3602 Apollo

All photo's by Tyler, cast concrete by Future Form Designs.

This weeks "way back when" spotlight goes to a photographer not a architect or designer. Julius Shulman is perhaps one of the most well know mid century modern photographers of all time. His client list reads like a who's who of mid century design. The iconic photographs that he took were instrumental in both capturing the innovative architecture of the time as well as influencing main stream society's idea of a "modern life". In this great video Julius narrates some of his most well known photographs.

Break out your college ruled notebooks and #2 pencils. It's time to get educated. Join Elizabeth Smith, Chief Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, as she discusses the experimental home design program (1945 - 1966) which produced iconic work by Eames, Neutra, and Saarinen, among others.

Here is some wonderful footage of the Miller House which was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957. It was recently donated to the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA). The famous home is currently being prepared for public tours and should be ready in 2011.

via

Last weekend we were down in Palm Springs for our third Fiesta Movement mission. Ironically we went down there looking for some Eichler homes only to find that Eichler never did any developments there. It was still an amazing trip though, we stayed at the beautiful Chase Hotel and saw plenty of gorgeous MCM homes. Most of the residential development in the 50's was done by the Alexander construction company, and you can read about it here.

More info on Palm Springs via the Eichler network

The Chase Hotel

Here is some great eye candy of the famous Case Study House #22 The Stahl House designed by Pierre Koenig. You may need to protect your keyboard from the inevitable drool that will follow.

Joseph Eichler may be one of the most well known Mid-Century Modern residential architects developers. In the 50's and 60's he was fortunate enough to design and build whole neighborhoods in California. I must admit when it comes to Eichler I'm pretty ignorant, but I'm looking to change that. Next month for my Fiesta Movement mission I'll be heading to California for a weekend to look at Eichler homes, and hopefully take some good pictures and video. Before I go I need your help!

What are some good websites to learn more about Eichler?

If I could only go to one neighborhood, which one should it be?

This week for our "Way Back When" spotlight goes to the Utah Heritage Foundation. While many people think of historic preservation as saving a bunch of victorian pioneer houses, Utah Heritage Foundation has set out to prove that they are interested in preserving and promoting education on all historically significant buildings, including MCM ones. UHF has recently added profiles on their website of prominent MCM architects like Dee Wilson and John Sugden who studies under Mies. Head over to their website for some great articles and photo's. Also make sure you join the Salt Lake Modern facebook page if you want to stay up to date on local events and learn more about MCM homes in Utah.

While the awesome hair of interviewer Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel put this clip in the 80's the work of Philip Johnson goes much further back. His most notable "modern" project was the glass house built in 1949. The interview is a little dry but if you are interested it is quite fascinating. Please share you thoughts on architecture, 80's hair and funky glasses in the comments.

Here is an amazing documentary done by the BBC several years ago that covers the lifes work of Mies van der Rohe and the lasting influences that he has had on architecture.

Grab some popcorn, it's a long one...

Parts 2-7 after the jump.

THE BEN ROSE HOME - To some it may have been the first modern home ever seen. The iconic modern house in Ferris Buellers Day off and the unforgettable scene in which a gorgeous old Ferarri is sent crashing through an equally gorgeous garage wall. If you've ever wondered about that house here's your chance to find out more, or even buy it for a cool 2. 3 million.

Designed by A. James Speyer and David Haid, both notable architects of the 20th Century the home was originally built in 1953. At 5,300 square feet it has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. For all the nitty gritty details check out the for sale page on Realtor.com.

The Ben Rose Home.

Thanks RP!

It was recently announced that the classic Frank Lloyd Wright home falling water will now be available as a lego kit. It was designed in conjunction with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Brickstructures, Inc. and the LEGO Architecture brand. It's expected to go on sale this July, pricing is still unknown but should be around $55. What is known is that it looks brilliant and that I want one. A big thanks to Amanda for pointing it out to me.

Available from Brickstructures in July

More from Prairie Mod

The Eames Case Study House No. 8 is perhaps one of the great iconic mid-century modern homes. Built in 1959 by Charles and Ray Eames the home became their permanent residence for their entire lives. According to John Entenza founder of Case Study House, the Eames house "represented an attempt to state an idea rather than a fixed architectural pattern." All thumbnails above are from the Eames Foundation and full size prints from 5 x 7 to 16 x 20 can be purchased from their website.

Prints available from Eames Foundation from $17 - $81.

...from the personal collection of Matte Stephens! He has quite a lovely grouping, including the original 1955/56 Herman Miller Catalog. Check out the rest of his design collection on his Flickr page.

Check out Matte's work at www.matteart.net.

In my post about the ultimate mid-century modern road trip someone mentioned Frank Lloyd Wrights only skyscraper, The Price Tower. I wasn't even aware that he had designed a skyscraper but here is a vintage brochure and a photo from the 1956 building. The building now houses an arts center, museum, hotel and bar all in one. I guess I know where I'm going if I ever pass through Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

More info at Pricetower.org

Photo and brochure via Steinerag.com

NORMAN BEL GEDDES Style streamline one-piece child's school desk and chair.

Factory 20

Via

I'm loving this vintage Mr. Clean commercial from the 1950's.