Our Modern In Denver winter Design Conversations event took place February 18 at Elsy Studios and Watson Furniture. Brad Tomecek of Tomecek Studio Architecture opened the topic “Regionalism” based on his op-ed from the winter issue of MID. Attendees participated in a group conversation to explore his position further and to discuss how Denver’s history, culture, and landscape affects our built environment. We’ve compiled a variety of resources for you to dive in deeper on the topic and encourage you to continue the conversation.

 

LEARN MORE

 

ARTICLES + ESSAYS

“The Meaning of Regionalism in Architecture,” Architectural Record, 1955
“Q&A: Wendell Burnette on the Architecture of Place,” Metropolis
“Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six Points for an Architecture of Resistance,” by Kenneth Frampton
“You Are Here,” by Tomecek Studio Architecture
“Regionalism Now: Reconsidering placemaking in the age of globalization,” The Architect’s Newspaper
“Top Architects Go Local,” The Wall Street Journal

BOOKS

Studies in Tectonic Culture: The Poetics of Construction in Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Architecture, by Kenneth Frampton
Invisible Cities, by Italo Calvina
Architecture without Architects, by Bernard Rudofsky
Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience, by Yi-Fu Tuan
The Architecture of Happiness, by Alain de Botton
Local Architecture: Building Place, Craft, and Community, by Brian MacKay-Lyons and Robert McCarteby

 

VIDEOS/LECTURES

Inspired By: Architect Tom Kundig
An Interview with Jim Olson and Tom Kundig
Glenn Murcutt Talking Heads Part 1
Glenn Murcutt Talking Heads ABC TV Part 2
Glenn Murcutt Talking Heads ABC TV Part 3

SOUNDBITES FROM THE DESIGN CONVERSATIONS EVENT

• “Mid-century modern sticks around, because people see its value and principles. If we keep building better things, they will have value and stick around.”

• “There are a lot of people really pissed off in Denver right now who want architecture to be better.”

• “You can’t regulate good design—it comes from the clients. We need more mainstream education on good design.”

• “A house can sell for exponentially more when it’s well designed—that’s the thing that people don’t understand.”

• “Building good relationships with the community is how good design happens. The best real estate in Denver is all the creative minds here.”
• “What makes Colorado great? It’s all of us and the people who can influence the developers.”

• ”It’s not just climate, environment, and culture. Good architecture comes from the process and sustained relationships.”

• “We don’t understand the value of architecture. We have to speak to the value of architecture—more than just stamping plans for the city.” 

• “The nice thing about these Design Conversations is that we are passionate and want to see right things happen. The problem is, the offenders aren’t here.”
• “We have to educate ourselves on good architecture so we can demand that architects build better.”

• “If you don’t have a connection to the land, then you’ve lost your sense of place.”

• “Regarding architecture: How can we be more thoughtful? There’s not a lot of consideration for a lot of facets.”
• “How is it we are able to drive Audis and buy $12K mountain bikes, yet we will accept shit homes?”

• “Stop looking for a style that defines Denver. Rather, what is it about that site, that block? What is the microclimate? Cultural context? Materiality of the neighborhood?”

• “I worry about our architecture.”

• “People are flocking to Denver in droves. How are we dealing with how we are making our place?”

 

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION

Let’s keep this going! Whether in your office or over dinner, continue talking about quality design. And if you missed this one, subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about Modern In Denver events.