On October 23, 2022, the Southern California chapter of Docomomo US and Society of Architectural Historians/Southern California Chapter are presenting a thematic tour of South Coast Plaza. The original design for South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa embodied Victor Gruen’s seminal ideas that defined shopping malls across the country. Built by the Segerstrom Co. in 1967 on agricultural fields next to the newly minted 405 freeway, South Coast Plaza helped open a new chapter in Orange County living by providing both retail stores and a social center for the new suburbs. 

Modernism Week, the annual festival that highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California, will offer Modernism Week – October from October 13-16, 2022. While smaller in scope than the 11-day festival held annually each February, the October event offers more than 50 events during 4-days, including several free and low-cost programs.

Throughout October, Docomomo US/Chicago will be exploring Chicagoland’s fascinating history of shoppingmalls through a walking tour and a pair of virtual presentations. On Wednesday, October 26 at 6 p.m. CST, we’ll explore “The Modernism of Carson Pirie Scott & Company.” Chicago-based Carson’s is perhaps best known for their downtown Chicago flagship store designed in 1899 by Louis Sullivan (recently nicknamed the “Goth Target”). Less appreciated, however, is Carson Pirie Scott’s patronage of modern design.