Five (More) Reasons to Join Us

Sometimes we all need a little extra push. We get it, so we’ve expanded upon our initial list of why you absolutely, positively cannot miss the 11th annual Docomomo US National Symposium, taking place May 29–June 1, in Miami and Coral Gables, Florida. Plus, there are some important updates about the Miami Marine Boat Tour and the Alfred Browning Parker Tours that we thought you’d want to know about it.

1. We’re still going on a boat.

If you haven’t signed up for the Miami Marine Stadium boat tour, we’ve got big news: thanks to the generosity of our friends at Restore Miami Marine Stadium, we are able to make the boat tour more affordable by reducing the ticket price to $95. We hope more of you may experience one of Miami's most iconic sites – and one that still needs a lot of our time, attention and resources. The unique Brutalist structure, designed by Hilario Candela and completed in 1963, has been the focus of high-profile advocacy efforts for decades. (Psst: If you’ve already registered for a boat tour keep an eye out for a partial refund).

2. More Alfred Browning Parker

The Friday tour of Alfred Browning Parker homes in Coconut Grove is sold out, so we’ve added a second similar tour on Saturday afternoon. We’ve also updated the updated itinerary for Thursday’s special evening tour, which includes Alfred Browning Parker’s Woodsong (both inside and out) as well as the home Parker designed and built for his family – where his son, Architect Robin Parker, still lives. The evening ends with a reception at the Tigertail residence, another significant example of South Florida regionalism designed by Trelles Cabarrocas Architects (1988-91).

3. A Cornucopia of Educational Content

In addition to Keynotes by Rosa Lowinger and Uta Pottgiesser, this year’s National Symposium has more than 15 sessions and 46 speakers and features an array of presentations about the preservation of Modernism. Several sessions examine the relationship and influence of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation on Modernism – from segregation in housing, schools and motels to women architects like Marion Manley and Amaza Lee Meredith to the heritage of drag culture. Tropical Brutalism also has a heavy presence from the work of Morris Lapidus to 1960s icons such as Miami Marine Stadium to more recent projects like 1111 Lincoln Road. For our Sarasota fans we have a dedicated session just for you – and it’s not always about the buildings – a number of sessions look at efforts to preserve site-specific art and sculpture.

4. Hood Midcentury Modern at The Wolfsonian

Celebrate the conclusion of our academic sessions with a reception at The Wolfsonian in Miami Beach and music deejayed by special guest Jerald "Coop" Cooper of Hood Midcentury Modern. Enjoy food and drinks and conversation, with the museum's iconic entryway as your backdrop. Be sure to stay tuned into social media for details about a special tour of Miami led by Coop.

5. Have we mentioned the Tours?

Join us by foot, boat or bus to experience one of the country’s richest collections of midcentury and Postmodern architecture. Some tours have already sold out but there’s still plenty of amazing Modernism left to see. Love tropical modernism? Then you'll want to sign up for the North Beach Tour, which now includes a stop at the Fleeger House (pictured above). Maybe Instagrammable moments are more your thing? You’ll want to add the Heart of the Magic City Tour to your itinerary for a snap in front of the spiral staircase at the Arquitectonica-designed Atlantis. More of “must-see” when in Miami type? Sign-up for the Upper East Side Tour, which checks that list with visits to the Wynwood Arts District, the Miami Design District, the Bacardi Building, and the Gumenick Chapel.