Philadelphia 2022

Program Book

Yo! Modernism: The View from Philadelphia


May 31 - June 5, 2022
Philadelphia, PA

Yo! Modernism! In the Philadelphia region, “yo” is a colloquialism used to get someone’s attention quickly. It’s a phrase without pretense, and when combined with Modernism, it puts into focus the importance of place and community in our modern heritage, as well as the urgency of preservation efforts. The 2022 Docomomo US National Symposium will explore why Modernism still has the power to turn heads, to inform, and to adapt, and how its many manifestations reflect on local, regional,­­ and broader goals.


From pared-down Classicism to space-age whimsy, from the streamlined to the sculptural, from the monumental to the everyday, the multi-layered, multi-generational Modernism found in Philadelphia reflects ideas found around the world, and we look forward to exploring these ideas further.

This year, we are expanding our typical Symposium schedule of offerings to include events on Tuesday and Sunday, in addition to our regular series of sessions and tours taking place Wednesday through Saturday. On Tuesday May 31 there will be a panel, tour and demonstration at Richard Neutra's Hassrick House hosted by the Center for the Preservation of Modernism from Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Architecture and the Built Environment. On Sunday June 5, there will be a special farther afield self-driving tour to modern craft sites including the Wharton Esherick Museum and George Nakashima Woodworkers.


Online registration is now closed. On-site registration will be available starting 6/1.

 

Questions about the Symposium? Check our FAQ page.

The 2022 National Symposium is a collaboration of Docomomo US and Docomomo US/Philadelphia.
 

The National Symposium is only possible thanks to the generous support of partners and sponsors. Sponsoring the Docomomo US National Symposium, Yo! Modernism! The View from Philadelphia presents a prime opportunity to support national preservation efforts of modern structures while at the same time promoting your own brand to hundreds of like-minded preservationists. 

This year's sponsorship levels are named in honor of notable women architects, designers, artists, and preservationists with links to the city of Philadelphia.

Thank you to the following sponsors who made the 2022 National Symposium possible. 

Symposium Host Sponsors

Elizabeth Hirsh Fleisher

First licensed woman architect in Philadelphia and partner in the firm Roth & Fleisher (1892-1975)

Stanislawa "Siasia" Nowicki

First female professor at PennDesign and full professor of architecture in the country (1912-2018)

Anne Griswold Tyng

Architect, professor, and long-time collaborator with Louis Kahn (1920-2011)

Penelope Hartshorne Batcheler

Leading historical architect for the National Park Service and preservation advocate. (1928-2007) 

Denise Scott Brown

Architect, city planner and principal of Venturi Scott Brown Associates. First living woman to receive an AIA Gold Medal. (1931- )

Partner Organizations

About

The Docomomo US National Symposium is the primary event in the United States for professionals to discuss and share efforts to preserve modern architecture and meet leading practitioners and industry professionals.
 

The Symposium developed as a result of the Docomomo US Board of Directors’ annual “Face to Face” meeting. The first expanded event took place in Los Angeles in 2010 with an open forum for local individuals actively engaged in the discussion of modern architecture. Docomomo US hosted its first National Symposium in Sarasota, Florida in April 2013. Held annually, this multi-day conference seeks to engage local participants in cities across the United States, offering participants the ability to interact with and explore a wide variety of significant modern architecture and sites.