City Icons: Amsterdam - Final Call!

An Elementalist and Mediterranean Architecture

MORE MIES - Pure Architecture in Haus Lange Haus Esters

Through a Bauhaus Lens: Edith Tudor-Hart and Isokon

Modernism Week Lecture: 10 Years of Iconic Houses

Aluminaire House Grand Opening

Exhibition Icons of the Czech Avant-Garde

Icon for Sale - Loos Villa: Haus Horner

SPECIAL – Iconic Dreams Europe - Sleep in an Iconic House!

SPECIAL – German Greats!

SPECIAL - Vacances en France!

SPECIAL - Casas Icónicas en España!

SPECIAL – Dutch Delights!

SPECIAL – Iconic Artist Residencies

SPECIAL – Northern (High)Lights!

SPECIAL – Iconic Housing

SPECIAL – Women & Iconic Houses

Winy Wants a World Wonder

Welcome Atelier Volten!

Public Screenings and Private Streaming of Pioneers of the Dutch Modern House

Sleep in a Modernist Gem – Huis Billiet in Bruges

Iconic Houses in The Netherlands - 100 Years Van Zessen House

Exclusive Tour and Film Screening Package

The Last House Designed by Adolf Loos Will Be Built in Prague

Icons of the Czech Avantgarde

Icon for Sale - Casa Legorreta

Rietveld Day: 200 Enthusiasts Explored 3 Utrecht Icons

Hurray! 10 Years Iconic Houses

7th International Iconic Houses Conference A Huge Success

Meet Conference Co-Chair Iveta Černá

Meet Conference Co-Chair Maria Szadkowska

Eighteen Iconic Houses Under One Roof

17 June - 'Pioneers-film' Screening Amersfoort

Iconic Houses in The Netherlands - Van Eesteren House Museum

Welcome Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky Zentrum in Vienna!

Welcome Vila Volman! Jewel of Czech Functionalism

Movie Night: Adolf Loos- Revolutionary Among Architects

'Inside Iconic Houses' Case Study House #26 Webcast in Webshop

Inside Iconic Houses at Taut’s Home in Berlin

Rediscovering Forgotten Loos Interiors in Pilsen

'Inside Iconic Houses' - Online Tour Program

Iconic Houses in The Netherlands - The Diagoon House

Iconic Houses in The Netherlands - Rietveld Schröder House

Rietveld Houses Owners Association

Corberó Space: New Life for Hidden Jewel

Iconic Houses in The Netherlands - Pierre Cuypers' House and Workshops

Reeuwijk Celebrates Completion of Restoration Rietveld Homes!

Iconic Houses in The Netherlands - Van Doesburg Rinsema House

Welcome Rietveld's Van Daalen House!

Architect Harry Gessner Passed Away at 97

Watch Pioneers of the Dutch Modern House Now On Demand

Icon Saved: Dorchester Drive House

Welcome Umbrella House!

Iconic Houses in the Netherlands – Berlage’s Masterpiece

Iconic Houses in The Netherlands - Het Schip

Inside Iconic Houses - Tour of Maison Cazenave

Inside Iconic Houses Tours Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami

Casa Masó Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

Inside Iconic Houses tours Roland Reisley's Usonian Frank Lloyd Wright House

Rietveld’s Experimental Housing in Reeuwijk Saved

Serralves Villa after restoration

Portraits of the Architect - Interview with Gennaro Postiglione

Test Labs for New Ideas - Interview with Natascha Drabbe

Inside Iconic Houses - Isokon Building

Inside Iconic Houses - 16 December: Sunnylands with Janice Lyle

BCN-BXL Coderch-De Koninck - Beyond Time

New Chairman Architect Nanne de Ru on The Perfect Platform

Health and Home - Interview with Beatriz Colomina

A Life Less Ordinary – Interview with Valentijn Carbo

Invisible Women - Interview with Alice T. Friedman

Winy Maas on the Green Dip

Anita Blom on Experimental Housing of the 1970s

Women’s Worlds - Interview with Natalie Dubois

The Culture of Living - Interview with Robert von der Nahmer

Hetty Berens: A Fresh Take on Modernism

Niek Smit on Supporting Modern Heritage

Alice Roegholt on Amsterdam’s Working-Class Palaces

July is Iconic Houses Month

Hans van Heeswijk on The Pioneers of the Dutch Modern House

Wessel de Jonge on Dutch Icons at Risk

Save Maison Zilveli - Sign the Petition!

How a Building Tells a Story - Recorded Event

Toolkit for Owners of a Modern House

13 Aalto Sites Nominated for UNESCO World Heritage

Villa Beer At Risk - Sign the Petition!

Business Cards of Stone, Timber and Concrete in the Brussels Region 1830-1970

Exhibiting & Visiting Modernist Monuments

Fostering Well-Researched Responsible Design

ICONS AT RISK

Enjoy a virtual visit to the California House and a Q&A with architect Peter Gluck

Exhibition 'Modernism and Refuge'

A Hidden Gem of Postmodernism

New Centre for Historic Houses of India

An Online Chronicle of the Douglas House

Villa Henny, geometric style icon in The Netherlands

A Mendini temple in Amsterdam

IH-lectures USA & Canada Feb 2020 on Melnikov House

Sponsors and Friends

An Afternoon with the Glucks

Chandler McCoy on Making Modern Houses Sustainable

Catherine Croft: Getting Away from the Demolition Mentality in the UK

Patrick Weber on Discovering an Unknown Icon

Fiona Fisher on Iconic Interiors

Jocelyn Bouraly on Villa Cavrois

Mireia Massagué on finding success through a new kind of partnership

Danish Moderns – Looking Back at Our Mini-Seminar

Venturo house complements Exhibition Centre WeeGee’s offering

Lecture report: Remembering Richard Neutra

Hôtel Mezzara and the Guimard Museum project

We welcome 13 new members!

BREAKING NEWS: 8 Wright Sites Inscribed on Unesco World Heritage List!

LECTURE 29 August - Raymond Neutra: My Father and Frank Lloyd Wright

Iconic Reads

Our Badge of Honour

Iconic Houses End Year Message

City-ordered rebuild of landmark house stirs debate: Appropriate or overreach?

Kohlberg House Restoration in Progress

Planned Demolition of Rietveld Homes in Reeuwijk

Renovation Gili House in Crisis

An Iconic Saga

Restoring Eileen Gray’s Villa E-1027 and Clarifying the Controversies

Modernism on the East Coast

Iconic Houses in Latin America

Conference testimonials

House Tours May 2018 

Expert Meetings

Natascha Drabbe - Iconic Houses: The Next Chapter

Terence Riley -KEYNOTE SPEAKER- on Philip Johnson

New era for Villa E-1027 and Cap Moderne

Hilary Lewis on Philip Johnson and his Glass House

John Arbuckle on Great House Tours

William D. Earls on the Harvard Five in New Canaan

Stover Jenkins on Working for Philip Johnson

Frederick Noyes on his Father’s House

Scott Fellows and Craig Bassam on their Passion for Preservation

Jorge Liernur -KEYNOTE SPEAKER- on Latin American Modernism(s)

Fabio Grementieri on Modernism in Argentina

Catalina Corcuera Cabezut on Casa Luis Barragán

Renato Anelli on Lina Bo Bardi’s Casa de Vidro

Tim McClimon on Corporate Preservation

Amanda Nelson on Building Donor Relationships

John Bacon on Planned Giving

Jean-Paul Warmoes on the Art of Fundraising in America

Chandler McCoy on Why Less is More

Katherine Malone-France on Moving with the Times

Anne Mette Rahbæk on Philanthropic Investments and Preservation

Peter McMahon on Saving Modern Houses on Cape Cod

Toshiko Kinoshita on Japanese Modern Heritage Houses

Roland Reisley on Life in a Frank Lloyd Wright House

5th Iconic Houses Conference May 2018

Kristin Stone, Pasadena Tour Company

Restoring the past: The Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Home Studio

Behind the Scenes: Hendrick de Keyser Association

Crosby Doe, Architecture for Sale

Latin America Special – Focus on Mexico

De Stijl in Drachten

Preserving the Nancarrow House-Studio

Meet the Friends - Nanne de Ru

Latin America Special – Focus on Brazil

Jan de Jong’s House is Latest Hendrick de Keyser Acquisition

Stay in a Belgian Modernist Masterpiece

In Berlin’s Modernist Network

Rietveld-Schröder House Celebrates De Stijl Anniversary

Meet Our New Foundation Board Members

Maintaining Aalto's Studio – Linoleum Conservation

Virtual Tour of a Papaverhof Home in 3D

Getty Grant for Villa E-1027

Plečnik House in Ljubljana

Iconic Dacha

Iconic Houses: A Bohemian Road Trip

Work in Progress: Capricho de Gaudí

11 Le Corbusier Homes now on Unesco World Heritage List

At home with Le Corbusier

Henry van de Velde’s Study in Haus Hohe Pappeln Restored

Lynda Waggoner reports

A Conference to Remember

4th International Iconic Houses Conference

Guest of Honor - Harry Gesner

Fallingwater: European Lecture Tour

Wright Plus 2016 Walk

Susan Macdonald, Getty Conservation Institute

John Mcllwee, Garcia House

Meet the Friends – Elisabeth Tostrup

Iconic Houses: The Story So Far

Willie van Burgsteden, designer Iconic Houses

Buff Kavelman, Philanthropic Advisor

Meet the Friends - Frederick Noyes

Sheridan Burke, GML Heritage

Meet the Friends - Raymond Neutra

Sidney Williams, Frey House

Franklin Vagnone and Deborah Ryan, Museum Anarchists

Meet the Friends - James Haefner

Toshiko Mori, architect

Malachi Connolly, Cape Cod Modern House Trust

Meet the Friends - Penny Sparke

Lucia Dewey Atwood, Eames House

Cory Buckner, Mutual Housing Site Office

Jeffrey Herr, Hollyhock House

Speaking Volumes: Building the Iconic Houses Library

Sarah Lorenzen, Neutra VDL Studio and Residences

Ted Bosley, Gamble House

Keeping It Modern - Getty Conservation Grants

Meet the Friends - Thomas Schönauer

Wim de Wit, Stanford University

Linda Dishman, Los Angeles Conservancy

Jesse Lattig, Pasadena Heritage

Join us in Los Angeles! Update

Work in Progress: Casa Vicens

Work in Progress: Van Wassenhove House

Work in Progress: Villa Cavrois

Work in Progress: The Pearlroth House

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Follow us!

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Conference House Tours Barcelona

Marta Lacambra, Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera

Natascha Drabbe, Iconic Houses Foundation

Special speaker Oscar Tusquets

Jordi Tresserras, UNESCO Network ‘Culture, tourism and development’

Christen Obel, Utzon Foundation

Elena Ruiz Sastre, Casa Broner

Fernando Alvarez Prozorovich, La Ricarda

Tim Benton, Professor of Art History (Emeritus)

Susana Landrove, Docomomo Spain

Rossend Casanova, Casa Bloc

Conference Program 25 November 2014

Jordi Falgàs, Casa Rafael Masó

Documentary La Ricarda

Marga Viza, Casa Míla/La Pedrera

Celeste Adams, Frank Lloyd Wright Trust

Conference 25 November 2014 at La Pedrera

Henry Urbach, The Glass House

Victoria & Albert Museum London November 12

Tommi Lindh, new director of the Alvar Aalto Foundation and Museum

Iveta Černá, Villa Tugendhat

Lynda Waggoner, Fallingwater

Kimberli Meyer, MAK Center

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Barragán House on Screen

Gesamtkunstwerk – An Icon on the Move

Triennale der Moderne 27 September - 13 October 2013

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September 14 + 15: Heritage Days in Paris

June's New Arrivals: Museum Apartments

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Corbu’s Cabanon: Reconstruction and Lecture

Projekt Mies In Krefeld: Life-sized model of the Krefeld Clubhouse

New arrivals: Spain special

MAMO: Le Corbu’s ‘Park in the Sky’ open 12 June

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Annual Wright Architectural Housewalk: 18 May

Frank Lloyd Wright Homes on Screen

Message from the Editor

Neutra’s House on Screen

Michel Richard, Fondation Le Corbusier

Symposium The Public and the Modern House

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Iconic Houses in the media

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Round Table Review

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Philippe Bélaval, Centre des monuments nationaux

19 March 2018

Jorge Liernur -KEYNOTE SPEAKER- on Latin American Modernism(s)

“I believe that we architects have the main role in preserving architectural heritage.”

Buenos Aires-based Jorge Francisco Liernur is an architect turned academic, and the author of several books on architecture. An expert on Modernism in the Latin American context, he was a keynote speaker at the Fifth International Iconic Houses Conference in New Canaan. His lecture can be watched in the (below) link.

Keynote Address Iconic Houses in Latin America: the Multiple Faces of Modernity
 

How did you first become interested in Modernism in Latin America?
When I started my career as a researcher, I focused on the history of architecture in Argentina, but I soon realized that I needed to compare developments there with other countries in the region. I decided to initiate a regional research plan, focusing on Latin America’s relationship with German Modernist culture in the 1930s.

So how did German Modernism come to Latin America?
There were many bridges between Germany and Latin America. However, as Modernism expanded geographically, you see different characteristics depending on the country it spread to. For instance, in Chile army relationships were very influential, as were the German immigrants in its southern regions. In Argentina, the German building industry played a central role. Here, as in Brazil, German philosophers were very well known by certain sectors of the intellectual elites. Many German Modern architects travelled to and worked in Latin America. The most relevant was Hannes Meyer in Mexico, but Gropius had a partner in Buenos Aires in the 1930s, while in the 1960s he worked together with Amancio Williams on a project. Mies built the Bacardi headquarters in Mexico, while Neutra was active in Cuba and Venezuela. Marcel Breuer and Joseph Albers had their own contacts with Mexico, Chile and Argentina.... and so and so on. I need to write a book to answer this question!

Where in Argentina do we see it at work?
We can see expressions of the presence of the German Modernist architectural traditions of the 1920s and 1930s in the urban landscape of the bigger cities, and particularly in the work of architects like Jorge Kalnay, Alberto Prebisch and Vladimiro Acosta. Moreover, leading architects such as Mario Roberto Alvarez applied many German Modern architectural ideas to their whole oeuvre.

Does German architecture remain influential today?
First of all I have to say that I don't like to use the word influence; I prefer to talk about a cultural dialogue or conversation. Anyhow, times change and the whole cultural situation is accommodated in different ways through time. The current relationship with German architecture has nothing to do with what happened in the early decades of the 20th century.

Why did you originally decide to become an architect?
Because I liked the wide humanist and artistic character of architecture, and because I was dazzled by the spectacle of the construction of the Bank of London and South America, by Clorindo Testa and SEPRA, in Buenos Aires.

As an architect, did Modernism influence you?
A lot, when I was practicing 20 years ago. And it still influences my work, because I still feel part of the profession and the discipline, just now with a different role.

So why the change to academia?
Because I felt that in this way I could make a better contribution to the renovation of architectural culture in my country.

What differences do we see in the various countries in your region regarding Modernism?
That’s a complex and difficult question, and again I’d need an entire book to even try to answer it! We’re talking about 20 countries, with very different histories, economies, and social, ethnic and cultural conditions. Also, there are many Modernisms in the history of architecture. So by definition there are many Modernisms in Latin America, just as there are in Europe, the USA, and elsewhere.

Do you have a favorite Modernist house in Latin America?
I’m afraid I have to be localist - the House over the Brook (Casa del Puente aka Museo Casa sobre el Arroyo, ed.), by Amancio Williams.

A house that was almost lost - so are things getting better for it now?
Fortunately, Amancio Williams believed in the importance of structure as the main part of a building. As a consequence, the house has not fallen apart. I believe that what is necessary for its value is, in the first place, social awareness of its value, and then the strong support of the authorities.

What problems do Modern houses currently face in your region?
Architecture is not considered as having a particular value, except that given by tourism, industry or branding. That makes it hard to have a broad debate on the preservation of Modern buildings in our region. Equally, ignorance about architecture seems to be dominant in every sector of society - although that’s partly different, perhaps, in Brazil.

Are there many house museums in Argentina?
Yes there are, but not necessarily because of their architectural value.

Chile has no museum houses yet. Any idea why?
I don't think I can give a definitive answer - probably in Chile it’s hard to identify one or two clearly canonical houses.

Do you have a favorite Latin American architect?
Paulo Mendes da Rocha. Because in his ideas and work he embodies the most serious aspirations of development and social justice, and as an architect he has the most profound understanding of the epoch in which we live, and architecture’s position in it.

What are your own hopes and dreams for architecture in Latin America?
I’d like the ideas of Paulo Mendes to be understood and discussed by architects and others in Latin America and beyond. I wish the profession would realize that architecture demands an enormous responsibility which does not end with the circumstantial demands of clients in the present, but has duties to humanity’s (and nature’s) past and future.

Every country in Latin America is different as you say, but what measures would help iconic houses to be protected across the continent as a whole?
I believe that we architects have the main role. In the first place, to educate architectural students about the value of these houses. After that we need to educate the social, economic and political elites. Mainly I think we need to develop public campaigns to create awareness throughout society.

How can Iconic Houses help?
By increasing awareness of these issues.

What do you expect of the conference?
That it could be a good opportunity to enhance our knowledge of Latin American houses, by filling in the important holes in the history of Modern architecture.

Which house tour in New Canaan are you most looking forward to?
Philip Johnson's Glass House. Because it is an extreme response to dwelling.

Jorge recommends watching the trailer of the documentary film Amancio Williams by Gerardo Panero.

Jane Szita

Photo: Jorge with Casa sobre el Arroyo/Casa del Puente (Mar del Plata, Argentina) in the background.

Publication date 19 March