Et Cetera

Architecture Week, Tucson Modernism Week, a mega Tucson home tour... we're loving the events of the next two weeks. Delve in, and enjoy.

 

Architecture Week is a game changer

"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change." So said Stephen Hawking. And change is the theme of this year's Architecture Week, organized by the American Institute of Architects' Southern Arizona chapter. We think it couldn't be more appropriate in a city that's seen so much change lately.

Here are our Archi Week picks:

* The third annual Hike and Bike Tour. A huge hit in past years, these guided bicycle and walking tours feature maps and speakers along the way. This one takes you up Tucson's 4th Avenue, around the 1920's neighborhood of Sam Hughes, and into the University area. It's organized in collaboration with the Living Streets Alliance and takes place Sunday September 29th, 9am-11am. Click here for tickets and registration, and more info.

* Home tour on steroids. For the first time, AIA Southern Arizona is joining forces with the organizers of Tucson Modernism Week in what promises to be Tucson's most diversified home tour yet.  We're jazzed about the fact that we'll be getting historic homes and examples of contemporary living on the same ticket. Don't miss the Paulo Soleri-designed chapel, an Art Brown house, a remodel by Tucson architect Bil Taylor, and UA Architecture Professor Mary Hardin's downtown home. The tour takes place 9am to 2pm, Sunday October 6. Tickets for sale online at www.tucsonmod.com. 

* Canned food 'art' to feed the hungry. Approximately one in four children in Southern Arizona is food-insecure, making our state the third highest in the nation when it comes to hungry kids. A group of architects, designers and engineers are doing something about it this Saturday at Tucson's Park Place Mall when they turn their hand to making sculptures out of food cans. The cans - and there are expected to be tons of them - will then be donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Watch the spectacle this Saturday. The sculptures will be up until October 7th. Details here.

 

Calling all mid mods...

3 Story Magazine is a proud sponsor of the second annual Tucson Modernism Week, a three-day extravaganza of films, lectures and events, including a swanky cocktail party. TMW highlights and celebrates Tucson’s mid-century modern design and architecture.  In the southern Arizona desert, the movement has come to be defined as Sonoran Modern. For TMW's full schedule click here. For registration and tickets,  click here.

Highlights you won’t want to miss:

1. Opening Reception: Chat and imbibe with fellow afficionados and enjoy the lovely night air at the beautiful Chase Bank building (above), built in 1971. Sydney Ballesteros, vintage stylist and consultant extraordinaire, will be staging a vintage fashion exhibit.  Models will be on display decked out from head to toe in fabulous fashions from the 1950s and 60s.

When: Friday October 4th, 6:30-8 pm

Where: Chase Bank, 3033 E. Broadway Blvd at Country Club

Cost: Free. But reservation required.

2. Robots! Atomic through the Space Age: Patricia Katchur, owner of Yikes Toy Store, talks fun facts, fantastic photos and the astonishing history of robots – both vintage and space age. We’re not talkin’ the Tin Man (or are we?)

When:  Saturday, October 5, 1-2pm

Where: Evangelical Lutheran Church, 115 North Tucson Boulevard

Cost: Free

3. I'm a Harwood Steiger Addict: Cynthia deVillemarette, a quilter and lover of the creative arts, will tell us all about the life and work of this mid-century icon of Southern Arizona fabric design and production.

When:  Saturday, October 5, 2-3pm

Where: Temple Emanu-El, 225 North Country Club Road

Cost:  Free

4. Design is One: Kathy Brew & Roberto Guerra’s film brings us into the world of Italian-born Lella and Massimo Vignelli who are among the world’s most influential designers. You have probably seen their work - now you’ll know all about it.

When:  Saturday, October 5, 10-11:30am

Where: Loft Theater, 3233 East Speedway

Cost: $10.00. Ticket Required

5. Paolo Soleri Beyond Form: In this cinéma vérité-style documentary, take a fresh and intimate look at the legendary and multi-talented artist, philosopher, urban theorist and architect Paolo Soleri who pioneered the dream of creating an environment in harmony with man.

When:  Saturday, October 5, 1-2:30pm

Where: Loft Theater, 3233 East Speedway

Cost: $10.00

6. Mid-Century Marketplace and Expo and Max Jules Gottschalk Furniture Exhibit: Check out the marketplace featuring vendors from around the southwest offering a variety of vintage furniture, accessories and lighting from the 1950s through

the 70s. And be sure to visit the special exhibit celebrating the industrial furniture design of Tucson based Max Jules Gottschalk. Read about him in 3 Story's article, The Wild Mod West.

When:  Saturday, October 5, 9am - 6:00 pm and Sunday, October 6, 8:30am-4pm

Where: Murphy Building, 2959 East Broadway

Cost: Free

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Tucson...

"There’s not another Tucson. We broke the mold," writes Councilman Steve Kozachik in the latest Love Letter to Tucson. And while Steve is no stranger to making headlines, it's refreshing (we think) to see him wax lyrical on matters other than city politics.

Here's an excerpt: "I run and bike all over town. In a single workout I can see architecture that is a hundred years old, built last week, sitting on a river bed or nestled in a downtown environment. I pass residential single family homes, student housing, military base housing, territorial form, adobe, brick, block, wood shake and tilt-up metal. There’s even a double deck container house on my running route."

In his mini essay, he celebrates the city's history, midcentury vibe, cycling and walking, the University, and more. And on the eve of both Architecture Week and Tucson Modernism Week, it couldn't be better timing.

We're delighted to be partnering with Rachel Miller's Love Letters to Tucson blog every month.