Young Talent
The Palm Springs Modern Committee is inspiring the next generation of designers and architects.
By Jickie Torres
OPPOSITE: “WE REALIZED THAT WHEN WE LOST SOME OF OUR ICONIC BUILDINGS IT WAS BECAUSE OF A LACK OF INFORMATION,” JOAN SAYS. "THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM RUN BY PS MODCOM ARE MEANT TO REACH THE WIDER COMMUNITY AND A GREAT PLACE TO DO THAT IS THROUGH THE SCHOOLS AND THE NEXT GENERATION.”
BELOW: THE BEAM PROGRAM ISN’T JUST ABOUT PUBLIC CIVIC BUILDINGS. STUDENTS ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DESIGN THEIR OWN HOUSES INSPIRED BY WHAT THEY’VE LEARNED ABOUT MODERN DESIGN.
RIGHT: “MODERNISM ISN’T AS EASILY UNDERSTOOD OR IMMEDIATELY APPRECIATED SOMETIMES,” JOAN SAYS. “WHEN WE DESCRIBE HOW THESE BUILDINGS WERE BUILT TO ADDRESS THE HOT SUN AND HOW THE ELEMENTS OF THE BUILDING ADDRESS THE CLIMATE, THEY START TO UNDERSTAND; IT STARTS TO CLICK.”
WHILE MANY MODERNISTS flock from all over the world to visit Palm Springs to admire its mid-century history and architecture, there’s a large constituent of people who have no idea about the significance of their city—and they are perhaps the most important people of all: the local kids.