Last month, from 17-22 March the 19th International Docomomo Conference with the topic “Multiple Moderns: Climate, Community, Creativity” took place in Los Angeles. Organized by Docomomo US anf US/Southern California and Docomomo International, the conference brought, once again, together the global modern architecture community for an unforgettable week of discussions, events, and tours, having been preceeded by the Docomomo Student Workshop. Guided by the theme of Climate, Community, Creativity, the Conference celebrated the richness and diversity of 20th‑century modernism. Participants explored how modern architecture has been shaped by different climates, cultures, and collaborative practices, and how these forces remain critical to adaptation, reuse, and resilience today.
Docomomo Portugal was present at the conference through its chair prof. Ana Tostões, who moderated the session “Post-Colonial Modernism” as well as presented the communication “Non-Contradictory Complexity” together with Docomomo Brazil’s chair Marta Peixoto. Further she participated at the council meeting as Docomomo Portugal’s representant and at the ISC meeting.
Also, portuguese members Inês Lima Rodrigues and Inês Leonor Nunes presented respectively the papers “Reclaiming Housing: Postmodern Tendencies in Beira’s Architecture by Bernadino Ramalhete (1960-1974)” and “Designing, Building, and Adapting: Community Agency in Watapuluwa” on parallel sessions.
Held at the University of Southern California School of Architecture, the conference counted with “35+ moderated paper sessions and over 130 international speakers. Sessions were organized into four thematic tracks: Modernism in the Sun, Late 20th‑Century Modernism, Creativity and Collaboration, and Community Adaptation and Repurposing, alongside special-topic panels and conference-wide roundtables addressing Late Modern advocacy and digital documentation for conservation.”
Highlights of the conference were the three keynote lectures: the “opening Keynote by Thom Mayne in conversation with Frances Anderton launched the Conference with a bold discussion on Los Angeles, creativity, and the evolving legacy of modernism. Mid‑Conference Keynote by Hubert‑Jan Henket, co‑founder of Docomomo International, invited on reflection on what the Modern Movement means today in the face of climate urgency and social change. Closing Keynote by architect Frida Escobedo at the Getty Center presented a compelling vision for architecture shaped by climate, community, and creative practice.”
The Council Meeting was held on 19 March, during which 3 new National Working Parties were warmly welcomed to the Docomomo community: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Uruguay, having now Docomomo 86 working parties worldwide!
Further the Docomomo tours offered an insight to landmark works by John Lautner, Richard Neutra, Charles and Ray Eames, Paul R. Williams, and R.M. Schindler, the opening reception took place ar the LA Center Studios, and the closing reception at the Getty Center.
More information on the conference on Docomomo International’s website and social media and the conference’s website: www.docomomo2026.com/
The 20th Docomomo International Conference is already being prepared. It will take place in September 2028 in Athens, Greece! Stay tuned and visit the 2028 Conference website for updates!
