Unsung Advocates of Mid-Century Modern - Page 2

ALAN HESS
Architect, historian, and passionate advocate of the 'recent past' for nearly four decades, Hess is the victorious voice of preservation. Lecturing throughout California and beyond, he is a familiar face at Palm Springs Modernism Week, engaging audiences with his warmth and intellect. Currently serving on the State Historical Resources Commission, Hess lends his knowledge to evaluating the eligibility for listing historic residential and commercial properties. He is also the author of 20 architectural books, including Frank Lloyd Wright: Natural Design, Organic Architecture, Forgotten Modern: California Houses 1940-1970, and Hollywood Modern: Houses of the Stars.

ADRIENE BIONDO
Known for her tenacious advocacy, and her car's "endlessly spinning odometer," Biondo has worked as a residential and commercial preservation consultant for 30 years. As a Chairman emeritus of the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee, she initiated the multiple-property Case Study House nomination, and worked to create an Historic Preservation Overlay Zone for the Balboa Highlands Eichler neighborhood, in Granada Hills, where she resides. In 2001, Biondo joined the Historic Quest committee in the Bay Area, working to qualify two Palo Alto Eichler tracts for the National Register. She has co-authored four books, including Modern Tract Homes, and has written for CA-Modern.

STEVEN KEYLON
A landscape historian-turned-crusader who thrives on sharing and researching the history of cultural landscapes, Keylon is the editor of Eden, the journal of the California Garden and Landscape History Society; and serves on the board of the Palm Springs Modern Committee and Docomomo US/SoCal. He co-authored the cultural landscape reports for Baldwin Hills Village (Los Angeles), and historic context statement for the garden apartments of Los Angeles. Keylon restored and landmarked his Herbert Burns-designed home in Palm Springs, and then authored the books The Design of Herbert W. Burns and The Modern Architecture of Hugh Michael Kaptur.

GRETCHEN STEINBERG
A natural historian and leader, Steinberg founded the non-profit Sacramento Modern to bring recognition to our state capitol's own mid-century heritage. Organizing the very first tour of Sacramento's modern homes in 2010, she brought together a team of volunteers to champion the Streng Bros. homes, custom designs by architect Carter Sparks, and the area's sole Eichler neighborhood. While focused on raising awareness as a key component of her preservation efforts, Steinberg with SacMod inspired the city to create a comprehensive modernist context statement, a collaborative effort that has resulted in the designation of some of Sacramento's most unique historic treasures.