The 6 Books Every Modernist Coffee Table Needs

Modernist bibliophiles, unite. See our top literary picks and a round up of book signings during Modernism Week.

Brutalism_Darren Bradley

Brutalism by Darren Bradley
Award-winning architectural photographer Darren Bradley developed his craft while documenting the modern architecture he discovered on his travels. Several countries and years later, he has gained increasing recognition for his stunning photography, which is now captured in his first book. Brutalism is a celebration of brutalist architecture, and features a collection of Bradley’s own photographs that showcase the way the structures manipulate light and shadows. Meet the author when he joins fellow “photograuthors” (photographers-turned-authors) James Schnepf and Dan Chavkin for “The New Photographers of Mid-Century Modern Architecture” on February 19th.

Desert Modernists Cover_hires

The Desert Modernists: The Architects Who Envisioned Midcentury Modern Palm Springs
The 144-page soft cover book provides a look at the architects who shaped Desert Modern architecture featuring spectacular photography of their most significant and historical projects – with many never-before-seen photos. This historic collaborative effort covers 12 groundbreaking architects and their influential work, with writings by 13 famous authors and 17 architectural photographers. This book can be purchased online, or at any of the locations below:

Architecture + Design Center – 300 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Destination PSP – 170 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Fallingwater Museum Store – 1491 Mill Run Road Mill Run, PA
Hennessey + Ingalls – 1520 N Cahuenga Blvd #8, Los Angeles, CA
Just Fabulous – 515 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Just Modern – 901 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Palm Springs Art Museum – 101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs
Palm Springs Visitor’s Center – 2901 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs
Trina Turk – 891 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs Modern Living_James Schnepf

Palm Springs Modern Living by James Schnepf
Photographer and author James Schnepf spent four years filling this book with captivating photos and stories that document the unparalleled collection of Midcentury Modern architecture and fascinating people found in Palm Springs. Over 50 modernists, artists and architects were interviewed, including such luminaries as Donald Wexler, William Krisel, and Hugh Kaptur. Meet the author when he joins fellow architectural photographers Darren Bradley and Dan Chavkin for “The New Photographers of Mid-Century Modern Architecture” on February 19th.

PalmSpringsWeekend_AlanHess

Palm Springs Weekend: The Architecture and Design of a Midcentury Oasis by Alan Hess
No modernist coffee table is complete without a copy of this authoritative book by architectural historian, critic and author, Alan Hess. Filled with hundreds of photographs and vintage ephemera, Palm Springs Weekend reveals an inimitable city where modern design, Hollywood glamour, and the desolate drama of the desert coalesce. Meet the author during “Modern Giants at Eisenhower Medical Center” on February 13th, where he will be highlighting early 1970s and 1980s modern architecture.

Unseen Midcentury Desert Modern_Dan Chavkin

Unseen Mid Century Desert Modern by Dan Chavkin
Book signing: February 13 and 14, 2016

This rich photographic collection of largely unseen examples of desert modern architecture – including secret gems from William Cody, John Porter Clark, and more – is the result of Dan Chavkin’s personal passion for midcentury modern architecture. The Palm Springs-based architectural photographer will be launching and signing his new book during “Modern Giants at Eisenhower Medical Center” on February 13th, and sharing about the process of photographing and publishing his work on February 14th. Guests can get an inside view of the city’s underrated residences in the Unseen Midcentury Desert Modern Home Tour on February 15th. And if that’s not enough, you can still meet the author when he joins fellow architectural photographers Darren Bradley and James Schnepf for “The New Photographers of Mid-Century Modern Architecture” on February 19th

Vladimir Kagan

Vladimir Kagan, A Lifetime of Avant-Garde Design by Vladimir Kagan
Book signing: February 14, 2016

Renowned furniture designer Vladimir Kagan is one of the the greatest mid-century designers, and his avant garde work has become more popular than ever. This book celebrates Mr. Kagan’s work, documenting the breadth, depth, and longevity of his career. Meet the man himself at a special book-signing and VIP reception following “The Iconic Iconoclast: Vladimir Kagan” – an intimate conversation with ELLE DECOR Editor-in-Chief Michael Boodro on February 14th.