Architecture and Design Events Taking Center Stage This Summer

Mark your calendars, these summer events are right around the corner.

As summer heats up, the realm of architecture and design comes alive with a myriad of exciting events, tours, exhibitions, and gatherings. These next couple of months present a golden opportunity for enthusiasts of all backgrounds to submerge themselves in latest trends and groundbreaking ideas, while also commemorating designs that have stood the test of time. From renowned architecture exhibitions to design festivals that celebrate creativity in all its forms, summer 2023 promises an abundance of inspiration. Don’t miss out on these visionary events happening in various corners of the coasts that will leave a memorable mark on the world of design.

ACID-FREE

June 16 – 18, 2023
ACID-FREE is a 3 day art book market curated and organized by a collective of Los Angeles based independent publishers. Hosting 90+ local and international exhibitors, the market is free and open to the public. Collectors and art book lovers can discover new publications, including music and video. There will also be a full schedule of programming, signing, and exhibitions.

Credit: Jeff Robins

Los Angeles Design Festival 

June 22 – 25, 2023
The Los Angeles Design Festival is back this year with the theme “Design for the People,” and will include events in Long Beach, Culver City, and Downtown LA. The festival serves as a platform for creatives across all realms to come together, collaborate, and engage in meaningful conversations. All three locations will offer free events open to the public, including a block party, a live podcast, studio tours, pop-ups, talks, installations, and more.

Architecture Tours by Modernism Week

June 22, July 1 and July 8 

Special Palm Springs summer tour dates have been announced! Experience the ultimate modern architecture tour experience in Palm Springs aboard an air-conditioned mini-coach. Discover all of the midcentury wonders of Palm Springs through a carefully curated small group tour led by our top-rated Modernism Week guides. The desert awaits!

MFA Graphic Design Art Book Fair

June 24 – June 25, 2023

Otis College of Art and Design is bringing back their second year of the MFA Graphic Design Art Book Fair. Organized by the faculty and students of the design program, the event is a vibrant celebration of art books, zines, experimental printed materials, and more. By creating a public-facing arena for exhibits, interactions, and sales, the fair seeks to inspire conversations around cultural publishing, graphic design, art, and culture in Los Angeles, Southern California, and beyond.

Architecture Now: New York, New Publics

Through July 29, 2023

New York, New Publics is an exhibition showcasing 12 innovative projects that reimagine public spaces across New York City’s five boroughs. These projects offer a nuance from disruptive urban renewal approaches of the past, instead proposing subtle interventions. Envisioning the city as an interconnected ecosystem, these designs aim to create accessible, sustainable, and equitable urban environments. The exhibition features a wide range of proposals, including waterfront parks, community gardens, cultural spaces, and virtual monuments. Through models, drawings, photographs, and videos, visitors can explore these transformative architectural concepts and witness their potential for daily use.

Credit: Michael Moran

Nantucket by Design

August 2 – 5, 2023

Nantucket by Design, the annual summer fundraiser hosted by the Nantucket Historical Association, presents a lineup of events tailored to enthusiasts of the island’s classic maritime charm. The event features a program of lectures, an exclusive antique show preview, panel discussions, and notably, a project with New York School of Interior Design students reimagining rooms within properties on the storied island.

Shoppe Object

August 13 – August 15, 2023

Shoppe Object, the semiannual home and gift show in New York, was created as a “refreshing alternative to the status quo” of traditional trade shows. With a thoughtful curation process, the event showcases makers and designers who embody innovation and offer top-quality goods. From top industry names to niche makers, Shoppe Object provides a diverse marketplace where individuals can access a wide array of products and offerings.

Gego: Measuring Infinity

Through September 10, 2023

The Guggenheim in New York City proudly unveils a comprehensive exhibition featuring nearly 200 works by the esteemed German-Venezuelan artist and architect, Gego. The show encompasses sculptures, photographs, textiles, sketches, and letters, offering a deep dive into the artist’s creative journey. Spanning the 1950s to the 1990s, the exhibition presents Gego’s evolving exploration of organic forms and linear structures in both two and three dimensional artworks. Gego’s vision delves into the intricate relationship between lines, space, and volume, guided by concepts of fragility, tension, transparency, and illusions.