Yo! Modernism! In the Philadelphia region, “yo” is a colloquialism used to get someone’s attention quickly. It’s a phrase without pretense, and when combined with Modernism, it puts into focus the importance of place and community in our modern heritage, as well as the urgency of preservation efforts. The 2022 Docomomo US National Symposium will explore why Modernism still has the power to turn heads, to inform, and to adapt, and how its many manifestations reflect on local, regional, and broader goals.

From pared-down Classicism to space-age whimsy, from the streamlined to the sculptural, from the monumental to the everyday, the multi-layered, multi-generational Modernism found in Philadelphia reflects ideas found around the world, and we look forward to exploring these ideas further.

This year, we are expanding our typical Symposium schedule of offerings to include events on Tuesday and Sunday, in addition to our regular series of sessions and tours taking place Wednesday through Saturday. On Tuesday May 31 there will be a panel, tour and demonstration at Richard Neutra's Hassrick House hosted by the Center for the Preservation of Modernism from Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Architecture and the Built Environment.