About Us

For passionate architecture fans, which are many, Modernist houses evoke a true love. These houses connect people to nature and the land through carefully designed spaces that are relaxing, compelling, and utterly addictive. For many, Modernist houses are livable sculptures, and many of these mid-century sculptures are endangered. Their locations, often on prime real estate, can be worth much more than the houses, making demolition and development an attractive option.

Learn about USModernist in Palm Springs and our mission of documentation, preservation, and promotion of Modernist houses.

By connecting detailed information, histories, and maps, we help Modernist houses in danger be purchased or otherwise preserved. We raise awareness about Modernist preservation and preserve the legacy of exceptional design for future generations. We have been recognized with 18 awards for local, state, and national leadership in historic preservation, giving thousands of people access to the most exciting residential architecture, past and present. We connect people with their past or their future dream homes and preserve histories for future generations. We started as Triangle Modernist Houses in 2007 and became a nonprofit 501C3 in 2009. By 2013, the project expanded statewide to become NCModernist®. In 2015, we launched USModernist® which hosts national and international tours; the largest open digital archive of Modernist houses and architects in America; an architecture magazine library, and the USModernist Radio podcast.

George Smart HAIA, CEO. His wife refers to this project as "a 16-year seizure."	Michela O'Connor Abrams, Chief Advancement Officer. We won't DWELL on her experience.	Carie Chesarino, Archivist. First day on the job, she solved a huge cold case.
Angela Roehl, Tour Director. Books and leads exciting architecture tours. She really hates this.	Devra Dubroff, Special Events Manager.  Keeps things moving smoothly, like a coffee shop where you never have to wait.	Tara Barthelmess, Event Support. She's the smiling face you'll see at event registration.
Virginia Faust, Real Estate. Monitors iconic houses across NC day after day, for years.	Kelly Policelli, Archivist. Without a scuba tank, does amazingly deep dives into project lists.	Trevor O'Donnell, Social Media. By day, a walking Wikipedia on Palm Springs.
Michael Locke, Photography. He's shot over 5,000 houses in LA. With his camera.	Frank Harmon FAIA, National Affairs. Sends alerts when our fenestration needs a parti hat.	Ormando Harris, Donation Transport.  Like Batman, he arrives quickly on the scene.
Ron Gallagher, News Editor. He moniters our spelling, too.	Catherine Cramer, Research. She can find any Modernist house. Resistance is futile.