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A Second Look: Googie Architecture and the Modern Ideal

Swedish Cultural Center
Seattle, WA

In recent months, Googie architecture has been brought to the collective consciousness of Seattleites. What is Googie architecture? Why is it significant to our architectural and cultural heritage? What does it mean in the larger context of Modernism? Why should we care?

Docomomo WEWA and its co-sponsors welcome California architecture critic Alan Hess to Seattle on May 20th. He will examine how Googie architecture successfully combined Modernism and popular culture and why it is important today. Alan Hess is the author of Googie Redux: Ultramodern Roadside Architecture (2004) and Googie: Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture (1985). As a practicing architect and historian, Hess documents the emerging suburban metropolises of the West. He has been active in the preservation of roadside and post War architecture. His writings and advocacy efforts have helped raise awareness and appreciation of mid-century Modern commercial architecture and have led to the preservation of many of these resources.

Docomomo WEWA thanks its co-sponsors 360modern.com, Historic Seattle, seattlemodern.com, the Swedish Cultural Center, and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. This event would not be possible without their generosity.

Note: The lecture begins at 6:30 pm. If you wish to tour the Swedish Cultural Center beforehand, join us in the lobby at 5:45 pm. Free parking is available in any of the three lots owned by the Swedish Cultural Center. Two parking lots are located to the south and east of the building. A third lot is located across Dexter Ave. N. to the west. The building is also along bus routes 26 and 28.

Kid Friendly: No

Dog Friendly: No

Non-Smoking: No

Wheelchair Accessible: No

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