Docomomo Southern California

09/10/2026

TOUR DAY 2026 | OCTOBER 11

A collection of fantastical sea creatures and a lesser-known history of modernism inhabit a sandy lagoon in the city of San Gabriel’s Vincent Lugo Park. Rediscover your inner (mid-century modern) child or bring your own to a day of play, community, history, and food as Docomomo Southern California celebrates master sculptor and playground designer, Benjamin Dominguez (1894-1974), at his masterpiece La Laguna de San Gabriel or “Monster Park.”

We will learn about the grassroots movement to save this rare example of postwar playground design from demolition, the rigorous process of restoring the artist’s one-of-a-kind handmade sculptures for future generations to enjoy, and recreate with games and food. Details to follow.

In the meantime, you can read about Dominguez in DOCOMOMO US’s recent newsletter: https://docomomo-us.org/news/benjamin-dominguez-a-mexican-american-playground-designer

03/15/2026

Tickets are still available for Gregory Ain Mar Vista Tract Open House + Tea Ceremony on March 16. Seven homes designed by Ain and landscape architect Garrett Eckbo, including the original model house (on view for the very first time!) will be on this self-guided tour, which includes a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. This event is open to International Docomomo Conference attendees and the general public! Link in bio.

Photos by ©Kamei lab. CIT Nihon Univ. 2026

03/09/2026

Join Docomomo International on March 21 for a tour of Charles Moore's work in Los Angeles. Among the stops is a rare visit to the condominium complex he designed for himself as a professor at UCLA. Tickets are open to the public.
https://www.docomomo2026.com/tours-1/moore-and-more-the-works-of-charles-moore-in-los-angeles

03/05/2026

Reserve your spot now!! Three amazing International Docomomo Conference tours featuring a fantastic range of Southern California Modernist and Postmodernist sites still have some tickets available. These three tours are open to the public and do not require conference registration.

🫖 Mon 3/16 - Mar Vista Tract Open House & Tea Ceremony
🚍 Sat 3/21 - Moore & More: The Works of Charles Moore in Los Angeles [Bus Tour]
🚍 Sat 3/21 - Claremont Modern: Postwar California Dreaming [Bus Tour]

Tickets sales end on March 9, so reserve yours soon! Link in bio.

02/26/2026

Join us for a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, and visit seven Gregory Ain-designed homes in the Mar Vista tract, including the original model house (on view for the very first time!). This ticketed event is open to conference attendees and the public!

Designed in 1948 by architect Gregory Ain and landscape architect Garrett Eckbo, the Mar Vista Tract is a landmark of California Modernism. Experience this unique historic district firsthand in an open house style tour of seven of the Mar Vista tract homes. The tour includes participation in a Japanese tea ceremony, as well as a site-specific installation featuring works by Carlos Agredano, Jono Coles, and Harrison Kinnane Smith focused on the legacy of Gregory Ain, and an exhibit of tea utensils by Jeffrey Sugish*ta.

Photo by ©Kamei lab. CIT Nihon Univ. 2026

californiamodernism

01/14/2026

Docomomo US/SoCal is excited to announce scholarships for up to three current students to attend the Docomomo International Student Workshop for the 19th International Docomomo Conference from March 12-17, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. Recipients will also receive registration for the 19th International Docomomo Conference, Multiple Moderns: Climate, Community, Creativity, directly following the Student Workshop from March 17–22, 2026, as well as a one-year individual membership to Docomomo US.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 11:59PM PST. For further details on the Student Workshop, eligibility, and how to apply, please visit: http://www.docomomo-socal.org/2026idcfunding.html (link in bio).

Image: © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)

12/17/2025

Please sign, share, send comments, and show up this Thursday!

🚨 Save the Ray Kappe-Designed Stoner House in Long Beach: Public Hearing on December 18! 🚨

This Thursday, December 18, the Long Beach Planning Commission will hear an appeal filed by the Coalition to Save the Stoner House—a coalition formed by the Los Angeles Conservancy, DOCOMOMO US/Docomomo Southern California, and Long Beach Heritage. The appeal was filed on a City of Long Beach action that approves demolition of a rare 1956 Ray Kappe-designed home in Long Beach's Naples Island.

The post-and-beam house is the earliest example of Kappe’s work in Long Beach, and is the only example of his work in the community prior to 1975. To justify the demolition of the house, two fundamentally flawed historic assessment reports were commissioned by the owner that found the property ineligible for listing. The Coalition strongly disagrees with these findings.

Our Coalition is open to finding a win-win that would allow the property to make compatible additions or renovations, but Kappe’s seminal work should be preserved for future generations.

The Conservancy and the Coalition to Save the Stoner House is asking you to take action:
1️⃣ Email the Long Beach Planning Commission at [email protected] (cc: [email protected]) urging them to reverse their flawed decision.
2️⃣ Attend the public hearing on Thursday, December 18, at 5 p.m. at the Long Beach City Hall Civic Chambers (411 W. Ocean Blvd) or attend virtually on Zoom: https://longbeach-gov.zoom.us/j/93410964133
3️⃣ Speak at the hearing in support of preserving the Stoner House.

📣 Take action now to save the Stoner House here: https://bit.ly/3L3x22L

📸: Photo by Andrew Salimian/L.A. Conservancy.



Long Beach City
Long Beach Community Development

11/07/2025

Please sign and continue to share our petition to Save the Stoner House! Every signature helps show widespread community support.

Docomomo US/SoCal, the Los Angeles Conservancy, and Long Beach Heritage have formed the Coalition to Save the Stoner House, filing an appeal on a City of Long Beach action that approves demolition of a rare 1956 Ray Kappe-designed home in Long Beach (5679 E. Corso Di Napoli).

Link in bio to learn more.

11/07/2025

Docomomo US/SoCal, Los Angeles Conservancy, and Long Beach Heritage have formed the Coalition to Save the Stoner House, filing an appeal on a City of Long Beach action that approves demolition of a rare 1956 Ray Kappe-designed home in Long Beach (5679 E. Corso Di Napoli).

Read more: https://c.org/DfsKYd6TFg

Please continue to share the petition widely to show strong community support for saving the Stoner House!