Quantity and Quality: Modernism and More
In this grab bag of SoCal history, we talk with alum Sian Winship, an architectural historian with her fingers in many, many pies. She explored the world of modernist tract homes in her master’s thesis, Quantity and Quality: Architects Working for Developers in Southern California, 1960-1973. Quantity and quality also characterize this wide-ranging conversation about mid-century modernism, women’s heritage, social justice, the Civil War, and Palm Springs’ dirty secret. Sian also shares her path from advertising to conservation and how she used gravel as a career move.
Beber Residence, c. 1963, Richard Dorman, FAIA (Private Collection).
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Sian Winship is an architectural historian, marketing researcher, and writer, specializing in modern architecture and cultural history. As President of the Society of Architectural Historians/ Southern California Chapter, she has curated numerous architectural tours and events. A two-time graduate of USC, she obtained a degree in Business and a Master’s in Historic Preservation in 2011. |
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Trudi Sandmeier is the Director of Heritage Conservation Programs at the USC School of Architecture and co-host of the podcast. |
Want to know more about some of the ideas and places mentioned in this episode? Check out:
Thesis: Quantity and quality: Architects working for developers in Southern California, 1960–1973 [requires ProQuest access]
SurveyLA Japanese American Context
SurveyLA Women’s Rights Context
Palm Springs Ethnic Minorities Context
FORT: LA Japanese American Architects Trail
[Church of the Epiphany] “This church was vital for L.A.’s Chicano movement. Now it’s getting the landmark status it deserves,” Los Angeles Times, January 28, 2021
