Historical Society gets ready for busy La Jolla Modernism & Architecture Week

The concepts of history and modern might seem to be opposites, but the La Jolla Historical Society has managed to blend the two with its La Jolla Modernism & Architecture Week.

The third annual event, planned for October, will feature new offerings and expansions to existing ones. Tickets are selling fast, according to the Historical Society.

The Modernism weekend will be Friday through Sunday, Oct. 3-5, and serve as the kickoff to Architecture Week, which is Oct. 6-12 but will have events only on Thursday, Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct. 12.

“We are working hard to develop related programs celebrating the architectural heritage of La Jolla,” said Historical Society Executive Director Lauren Lockhart. “We really want it to be an annual tradition that everyone looks forward to. If you care about design, architecture and history in this region, you could spend the whole week with us.”

The Modernism weekend will start with a cocktail party Oct. 3 at a private residence that is considered a “bonus house” for those interested in Modernist-style architecture.

The La Jolla Modernism Home Tour will be Oct. 4, and Lockhart credited the committee that designed the event — including historians, architects and others — with finding new houses to feature. Much like the Historical Society’s Secret Garden Tour, the locations are not disclosed until the day of the event.

The Modernism Home Tour historically has sold out in the weeks leading up to it.

As a hint to the properties that might be included, event chairwoman Joan Gand said the featured architect this year is William Kesling.

“He had a very interesting career in La Jolla in that he designed both low-cost housing for middle classes and very high-end custom homes, and we are going to have examples of that,” Gand said. “He also designed commercial buildings, so we’re focusing on that. We will have other houses by other architects, including Henry Hester, who is a … great modern architect.”

Guests will have the option of a self-guided tour in which they drive themselves or a Platinum Tour that includes lunch, a bonus house and buses to take them to each location.

For the first time, local architects will be on the buses to speak about La Jolla designs in general, as well as offer insights into each house on the tour.

Oct. 5 will feature two events that have never been offered before.

The first is a tour and talk provided by Modernist furniture dealer Hobbs Modern in Pacific Beach, which typically is not open to the public.

“Hobbs Modern is going to stage a beautiful exhibit of rare Modernist furniture at one of the homes,” Gand said. “So that is a new feature of this year’s tour.”

The other new Sunday event is a talk and book launch for “The Distinct Modernism of San Diego” by the Rev. Mark Hargreaves that coincides with a visit to the studio of contemporary Modernist architect Jennifer Luce in La Jolla for a “Wine and Design” reception.

Organizers hope those who participate in the Modernism weekend events will “stay with us” through the following week, Lockhart said.

Architecture Week events will include “Timeless Architecture: An Artist Tribute to La Jolla” on Oct. 9, featuring paintings by local artist Paula McColl and a panel discussion with design professionals reflecting on the region’s architectural legacy. The event is free, though registration is required.

The week will conclude Oct. 12 with the annual Jewel Awards, which honor “individuals and projects that have made outstanding contributions to La Jolla’s architectural heritage,” according to the Historical Society.

All the events, Gand said, are for “lifelong architectural enthusiasts” as well as people who are “just curious to learn more about Modernism, about La Jolla and hidden treasures we have.”

The week is an opportunity when “we can all get together and celebrate this heritage of design that was so important to La Jolla,” she added. “There is a culture of innovation in La Jolla … architecturally, and so many of these architects had their offices in La Jolla. So it’s important to celebrate that history.”

While architects like Irving Gill might have name recognition in La Jolla, Lockhart said “there was a whole cadre of Modernist architects who were at the forefront of this movement, right here in this little village.”

Proceeds from La Jolla Modernism & Architecture Week will go toward Historical Society exhibitions and public and youth programs.

To find out more and purchase event tickets, visit lajollahistory.org/la-jolla-modernism-home-tour.