Dreams and Contradictions: Architecture and Identity in Southern California
ELIGIBLE FOR 3 AIA LU | 3 APA CEU*
The University of Southern California’s Short Course in Heritage Conservation introduces this fascinating, evolving discipline an intensive, two-week format.
Led by Sian Winship—USC adjunct faculty member and President of the Society of Architectural Historians—the California Preservation Foundation is pleased to offer a special program drawn from Arcadia/Utopia/Autopia/Dystopia in Southern California, part of last year’s USC Short Course lineup. This engaging and visually rich program examines a wide range of architectural styles from Beaux Arts to Deconstructivism, tracing major development patterns across California and highlighting the work of influential architects who have shaped the built environment over the past 150 years.
Designed for anyone looking to explore architectural history in Southern California, this program is a great way for newbies and professionals alike to fall in love with preservation, and to learn more about USC's Short Course program!
Learning Objectives
- Identify key themes and periods within an architectural history framework for Southern California and the broader California context.
- Recognize and describe character-defining features of a range of historic architectural styles.
- Associate major architects with their respective periods and contributions to California’s built environment.
- Analyze broad patterns of development across commercial, residential, institutional, and industrial property types.
About the USC Short Course in Heritage Conservation
This program is just a glimpse of what the full USC Heritage Conservation Short Course has to offer. Taught by leaders in the field, the course is designed for anyone curious about conserving the historic built environment, including those considering a career change, practitioners brushing up on the basics, and/or current or prospective students. It combines hybrid classroom sessions with field-based learning and is available as a full course, topical clusters, or individual sessions. Topics covered include preservation advocacy, community building, preservation economics, conservation techniques, designation, cultural landscapes, government policies and programs, architectural history, and research techniques. Classroom lectures and readings are augmented by a series of field sessions during which attendees apply classroom learning to real-world examples.
If this session sparks your interest, this summer’s course begins May 18—and it’s not to be missed. Learn more and register: https://arch.usc.edu/summer-course-fundamentals-of-heritage-conservation
Not in Los Angeles and don’t need academic credit? Attend the entire Short Course remotely via Zoom or pick and choose the individual sessions that meet your needs.
About Our Speaker
An architectural historian, preservation professional, and writer, Sian specializes 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. She is the author of the award-winning Japanese American Historic Context for SurveyLA, a contributing author to the book William Krisel’s Palm Springs and The Palm Springs School: Desert Modernism 1934-1975 , and numerous successful National Register Nominations. She is also on the Board of the Neutra Institute for Survival Through Design. A two-time graduate of USC, she obtained a degree in Business and a Master’s in Historic Preservation.