Nestled amidst the eucalyptus groves of Pacific Palisades, California, the Eames House—also known as Case Study House No. 8—stands as a beacon of mid-century modern design and innovation. Designed and built in 1949 by Charles and Ray Eames, this architectural masterpiece offers visitors a glimpse into the life and creative genius of one of the most influential design duos of the 20th century. Touring this iconic home is more than just a walk through an architectural landmark; it’s an immersion into a world where functionality and beauty coexist seamlessly.

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is a world-renowned research institute located in the stunning coastal neighborhood of La Jolla in San Diego, California. It is also my favorite building in Southern California. The history-making institute was founded in 1960 by Jonas Salk, the developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine. Salk selected one of the most celebrated architects of the 20th century, Louis Kahn, to design the research facility.

Arcosanti, the concrete urban laboratory located at Cordes Junction, is an easy one hour drive north of Phoenix. Hop on HWY 17 and before too long you will be enveloped by pure Arizona desert. Built in the 1970s by Italian architect Paolo Soleri, this radial community began as a prototype arcology–a compact urban form intended to be self-sufficient and self-contained. The term arcology, coined by Soleri, is a portmanteau of architecture and ecology, now most often realized in sci-fi narratives. Post-doctorate, Soleri spent 18 months as a student at Taliesin West in fellowship with Frank Lloyd Wright. Having toured both Taliesin West and Arcosanti myself, it's easy to draw aesthetic similarities, but that's where it stops, as in my research I learned that the men held conflicting architectural philosophies.  While on my impressive one-hour tour at Arcosanti I was informed that Soleri left Taliesin West as he continually found himself in opposition to Wright.