Back by popular demand! Encore screenings of The Debut of the 1931 Aluminaire House, which premiered during Modernism Week 2025; recipient of two 2025 Telly Awards.

An unforgettable and immersive journey as we transport ourselves to April 17, 1931, the day before the iconic Aluminaire House, designed by architects Albert Frey and A. Lawrence Kocher, was unveiled to the public for the very first time. Witness this architectural marvel, recreated in stunning photorealistic cinematic detail.

Picture bustling Lexington Avenue, filled with the sights and sounds of the 1930s – pedestrians styling the latest fashions, vintage automobiles cruising by, and an atmosphere buzzing with the excitement of the city. As the immersive experience unfolds, you will walk alongside history to the entrance of the Grand Central Palace, the venue hosting the prestigious 1931 Allied Arts & Industries Architectural League’s 46th Annual Exhibition.

By invitation from Frey and Kocher, step inside the Grand Central Palace for a private tour of the recently completed Aluminaire House. Gleaming underneath the exhibition hall lights, the house stands as a beacon of modernity, ready to impress the over 100,000 guests who visited the futuristic house over the week it was displayed. Then, from seeing the house on exhibition, the film transitions to a hyper-realistic tour of a suburban neighborhood constructed of multiple Aluminaire Houses!

Preceding the short animated rendering will be a 20 minute video created by filmmaker, Jake Gorst, which explores the history of Aluminaire - from its inception and construction as an exhibition house, to it being moved multiple times and eventual deterioration and near destruction, to being saved, it's journey from New York to Palm Springs, and Aluminaire's reconstruction on the grounds of the Palm Springs Art Museum for permanent display.

This immersive experience is presented by Modernism Week in celebration of the 10 years dedicated to promoting and supporting Aluminaire’s arrival and reassembly in Palm Springs. We extend our sincere appreciation to The Chris and Jim Scott Family Foundation and Dr. Elizabeth Edwards Harris for their generous support of the animated rendering, as well as to Lu and Brian Eyerman of Skyline Ink for their meticulous historical research and technical expertise that brought this project to life.

skylineink.com

Photo Credits: Skyline Ink, Mark Davis

Location & Attendee Information

  • What are the appropriate ages for this activity?Person Ages 13 and older
  • Are pets, animals, or service animals permitted?Dog on a leash No pets, service animals permitted
  • What are the mobility considerations for this activity?Person walking Seated activity
  • What type of parking is available?Car Parking & handicap parking available
  • Are restrooms available?Restroom sign Restrooms available
  • Is this an indoor or outdoor activity?Sun Indoor activity
  • What is the policy regarding smoking?Cigarette with smoke No smoking or e-cigarettes
  • What type of ADA accessibility is available?Wheelchair Wheelchair accessible
The organizer of this event is: Modernism Week CAMP Theater Activity

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