PSPF board member Steven Keylon, an architectural historian and author, will explore the life and multifaceted career of Palm Springs architect Hugh M. Kaptur, the last remaining architect of the legendary school of Palm Springs Modern architects. After working as a designer at General Motors in Detroit, Kaptur arrived in Palm Springs in 1956, as the first wave of modernist design was taking off. He worked first with architect Donald Wexler before launching his own career. The lecture will touch on major themes in Kaptur's work, from early post-and-beam Desert Modern, his bold organic sculptural architecture, his exploration of Brutalism, and designs utilizing strong geometric forms. Keylon is the author of The Modern Architecture of Hugh Michael Kaptur; is past president of the California Garden and Landscape History Society, editor of their journal, Eden; a member of the Stewardship Council of The Cultural Landscape Foundation; and an advisory board member of Docomomo US/SoCal.

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to educate and promote public awareness of the importance of preserving the historical resources and architecture of the city of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley area.” PSPF offers free membership as a public benefit.

www.pspreservationfoundation.org