New Orleans’ Modern Heritage

New Orleans’ architectural community had largely embraced Modernism by the 1950s, generating highly-creative, forward-thinking works which received national attention from preeminent publications such as Progressive Architecture and Architectural Forum. Many local architects came out of Tulane’s School of Architecture either as students or educators, including Albert Ledner, Charles Colbert, and Nathaniel C. Curtis, Jr. and Arthur Q. Davis of Curtis & Davis. Other firms such as Goldstein, Parham & Labouisse had evolved from older, more traditional practices, and out of town firms such as Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill had an important presence as well.

Their buildings are increasingly reaching the standard fifty-year age mark typically necessary for consideration as “historic.” Yet modern structures are often deemed obsolete because of the assumption that they cannot be adapted to new uses, because their history is misunderstood, and because, without proper maintenance, materials such as concrete and steel tend to not weather well, making it difficult to imagine these buildings as they once were. Despite these misconceptions, appreciation for New Orleans’ modern heritage is quickly growing, though some unique challenges have come to characterize the local movement.

The history of DOCOMOMO US/Louisiana, New Orleans’ most prominent advocate for modern architecture, reflects these challenges. The group began with an August 2005 meeting to discuss the formation of a local chapter of DOCOMOMO US. Hurricane Katrina hit just one week later, and the ensuing chaos broadened the group’s course from one of increasing public awareness to the struggle to save modern landmarks from immediate demolition after the storm. The effects of flooding upon modern structures only aggravated the above arguments against their preservation, and many owners from the state to the Recovery School District have sought federal funds for their demolition and replacement. DOCOMOMO US/Louisiana became an official chapter of the national organization in February 2008, and since then, along with the PRC, has been an outspoken voice in FEMA Section 106 consultation meetings arguing for the preservation of National Register-eligible modern structures.

But while Hurricane Katrina has complicated the efforts to preserve modern buildings, public interest in their worth and potential is growing. Check back for our next post on Modernism to read more about what the PRC, DOCOMOMO US/Louisiana, and others are doing to increase support for modern preservation and, most importantly, how you can help.