Ernest and Esther Born helped shape San Francisco modernism through architecture, photography, graphic design, and planning. UC Berkeley’s exhibition Modernism: Born in California, on view through September 30, 2026, traces their Bay Area legacy from the 1920s to the 1960s at Bauer Wurster Hall’s Environmental Design Library.

Docomomo US/Northern California honors the life and legacy of Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA, who was an architect, teacher, writer, and a key figure in Northern California modernism. He passed away on April 5, 2026, at The Sea Ranch at the age of 90. As a founding partner of Moore, Lyndon, Turnbull and Whitaker, Lyndon played a major role in shaping The Sea Ranch in the early 1960s. He described it as a coastal community built on a “limited partnership” between buildings and the land, reflecting values of stewardship, collaboration, and care. 

Docomomo US/Northern California has launched a new online resource highlighting the life and work of Roger Y. Lee, AIA (1920–1981), one of the most prolific yet underrecognized figures of Bay Area Modernism. A Chinese-American architect who overcame systemic racial barriers of his time, Lee created more than 100 residences and a wide range of civic, commercial, and religious projects across the West Coast.

Explore the newly launched Beverley D Thorne archive on Docomomo Northern California’s website. Discover the life and works of this pioneering ‘Man of Steel,’ including his famous Dave Brubeck House, Case Study House #26, and innovative steel-framed designs. Dive into California Modernism’s rich history through this comprehensive collection.