Modernism Design Panel

Join us for a 4x4 style panel discussion where four distinct voices in the mid-century modern space will speak on four engaging topics.
About this Event

✦ About the Talk ✦

Join us for a 4x4 style panel discussion where four distinct voices in the mid-century modern space will speak on four engaging topics honoring 20th-century design. This panel brings together practical home renovation advice, fascinating industrial history, and an insider's look at a full-scale residential restoration. 

“Retrovating” Your Mid-Mod Home  |  Kimber Dempsey

Join us for a quick overview of "retrovating" your mid-century home. We'll discuss common renovations that enhance rather than erase a home's architectural integrity, original features that are worth preserving, and thoughtful ways to add back mid-century flair. From materials and finishes to lighting, colors, and hardware, you'll leave with practical ideas for honoring your home's history while making it work for today's lifestyle.

Damsels in Design: Women in the Automotive Industry, 1940 to 1960  |  Tish Gance

Women have been shaping the automobile since before most of us think the story even starts. Bertha Benz proved the car itself was viable. Margaret Wilcox gave us the car heater. Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper. Florence Lawrence created early turn signals and brake lights. And in the 1950s, a group of talented women designers at General Motors, dubbed the "Damsels of Design," transformed automotive interiors and challenged what a car could be.

Restoring his home in Sunset Lanes on YouTube  |  Josh Robinson  

Sunset Lanes; A deep dive into the restoration process of a Mid-20th century modernist home. Join us for an overview and deep dive into the restoration of Josh Robinson's personal home. Featured in the popular youtube series; Josh Robinson, Sunset Lanes. This talk will delve into what goes into a multi-year whole house restoration, the trials and tribulations of this sort of project, and how to manage and budget a restoration of your own.

Topic to be announced!  |  Atom Stevens

Will he share his latest research on the A-frame? Or his curated collection of mid-century sites across the Denver metro-area? Perhaps an overview of the iconic Cliff May homes? This local historian is keeping us on our toes!

✦ About Our Presenters ✦

Kimber Dempsey is a Realtor® specializing in mid-century modern, vintage, and other unique properties.  She is a Colorado native who is immersed in the local market, sitting on the board for Historic Littleton Inc and Docomomo US/Colorado to promote education and preservation of the state’s modern architecture.  As the chair of the Colorado Chapter’s Documentation committee, she applies her personal knowledge and experience of maintaining modern properties.  Her latest projects include a landmark designation for a Bruce Sutherland residence in Littleton, a National Register nomination for South Dahlia Lane, and restoring the Cottle House in Arapaho Hills.

Presenter Tish Gance is a brand strategist, classic car marketer, and midcentury preservationist. Her love of the era began in her grandfather's 1954 International design show home, where she grew up, and deepened when she later watched that home be destroyed. This presentation celebrates the overlooked women whose fingerprints are all over the cars we love.

Josh Robinson is Senior Project Designer, President of Docomomo Colorado, and is known for his talks and activities relating to Modernist architecture across the city and state. Robinson is also the President of the Ghost Town Club of Colorado, and participates in roles relating to education and preservation of those historic sites. In his free time Josh is restoring a 1955 Modernist home designed by Norton Polivnick in the historic community of Sunset Lanes.

Interior designer turned real estate agent Atom Stevens is a local resource for in-depth knowledge about mid-20th century home building and design in the Denver metro area and specializes in helping people buy and sell 20th century modern and charming homes with a focus on good design. He lives with his family in a Cliff May Home in Harvey Park, is a charter member and board VP of Docomomo US/CO and holds a Bachelor of Interior Architecture from Kansas State University.

✦ Accessibility & Parking✦

The building is accessible.  Parking is available on the building parking lot free of charge. 

Please note that events take place rain, snow or shine. If your tour includes an outdoor portion, please dress for the weather. A member of the Docomomo team will contact all attendees directly should an event be canceled for any reason.

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