Utah Heritage Foundation

A few weeks ago I wrote about losing two prominent architects in the same week – Steven T. Baird and Dean Gustavson.  We happened to be in the midst of celebrating their work with the Baird’s cinematic production of ZCMI: A Legacy in Cast Iron and discussing the potential to participate in Salt Lake Modern with Gustavson.

It’s time to now celebrate the work of two more local architects that have passed away this month.  They both happen to be from Ogden.

Keith Wilcox was an Ogden architect who designed buildings such as the Mount Ogden Middle School on Harrison Blvd., the original McKay (now McKay-Dee) hospital, and the Weber State University Fine Arts Center which was (now demolished) one of the state’s premier examples of the New Formalist style.  His architecture will best be remembered for his work on the Washington, D.C. LDS Temple (1968) which undoubtedly is inspired from above.  However, those that knew him best have reflected on how kind and generous Keith was in his work with the LDS Church in various positions all over the world.

Take a break from that crazy shopping to see the last film in the Design Matters film series.  Malls R Us will be shown Tuesday, December 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the City Library auditorium.  Our panel for this film will include Amy Lukas of Infinite Scale Design and economic consultant Bim Oliver.

Combining nostalgia, dazzling architecture, pop culture, economics and politics, MALLS R US examines North America's most popular and profitable suburban destination-the enclosed shopping center-and how for consumers they function as a communal, even ceremonial experience and, for retailers, sites where their idealism, passion and greed merge.

The film blends archival footage tracing the history of the shopping mall in America, visits to some of the world's largest and most spectacular malls-in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Poland, France, and Dubai-and interviews with architects, mall developers, sales managers, environmentalists, labor activists and social critics, as well as commentary from mall shoppers themselves.

Design Matters Film Series

The Pruitt-Igoe Myth

Wednesday, October 19, 7:00 p.m.

City Library Auditorium

Plan to stay after for the discussion panel.

Watch the preview.

It began as a housing marvel. Two decades later, it ended in rubble. But what happened to those caught in between?

Plan to attend a night of inspiration with "LIFE" PechaKucha.

Presented by AIA UTAH YOUNG ARCHITECTS FORUM

The night will rest on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea, 20 images x 20 seconds. Our speaker line up is incredible, we will flow between an Academy Award winning director, the Flying Yeti, video game designers, an architect who has a signature project on the High-Line, an Astrophysicist....and did I mention the Director of Rubin and Ed......really there is more!  So please join us in another exciting night of incredible dialogue.

Presented by Salt Lake City Film Center in partnership with the Utah Heritage Foundation, University of Utah College of Architecture + Planning, AIA Utah, and APA Utah.

Sponsored by 3form.

This new series celebrates the creative spirit of architecture and design.  Our first selections explore how important both are to our everyday existence and how we engage with the designed world around us.  Please join us in this exciting new partnership to view the films and participate in discussion led by the partners involved.

All films are free and open to the public, and all will start at 7:00 PM at the Salt Lake City Main Library, Nancy Tessman Auditorium, 210 East 400 South.

Preview all four films in the series.

September 20  My Playground

MY PLAYGROUND explores the way Parkour and Freerunning is changing the perception of urban space and how the spaces and buildings they are moving on are changing them.