In the 1950s Phoenix became the concrete block capital of the world, all due to a new product called Superlite. Efficient, lightweight and inexpensive, CMU made with Besser Block machines was used by local architects from Wright to Haver and Beadle. It has been estimated that 75% of Phoenix Metro's new building in this era was made of some form of CMU.

Join Wendell Burnette FAIA for a tour the plant where it all started and see how this material is manufactured and has changed over the years. Bus meets at northeast side of south parking lot at Phoenix College.

National Symposium attendees are invited for an evening lecture and tourof Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home Taliesin West. Architect and Docomomo US founding member, Gunny Harboe FAIA will provide guests with an overview of Taliesin West's recent preservation master plan and the evening will conclude with a very special sunset cocktail reception.

Unique to the 2017 Symposium is a full-day retreat to Arcosanti. This “urban laboratory” located in the desert north of Phoenix was the vision of Paolo Soleri, who was once a Frank Lloyd Wright fellow. Co-president Jeff Stein and others will lead guests thorough tours, lectures and discussions exploring the legacy and future of this experimental, utopian town and land preserve, what it is like to live and work at Arcosanti and what the vision is for the site in the future.

Use Phoenix's GRID bikeshare program to explore midcentury modern architecture with two experts from the Postwar Architecture Task Force of Greater Phoenix. We'll get you oriented to the smartphone-friendly bikeshare rental then take off for an 8 mile flat and casual ride through Phoenix's midtown midcentury marvels. Bring your camera! Host Derek Horn will also sign copies of his book Midtown Phoenix.

Tour Paolo Soleri's 1956 Cosanti arcology, led by Director of Paolo Soleri Studios Roger Tomalty. Then board the bus to Cave Creek for an intimate and exclusive tour of The Dome House, the subterranean home that Soleri and Mills built in the 1950s. 20% discount on all publications about or by Paolo Soleri purchased on day of tour. Transportation from midtown symposium hotel district is provided. Locals wishing to drive themselves may meet the tour group at Cosanti at 10:30 instead of boarding bus at midtown.

Join Phoenix's expert on midcentury banks for a tour of four former and active midcentury banks by Pereira & Luckman, Weaver & Drover, Al Beadle, and Frank Henry. See how an aggressive design-focused program of growth at midcentury resulted in spectacular examples of organic architecture and regional modernism. A light lunch will be provided by Postino Highland. Transportation from midtown symposium hotel district is provided.

Explore magnificently modern churches by Frank Lloyd Wright, Harold Wagoner, Wendell Rossman and T.S. Montgomery in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Styles range from organic architecture to concrete expressionism and space age. You'll also experience the artistry of spectacular faceted glass by Glassart Studio and famed NASA space concept artist Robert McCall. Transportation from midtown symposium hotel district is provided.

Al Beadle is best known for his Beadle Boxes, which are made of deceptively simple modular forms. Tour two of his iconic private homes, Executive Towers and The Triad, whis is the only Arts and Architecture Case Study home to be built outside of California (Case Study Apartments #1). Transportation from midtown symposium hotel district is provided.

Discover Phoenix's regional modern masters Ralph Haver, Fred Guirey, Frank Lloyd Wright and Mel Ensign on this bus tour guided by founder of Modern Phoenix, Alison King. Coffee and light fare will be provided by our host at Ralph Haver's Copenhagen in the morning, then we'll conclude with local farmer's market nosh at the Guirey House. Transportation from midtown symposium hotel district is provided.