In anticipation of next week’s AIA National Convention to be held in Miami, FL, we spoke with Saxon Henry, the author of Four Florida Moderns, a new book that highlights the work of architects Alberto Alfonso, René González, Chad Oppenheim and Guy Peterson. The book discusses how European modernism traveled to the US and down into Florida, and how these architects have melded it into a vernacular fitting for the tropics.

Two properties featured in the book, Chad Oppenheim’s Villa Allegra and Rene Gonzalez’ new work in Indian Creek, will be a part of the AIA Educational Tour Miami Modern Homes: Contemporary Expressions on Thursday, 1:15- 4:45PM during the convention.

What inspired you to look at modern architecture in Florida?
It was clearly time to do a survey of some of the most successful modernists practicing in Florida, as other vernaculars had been covered in print extensively while the current modern milieu had received almost no attention. It was as if once architecture in Florida reached The Sarasota School, nothing else was being considered beyond that era. I’ve had many people tell me that a book about modernism in Florida was long overdue.

Alberto Alfonso: Airside C at the Tampa Airport

Were there any other regions that you considered?
Since I’ve been based in Miami for the past five years, Florida was a natural first step because I had covered architecture in the state as a journalist for various magazines and newspapers. One of the ideas discussed early on with W. W. Norton & Company, who published the book, was that this could be the beginning of a series of books about modern architecture in a variety of locales around the United States.

Guy Peterson: Revere Quality House

When putting the book together, were there any unexpected discoveries or points of inspiration?
My favorite part, and the most inspiring for me, was pulling together the process interviews because I love to read about how people sustain creativity. These architects impressed me so much with the breadth of their inspirations — from traveling and reading to painting and music. This, I believe, is one of the least talked-about aspects of the life of a talented architect.

Rene Gonzalez: Indian Creek House

Why do you think the European influence is so strong in modernism in Florida?
One of the reasons is the influence of the modernists who came before them, several of whom were professors at the University of Florida School of Architecture where three of the architects received their undergraduate degrees. Many of the studio classes at the University were (and still are) led by modern architects, like the late Charles Gwathmey who was one of The New York Five and a mentor to Alberto Alfonso.

Chad Oppenheim: Villa Allegra

The graduate school at the University has very strong modernist leanings and I know other architects practicing in Florida who have been influenced by the school’s curriculum. That said, it’s broader than the influence of one institution. Rene Gonzalez studied under Richard Meier at UCLA and worked with Mark Hampton—one of The Sarasota School greats; and Chad Oppenheim’s legacy trickled down from The Texas Rangers during his education at Cornell and from Peter Eisenman — another of The New York Five — when he was a younger student. Guy Peterson grew up in Sarasota, surrounded by the architecture of those storied modern architects who brought a tropical modernism to the state during the 1940′s, 50′s and 60′s.

by Jean Lin