Founded in 1996, Docomomo Northern California is a chapter of Docomomo US—a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting and conserving the Modern Movement's buildings, sites, and neighborhoods.
Tour Day is the only national program of its kind, devoted to the appreciation of modern architecture in the United States. Tours and events focused on Modern Movement buildings and landscapes are hosted throughout October by Docomomo US chapters, partners, and local preservation advocates across the country.
The Northern California (NOCA) Chapter of Docomomo US is pleased to announce Luke Leuschner as the recipient of the 2025 Docomomo US/NOCA Symposium Travel Grant.
On November 8th, we were graced with beautiful East Bay sun during a perfect Bay Area autumn. The tour was led by Camila Baum board member of the Northern California chapter. There were five stops on this walking tour, we learned about Roger's early life, family life, career; and intersections of racial segregation and municipal zoning within the city of Berkeley. Thank you to all who attended, we loved sharing the life and legacy of Roger Lee, FAIA.
Docomomo US announces 18 recipients of the 2025 Modernism in America Awards. Now in its 12th year, the Awards celebrate the documentation, preservation and reuse of Modern buildings, structures and landscapes built in the United States or on U.S. territory and recognize building owners, design teams, individuals, and preservation organizations that have made significant efforts to retain, restore, and advocate for the aesthetic and cultural value of such places.
In a much anticipated decision, the San Francisco Planning Department reviewed the independently produced Historic Resource Review (HRR) of the Vaillancourt Fountain and concurred that the Fountain is a historic resource.
"Planning staff concurs that the Vaillancourt [Fountain] retains integrity and is a historic resource individually eligible for the National Register and CRHR [California Register] under Criterion 1 [Events] and 3 [Architecture], and as a contributing landscape feature of the Better Market Street Cultural District."
The fountain’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR) triggers a mandatory review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a state law designed to protect historic and environmental treasures from destruction without public input and consideration of alternatives.