Part of the Architecture + the City Festival, in partnership with Center for Architecture + Design, this panel provides a comprehensive exploration of how San Francisco’s architectural evolution exemplifies modern design principles while addressing contemporary urban challenges, creating meaningful dialogue between historical precedent and future innovation.

Speakers include Adam Greenspan, PWP Landscape Architecture, Chris Orsega, Gensler, Barbara Shands, shands studio architecture, and Katie Conry, Tenderloin Museum Executive Director. Moderated by Kevin Souza, Docomomo Northern California Board member.

I am writing a comprehensive biography of William Alexander (born Alexander Levy), a visionary whose unique and significant contributions to architecture, furniture design, and the arts left a lasting imprint on the Modernist Movement and the broader cultural landscape. As a gay man, Alexander's identity and experiences shaped both his journey and his creative vision, influencing the relationships he formed and the artistic networks he fostered. This project aims to illuminate Alexander's creative legacy and personal story, exploring his architectural works, his influential role as a patron and supporter of the arts, and how his life as a gay man informed his work and community.

It all begins with an idea.