Preserving the Future of the Past: George Smart’s Mission to Keep Modernist Architecture Alive

Miami Wire Contributor

By: Liam Hensley

When George Smart realized that the stunning Modernist houses dotting his native North Carolina were vanishing, he felt a sense of urgency. These weren’t just buildings; they were cultural statements, embodiments of a revolutionary idea in American design. “When I realized the older Modernist houses of amazing design, like the Catalano House in Raleigh, were being torn down or badly remodeled, and nobody was really keeping track of them, I stepped up,” Smart recalls. “Few were fighting for them the way people rallied around Victorian homes.”

That realization set him on a mission that would become his life’s work. Today, as the founder and CEO of USModernist, one of the largest nonprofit educational archives devoted to Modernist residential architecture. Smart is at the forefront of efforts to preserve, document, and celebrate this mid-century style. “These houses matter because they represent a revolutionary moment in American design,” he explains. “They showed that good design shouldn’t just be for the wealthy, that homes should work with their landscape instead of dominating it, and that they could be relaxing, inspiring spaces rather than just places to sleep.”

For Smart, each home tells a story about optimism and possibility. Modernism was not simply an aesthetic; it was a cultural philosophy that reflected a postwar confidence in progress. “They’re part of our cultural heritage, and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever,” he says.

Discovering Lost Legends

The work of USModernist began with a simple question: who designed these homes, and how many were still standing? Smart and his team started with the obvious names—Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, and the major figures of the mid-century era—but their research quickly revealed a much deeper and richer landscape.

“We started with Wright and worked our way through as many well-known architects as we could find, often drawn from our magazine library,” Smart explains. “Most of these, like Eduardo Catalano in North Carolina or Ed Fickett in California, were only well-known inside the architecture profession.”

What surprised him was the sheer scale of what they uncovered. “We had no idea there were this many Modernist houses out there,” he admits. “Our magazine archive—millions of pages—has revealed so many lost projects and unknown architects. And what really fascinates me is how many of these houses were designed for middle-class families, not just the wealthy. That was one of the goals of Modernism: affordable design.”

Challenging Misconceptions

Despite the movement’s cultural significance, Modernist design still battles misconceptions. “The big one is that Modernist houses are cold, sterile, or uncomfortable,” Smart says. “People see a flat roof and assume it leaks, or they see glass walls and think it’s a fishbowl with no privacy.”

He laughs at these assumptions, pointing out that Modernist architects were deeply thoughtful about how people actually lived in their spaces. “These houses were designed with incredible attention to comfort—proper orientation for sun and breezes, carefully placed windows for privacy, and natural materials that warm up the space. A great cure for a skeptic is to stay overnight in one. Once you experience the space, most objections just evaporate.”

In Smart’s view, Modernist homes were decades ahead of their time, incorporating principles of sustainability and biophilic design long before those concepts became mainstream. They emphasized efficiency, simplicity, and a sense of harmony with nature—all ideas that resonate strongly today.

The Digital Revolution of Preservation

If Modernism celebrated the future, it is fitting that technology has become a key ally in Smart’s preservation efforts. Digital archiving and social media have opened doors that were once unimaginable. “It’s been absolutely transformative,” he says. “Twenty years ago, reaching people meant lectures and newsletters. Now we can share a spectacular house in Seattle with someone in Florida instantly.”

USModernist’s digital archive provides researchers and enthusiasts access to rare materials that were previously housed in private collections or fragile print magazines.. “Social media has built this incredible community of Modernist enthusiasts who share discoveries, restoration tips, and support each other,” Smart explains. “The flip side is that we’re racing against time—digitizing these old magazines and archives before they deteriorate. But technology has let us preserve and share this material in ways we never could have imagined.”

Through this global accessibility, Modernist architecture has found new life among younger generations who may never have set foot in a mid-century home. The digital community, Smart says, is part of what keeps the movement alive and evolving.

Advice for the Next Generation of Stewards

Smart’s passion extends beyond archiving; it’s about empowering homeowners and communities to take preservation into their own hands. His advice is both practical and heartfelt. “First, find out who designed and built your house,” he urges. “We can help with that research. Don’t assume something needs to be updated—often the original design was smarter than what you’ll replace it with.”

He also emphasizes the importance of community and connection. “There are Modernist groups all over the country now. You’re not alone, and there are people who’ve solved the same problems you’re facing,” he says. “Embrace what makes these houses special instead of fighting it. Work with the design, not against it.”

Above all, Smart believes that sharing these spaces is essential. “Host a tour, post photos, tell the story,” he says. “These houses were meant to be enjoyed and celebrated, not hidden away. The more people understand why they matter, the more likely they’ll be preserved for future generations.”

For George Smart, the preservation of Modernist architecture is not nostalgia—it’s stewardship. “We’re not just saving buildings,” he says. “We’re saving the ideas that shaped them: creativity, accessibility, and harmony with the world around us.”

In a time when so much of the past is being erased by progress, Smart’s mission reminds us that innovation itself has a history worth protecting.

USModernist House and Architect Archives, www.usmodernist.org/masters