FROM INSPIRATION TO INNOVATION
Four Contemporary Masters Shaping the Future of Desert Modern Architecture
Watch contemporary master architects Barbara Bestor, Sean Lockyer, Leo Marmol and Lance O’Donnell discuss how desert modern architecture influenced their work and where it’s headed in this Modernism Week 2026 presentation. Julie Makinen, former editor-in-chief of The Desert Sun, hosted a moderated discussion and took questions from the audience.
BARBARA BESTOR, FAIA, WBE
Barbara Bestor is the principal of Bestor Architecture, founded in 1995 in Los Angeles. Her work includes headquarters for Nike, Beats By Dre and Snap, Inc., as well as Blackbirds, a small lot housing complex. She has worked on the revitalization of multiple mid-century icons including Silvertop, originally designed by John Lautner, the Toro Canyon House in Santa Barbara County, the revitalized ICA LA and the new Summaeverythang Community Center in South Los Angeles. She was elected to the AIA's College of Fellows in 2017.
SEAN LOCKYER, AIA
Sean Lockyer is the founding principal and lead architect of Studio AR&D Architects. From the outset, his vision has centered on the thoughtful integration of architecture and landscape, an approach rooted in craftsmanship and a deep respect for context. Under his direction, the firm has developed a distinct body of work that explores the poetic relationship between space, material and the natural environment. Sean is particularly interested in how materials and form shape our daily experiences and emotional connection to place. Equally at home in the design studio and on the job site, Sean is hands-on throughout the building process, working closely with contractors and artisans to bring each project to life with care and precision.
LEO MARMOL, FAIA
Leo Marmol is co-founder of the architect-led design-build practice Marmol Radziner, launched in 1989 with Ron Radziner, FAIA. Leo lectures widely on the topics of architecture and restoration and organizes architectural tours in Southern California to highlight the region’s wealth of mid-century Modernist landmarks. Leo helped coordinate the teams that worked on the reconstruction of Aluminaire House, Albert Frey and A. Lawrence Kocher’s iconic all-metal prototype home from 1931. Upon its completion in February 2024, Aluminaire House became a part of the Palm Springs Art Museum’s permanent exhibition, and in September 2024, the project was awarded an Advocacy Citation of Merit by Docomomo.
LANCE O'DONNELL, AIA
Architect and educator Lance O’Donnell has a deep-rooted connection to the cultural, ecological and architectural landscape of the Coachella Valley. Growing up in the desert shaped his understanding of place, inspiring a career dedicated to designing spaces that engage the senses and intellect. After earning his Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and his Master of Architecture degree from UCLA, he returned home in 1994 to hone his craft. As the founder of o2 Architecture in Palm Springs, Lance approaches design as a dialogue between environment and site, emphasizing sustainable approaches to modern design reinforcing the essence of place. His work, recognized with numerous AIA and Concrete Masonry Awards, contributes to the evolving architectural narrative of Palm Springs, balancing innovation with a deep respect for regional identity. Lance is also committed to architectural education. Since teaching his first design studio at Cal Poly Pomona in 1997, he has remained actively engaged with the Architecture Department, fostering critical thinking and creative exploration in future architects.
This program was presented by Preservation Mirage and the City of Rancho Mirage, both official sponsors of Modernism Week.
