FSDA’s 2026-2027 Lecture Series

The Friends of San Diego Architecture presents inspiring lectures on architecture, design, and the built environment by speakers who stimulate thoughtful, community-centered discussions. After more than 40 years, the conversations continue.

Join Us for a New Series of Programs Celebrating Our Region’s Legacy as a World Design Capital!

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The Distinct Modernism of San Diego

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The Wednesday Club (1911), 540 Ivy Lane, San Diego, designed by Hazel Wood Waterman
(Photo: Andreas Koester)

A Lecture and Book Signing
with
Rev. Dr. Mark Hargreaves

Saturday, November 21, 2026, 10:00 AM

San Diego History Center
Casa de Balboa
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park

San Diego’s contribution to the story of Californian Modernism has been sadly neglected. This lecture corrects that oversight by examining the work of several key architects. The architects who will be discussed were born and raised in San Diego or spent their careers in the city. These figures include Irving J. Gill, Hazel Waterman, Lloyd Ruocco, Sim Bruce Richards, Cliff May, and Kendrick Bangs Kellogg. An examination of their work reveals that a distinct modernism emerged in San Diego which was shaped by the legacy of Gill.

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(Photo: Walter DuMelle)

Rev. Dr. Mark Hargreaves is the Rector of St James by-the-Sea in La Jolla. He came to San Diego from London where he was a Rector in Notting Hill for nearly 20 years. He did his undergraduate studies at Oxford University and then completed a PhD at Cambridge University. He has a master’s degree in “Christianity and the Arts” from the National Gallery and King’s College in London. The Distinct Modernism of San Diego, with co-author Haillie Swenson, is his second book. His first was The Sacred Architecture of Irving J. Gill (2023). The lecture will be followed by a book signing.

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The Babcock House (1957), 2694 Bayside Walk, Mission Beach, designed by Ken Kellogg
(Photo: Andreas Koester)

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PLEASE NOTE:
Our FSDA programs are being presented in a new location, the San Diego History Center.
Refreshments 10:00–10:30, program 10:30–11:30
Admission to the museum is free but donations to SDHC are welcomed.
A $5 donation to FSDA is requested.
For current parking information, see: Parking Information for Balboa Park.

Friends of San Diego Architecture Image Library – Featured Gallery

Over two decades ago, the Friends of San Diego Architecture sponsored an early effort to help develop solutions for the state’s housing shortage. In 2004, FSDA held an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Competition for California architecture and design students and professional architects and designers. There were a total of 56 entries. One goal of the competition was to convince the public that “granny flats” could be built on the average San Diego lot of 5000 sq. ft. Another goal was to offer innovative and creative designs to complement main dwellings. This rotating gallery shows some of the most intriguing entries from that competition, our Inspiring ADU Designs


You are invited to visit the full gallery of the ADU Competition entries at ADU Designs.

Friends of San Diego Architecture Video Archive


Check out our videos:   If you missed one of our lectures, you now have a chance to review the complete list here.

The Latest video now available:

September 19, 2026: Vicki Estrada, Howard Blackson, and Andy Kopp: Balboa Park Master Plan Update – A Community Forum

 

FSDA Lectures

Explore San Diego with us during our current lecture series.Read more…

FSDA Videos

Starting in 2017, FSDA has made video recordings of many of our lectures. If you missed a lecture, you can view it here.

FSDA Image Library

Our online library features more than 10,000 images from the Ned Paynter Collection and has added many other smaller collections. View them here.