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An abandoned bank in downtown Santa Rosa. Photo ©Darren Bradley Mid-Century Modernist architecture is far from safe these days. But there’s a growing contingent supporting its preservation, and it’s now finally starting to at least be recognized - if not valued - by the public at large. The same cannot yet be said for its generally unloved - or at least under-appreciated - younger sibling, Late Modernism. Often confused with (*shudder*) Post-Modernist architecture, which admittedly overlaps it a bit, it’s nonetheless it’s own distinct genre, and one that is more firmly planted in the Modernist design philosophies that preceded it than in the post-Modernist follies that followed. And strange as it may seem, I’ve just discovered that one of the best places to experience this type of architecture is in Santa Rosa, in the heart of Sonoma County.  Late Modernists loved their chunky, cantilevered terraces. Photo ©Darren Bradley One of the things that fascinates me most about architecture...

The former restaurant of what was once May Co. department store at Mission Valley Center. Photo ©Darren Bradley Anyone who's ever spent any time in San Diego will probably recognize this place. It's hard to miss. This Macy's department store at Mission Valley Center is strikingly clad entirely in formed concrete hexagons around its entire exterior. Even cooler, there's a cantilevered glass box attached to the south side, closest to the freeway, with a great bi-fold roof. The building has anchored Mission Valley Center since 1961, and it's become a landmark in the city. But with Macy's closing, its days may now be numbered...  The east side of the Mission Valley Macy's, looking south. Photo ©Darren Bradley With Macy's suffering like so many department stores and shopping malls around the country in the internet age, they've decided to close 68 stores around the country. This is one of them. Macy's have sold the building to Westfield, who own the ...