Design Agendas

Design Agendas: Modern Architecture in St. Louis, 1930s-1970s offers an in-depth analysis of the complex connections between modern architecture, urban renewal, and racial and spatial changes in St. Louis. This publication includes essays by renowned architects and scholars that illuminate the works of Charles E. Fleming, R. Buckminster Fuller, Eric Mendelsohn, and Gyo Obata. Edited by Eric P. Mumford, a recognized architectural historian, it examines the context of urban development in St. Louis during the mid-20th century, including the impacts of the New Deal, the Great Migration, and the Civil Rights Movement. The architectural works discussed were created during a time marked by de facto racial segregation and reflect the often problematic approaches of modern urban planning. This publication contributes to the growing literature on modern architecture in St. Louis and provides valuable insights into the social and architectural challenges of this era.

• Includes essays by leading architects and scholars
• Examines the impact of modern architecture on urban development
• Highlights the role of segregation in urban planning
• Analyzes significant projects such as the Pruitt-Igoe housing project
• Contributes to the discussion on social organization and architecture.