George Smart

Modernist Architecture Preservation Advocate; CEO of USModernist; Host of "USModernist Radio"; Honorary AIA

Durham, NC, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info
Architecture, Architecture, Art & Design, Creativity, Culture, Engineering, History, Real Estate
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George Smart Biography

George Smart is an advocate for Modernist architecture preservation and the founder and CEO of USModernist, recognized as the world's largest nonprofit educational archive dedicated to the documentation, preservation, and promotion of Modernist residential design. Smart, known nationally as Mr. Modernism, spent nearly three decades as a management consultant for major corporations before a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater inspired a new direction. This experience led to the creation of a website, which evolved into a community and ultimately a nationally recognized nonprofit organization. Smart also founded NCModernist, a companion organization focused on preserving the legacy of Modernist homes in North Carolina, a state noted for its concentration of mid-century Modernist architecture influenced by NC State's School of Design.

Under Smart's leadership, USModernist's team has documented more than 140 major 20th-century architects, researched over 25,000 Modernist houses, and scanned more than 5 million pages of architecture magazines dating back to the late 19th century. These resources are freely available to the public in searchable, downloadable form. The organization has received 20 honors for leadership in preservation, including national AIA Institute Honors for Collaborative and Professional Achievement. Smart holds an Honorary AIA designation from the American Institute of Architects, a distinction for someone who is not a licensed architect. His approach to proactive documentation—identifying endangered homes as soon as they become vacant—has helped prevent the demolition of many Modernist houses.

Smart is also the host of "USModernist Radio," a weekly podcast named by DWELL magazine as a top architecture and design podcast. He has led more than 430 episodes and interviewed over 750 guests in architecture and design. His talk, "The Accidental Archivist," has been presented at events including AIA National Conferences, Modernism Week, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, NY School of Interior Design, and the Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture. Through his work, Smart communicates the importance of Modernist preservation to architects, preservationists, real estate professionals, and design enthusiasts, emphasizing that preservation begins with awareness of a building's location and significance.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/03/2026.

George Smart Speaking Topics

  • The Accidental Archivist: Modernist Architecture in America

    America's mid-century Modernist architects and their original clients are almost all dead; their houses have been sold several times; and the local real estate community would just as soon tear down the properties as find new, caring owners.

    Despite many Modernist houses aging over the 50-year mark, city councils and preservation groups have a hard time considering Modernist houses to be historic

    • because 50 years later many still look like the future. With bulldozers continuing to destroy mid-century Modernist houses (like Marcel Breuer’s Geller House in 2022), these livable works of art continue to be threatened by rising land prices and disinterested heirs. Preservation is more important than ever, but you can’t save something if you don’t know where it is and why it is important. If you’re a Modernist fan in many towns and smaller cities, you may have asked: hasn't somebody documented the Modernist houses? Surely some architect or preservation society or library has a list? Likely, no.

    George shares the story of how an energetic and dedicated team of volunteers documented thousands of Modernist houses across America. Audiences learn basic principles of Modernist design, why preservation is important to our communities, and how easy it is to start a documentation and preservation effort of their own

    • with nothing more than a car, a cell phone, and a laptop.

    For anyone who loves good design, this is an informative and fun conversation. George delivers keynotes, and is also available for panels as participant or moderator.

    Participants will:

    • learn how thousands of significant Modernist houses were documented and made available to the public online, many for the first time.
    • identify the beginnings of residential Modernist design as part of a national movement.
    • learn key differences between Modernist and contemporary architecture.
    • learn the key architects and influencers in national Modernism.
    • learn marketing methods to preserve mid-century Modernist houses through preservation, occupancy, and sustainable development strategies.
    • discover how documenting, preserving, and promoting residential Modernist design benefits the architecture and construction industries.
    • learn key differences between selling a traditional house and selling a Modernist house.
    • gain access to a digital archive of over 30,000 photos of over 20,000 Modernist houses, along with profiles on 400+ architects.
    • learn how USModernist became the country's largest open digital archive for Modernist houses and a recognized leader in Modernist preservation with 18 local, state, and national awards.

George Smart Videos

George Smart Speaker Reel

George Smart Speaker Reel

Book George Smart for your next event!

George Smart – Preserving Modernist Architecture

George Smart – Preserving Modernist Architecture

Modernist architecture snuck into the public view with homes, commercial buildings, and museums, the most famous of all being Fallingwater. Although...

Saving Modern American Architecture with US Modernist - George ...

Saving Modern American Architecture with US Modernist - George ...

George Smart is an archivist with a passion for Modernist design and architecture. He is also the Executive Director of US Modernist and North...

See All Videos »

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  • What topics does George Smart speak about?

    George Smart is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Architecture, Architecture, Art & Design, Creativity, Culture, Engineering, History, Real Estate

  • Where does George Smart travel from?

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George Smart is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The Accidental Archivist: Modernist Architecture in America. The estimated speaking fee range to book George Smart for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. George Smart generally travels from Durham, NC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Douglas Farr, Deanna Van Buren, Lori Cheek, Kate Orff and George Elvin. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling George Smart for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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