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

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 11/04/2026.

George Smart Speaking Topics

  • The Accidental Archivist: Preserving America's Legacy of Mid-Century Modernist Houses

    Takeaways:

    • Origins and significance of Modernist architecture and why it deserves preservation.

    • Building public support around preservation efforts, making architecture fun and comprehensible.

    • Failures in mid-century Modernist preservation, or, what not to do.

    • How USModernist documented over 23,000 Modernist houses and created an extensive digital archive.

  • Marketing Modernism: Selling 20th Century Preservation to a 21st Century Audience

    Takeaways:

    • Transforming public interest in preservation from digital preservation.

    • Effective marketing strategies to preserve and promote mid-century Modernist houses.

    • Unique considerations and optics to sell a Modernist property versus a traditional house.

    • Useful digital tools and strategies for building a community digital archive or preservation initiative.

    • Innovative use of archives, social media, and online resources to promote Modernist design to the public and architects.

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George Smart Videos

George Smart Speaker Reel

George Smart Speaker Reel

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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...

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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?

    George Smart generally travels from Durham, NC, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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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: Preserving America's Legacy of Mid-Century Modernist Houses, Marketing Modernism: Selling 20th Century Preservation to a 21st Century Audience and Mayberry Modernism: Preserving North Carolina’s Legacy of Mid-Century Modernist Houses. 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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