Grandiose windows, clean lines and smooth transitions were only a few characteristics of the modern architecture movement. Architect William F. Cody, known for his unique mix of styles, helped shape the movement through his radical architectural work in Palm Springs, California. during the late 1940s-70s.

Last Thursday night, students and faculty met at the Hunt Library auditorium to watch a screening of “Desert Maverick: The Singular Architecture of William F. Cody,” a documentary film exploring Cody’s architectural success.

The film screening of was part of the MoHo Realty Architecture Movie Series, which was has brought attention to the wonders of architecture through showings of popular architectural films. This year, the movie series will be based on Palm Springs architecture. “Desert Maverick” was played in honor of Palm Springs’ Modernism Week.

Greg Raschke, associate director for collections and scholarly communication at Hunt Library, notes that all students should take the time to appreciate the world of architecture.

“It’s always fun and interesting,” Raschke said. “It’s not something you’re going to get anywhere else. Architecture is a universal language. Everyone can appreciate the design and the environment you’re in. Our environment around us influences our everyday life.”

The North Carolina Modernist Houses Group started the architectural film series seven years ago, in a local movie theater. The group picks a theme each year, and films are chosen accordingly. Since the theater was closed down, the nonprofit organization opted to screen their films in Hunt Library, due to its architectural impressiveness and its extensive archives.

“We have the largest archive in the southeast of modernist architectural work, along with unique modernist drawings and photos,” Raschke said. “The Triangle has the third largest concentration of modernist work in the country.”

Filmmaker Leo Zahn was perplexed as to why Cody is not more recognized for his work as a modernist architect. This wonder lead to his creation of “Desert Maverick.” The 2016 documentary depicted Cody as one who did not follow the known path to success, but rather created his own through his eccentric designs.

“Desert Maverick” exemplifies that Cody’s work was unique among other modernist architects, as his designs did not fall solely under one style; this is a possible reason for his lack of recognition, as many other architects are clearly associated with a particular type of design.

 George Smart, chair and executive director of Triangle Modernist Archive, Inc. and host to North Carolina Modernist Houses, has helped make the movie series a success.

“Our goal is to connect more people,” Smart said. “Students love mid-century design, and they love modern design.”

The North Carolina Modernist Houses Group sponsors many additional events in attempt to connect the community with architecture.

“We do about 30 events a year,” Smart said. “We have a party every month, movies during the winter, state and national tours and architecture competitions. We do a lot.” 

“Desert Maverick” brought attention to Cody’s designs, which have been widely underestimated over the years. The film featured many examples of his modernist work, which shaped architecture in Palm Springs. The film depicted just how dedicated Cody was to his work, and how his clean designs helped define modernism.

The North Carolina Modernist Houses Group shows five films each year, with each showing averaging about 150 attendees. The group boasts several thousand members, who make up part of the audience alongside students, NC State faculty and community members alike.

Even if architecture is not one’s primary area of study, the MoHo Realty Architecture Movie Series offers the audience a chance to analyze one’s surroundings. “Desert Maverick” was a success in that it prompted the audience to open their eyes to the beauty that is architecture.