On Friday, April 21, Ira Giller, FAIA, spoke at the Jewish Museum of Florida for the 16th World Congress on Art Deco lecture series.
In his lecture, Giller discusses the life and work of his father, Norman M. Giller, one of the founders of Miami Modern (MiMo), Miami’s regionalized style of Modernist architecture.
Giller traces the rise of MiMo architecture in the post-war period following the popularity of Art Deco, from 1945-1975.
Some of the key influences on MiMo were technological advances like the rise of the automobile and air conditioning.
Air conditioning revolutionized architecture in South Florida and automobiles allowed families to take long cross-country trips, which led to the rise of motels, like the ones in the historic MiMo district along Biscayne Boulevard.
As President of Giller and Giller — Architects and Construction Managers, Ira D. Giller has complete responsibility for the technical and administrative management of the firm.
He also serves as Principal-in-Charge for a variety of building types including public facilities, health care facilities, detention centers, educational facilities, housing, commercial centers, office buildings, and adaptive reuse/restoration projects.
The 16th World Congress on Art Deco was made possible with the support of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, the State of Florida, the International Coalition of Art Deco Societies, and the Art Deco Society of the Palm Beaches.
