Thank you to our host SmithGroup for providing the space for our 2026 Design Film Series.

“Arthur Elrod: Desert Cool” examines the life and untimely death of the influential Palm Springs interior designer whose work matched the sophisticated midcentury modern architecture rising in the desert and whose own home by architect John Lautner was immortalized in the Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever.

SDAF’s quarterly film series showcases outstanding architecture and design documentaries from around the world, giving members and the public a chance to discover new perspectives and revisit celebrated favorites. With “design” as the unifying thread, the program spans an eclectic range of topics—from green living concepts to explorations of furniture making, interiors, food, photography, landscape architecture, material sourcing, and even airstream trailer design. The screenings offer a relaxed, creative environment where attendees can sketch, socialize, and immerse themselves in fresh ideas that expand their sense of what design can be.