Join us for an inspiring evening of design, history, and storytelling, hosted by the Committee on Design. Enjoy light refreshments while connecting with colleagues and exploring one of the most fascinating eras in American architecture.
Program Overview
Spanning the period from the aftermath of the Civil War to the onset of the Great Depression, the Gilded Age was marked by rapid economic growth, cultural transformation, and extraordinary displays of wealth. America’s newly wealthy elite sought to assert their place in society by building grand residences inspired by European palaces—blending Old World elegance with American innovation and modern technology.
Drawing on unprecedented access to fifteen of the most remarkable private homes in the United States, presenter, Phillip James Dodd brings this era to life through the stories behind these extraordinary estates. The presentation explores not only their architectural significance, but also the compelling lives of those who built, designed, and inhabited them—figures ranging from industrial magnates and social elites to artists and visionaries.
From ambition and opulence to philanthropy, scandal, and tragedy, this program offers a vivid look at how architecture reflects the cultural and social dynamics of its time.
Submitted for AIA Continuing Education Credits – 1 LU|Elective
Phillip is a bestselling author, award winning designer, and international speaker. He has been described by Julian Fellowes as the leading expert on the architecture of The Gild Age. Phillip has presented extensively throughout the United States on the subject and has appeared on C-Span and their American History TV series. In 2023 he gave the prestigious John G. Winslow Presentation from inside the great hall of The Breakers for the Historic Preservation Society of Newport County, and was engaged by Cunard as one of their Guest Insight Program Speakers - where each year he gives a series of talks onboard The Queen Mary 2.
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Phillip is an alumnus of the Prince of Wales’ Institute of Architecture in London. He moved to America more than twenty years ago, and after training with some of the most recognized classical architecture firms in the country founded his eponymous design firm in 2015. Phillip’s designs can be found in New York, Greenwich, The Hudson Valley, Palm Beach, and as far as away as Bangalore, India. He is the recipient of the Elizabeth L. and John H. Schuler Architectural Award, as well as the Addison Mizner Award for Excellence in Classical and Traditional Architectural Design.
Phillip has a Masters in architecture from the University of Notre Dame, and an undergraduate Degree in Architecture from the Manchester School of Architecture. He is a Fellow Emeritus of The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. In 2013 Phillip was elected by his peers as an Honorary Fellow of the INTBAU College of Traditional Practitioners, an invited international body for practitioners in traditional architecture, under the auspices of the former Prince of Wales (now King Charles III).
Phillip is the author of several best-selling books, the most recent of which was An American Renaissance: Beaux-Arts Architecture on New York City (2021) – which includes a foreword by the afore-mentioned Julian Fellowes (the acclaimed creator of Downton Abbey and the HBO series The Gilded Age). He has been featured in Architectural Digest, The Associated Press, The New Criterion and World of Interiors. He is currently working on a new book with photographer Jonathan Wallen, due to be released in the Spring 2027, on the Mansions of The Gilded Age.
Doors open 5:00pm
Program begins 5:30pm
(light refreshments provided)
Disclaimer:
Please note that AIA Connecticut has an In-Person Visitor and Event Attendance Policy that you should review prior to the event.
Please notify the AIA Connecticut Staff Events Team of any cancellation or substitution. Refunds are only available two weeks prior to the event (June 11, 2026). Any cancellations after June 11 will not be given a refund. Substitutions will only be allowed up until June 22, 2026.
AIA Connecticut reserves the right to amend, modify, or otherwise revise the Refund/Cancellation and the Disclaimer policy in accordance with applicable federal or state guidelines.
