I've just returned from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where architects and designers are gearing up for three important events celebrating the design arts of the American Southwest. Combining Native American traditions with the eclectic ideas of many settlers, Santa Fe has a long history of innovative design. The upcoming conferences – all held in late June – encompass architecture, interior design, landscape design, decorative arts, fashion, graphic arts, and urban planning.

June 19 - 26: Santa Fe Design Week.
Workshops, house tours, discussions, and presentations covering topics such as sustainable landscape design, healthy home design, "ecoversity," and feng shui.

June 19 - 26: Green Design Santa Fe.
Green Design Santa Fe is a conference within the conference. More than half of the 50+ events Santa Fe's celebration of southwestern arts will touch on some aspect of energy-efficient, earth-friendly, sustainable design.

June 24 to 26: Southwest Design Conference, hosted by Western Interiors and Design magazine.
Lecture topics include Western Modernism, Santa Fe design, and porphyry (a type of volcanic, igneous rock used for pavement and rustic exteriors). One-of-a-kind, handcrafted furniture, fashion, jewelry, and decorative objects will be the focus of a three-day exhibition and sale.