AIA/LA News
Los Angeles Citywide Design Guidelines
September 1, 2010
On August 31st, I attended a public meeting at City Hall, where The Los Angeles Department of City Planning announced their request to receive input and feedback on draft citywide design guidelines. Although the guidelines are not construed to be mandatory, they will help the City establish a precedent for design excellence. The guidelines, if used effectively, can serve as a community-based tool to help shape the design process by focusing the dialogue around certain urban design principals.
The Department of Energy requested our assistance
August 30, 2010
During the BEC Chairs meeting in April 2010 the Department of Energy requested our assistance to identify areas of research that we believe would be beneficial to the design and construction industry and applicable to specific areas of the country. We are asking all BEC Chairs to pole their membership and other contacts for issues that they would like more research data or direction. Please keep these focused around areas where the DOE has interest (building envelope, energy efficiency, durability, tools, etc.).
This is our opportunity to influence the direction of research and gain more assurance for what we do.
In Memoriam: Cornelius Michael Deasy, FAIA
August 30, 2010
Cornelius Michael (Neil) Deasy, 92, died in his sleep at his home in San Luis Obispo on August 14, 2010. His three daughters were with him when he passed away. His wife had died in 2008, the 67th year of their marriage.
The Accomplishments of Former Planning Director Gail Goldberg and the Los Angeles Department of City Planning
August 26, 2010
- Began the creation of "real" plans. Meaningful, detailed Community Plans will provide developers and communities with certainty about the future of their neighborhoods, reducing project-by-project battles over every development. New plans will result in fewer deviations and entitlement requests, and, therefore, less casework, more by-right development, and a clearer vision and direction for communities. As a result, the new plans will create greater certainty for developers and community members alike. They will also include an Environmental Impact Report and all the necessary zoning and implementation measures to carry out the plan, further reducing the need for costly and time-consuming work for each project. This program and the department reorganization are the two essential foundations for assuring positive change in the planning and development process in Los Angeles.
AIA|LA Editorial: No Consequential Damages Clauses as a Defense
August 25, 2010
More often, owners are looking to recover lost profits, delay costs, and diminution in value from design professionals. Consequential damages such as these do not follow immediately from a breach of contract; rather, they are the consequences of the breach. But to be recoverable, consequential damages must be contemplated by the parties at the time of contracting. By inserting a “no consequential damages” clause into the contract, a design professional may protect themselves by demonstrating that the parties contemplated the risks and have agreed to allocate the risks away from the design professional.
In Memoriam: Leroy Miller, FAIA
August 25, 2010
Leroy Miller, FAIA, 78, died of respiratory failure Friday, August 20, at his home in Santa Monica, his family said.
In Memoriam: Elaine Jones, Hon. AIA/LA
August 20, 2010
AIA Los Angeles is saddened to announce that Elaine Kollins Sewell Jones, Hon. AIA/LA, public relations counselor and communication specialist, and widow of architect A. Quincy Jones, has passed away at the age of 92.
Chasing Contemporary Architecture for the 2010 Design Awards Party
August 18, 2010
AIA|LA aims to promote innovative design to its members and friends at large. For this reason, AIA|LA is hosting the 2010 Design Awards Reception and Program at the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Pavilion, a new addition to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
2010 Fall Home Tour Series reveals treasures hidden in the Hills.
August 18, 2010
One of the luxuries of being an Angelino is enjoying the geographic diversity in the Los Angeles region. From ocean to valley to urban sprawl, Los Angeles offers its population any number of excellent locations to live, work and leisure. Perhaps most representative of the glamorous LA lifestyle is the Hills, bordering the northern part of the city.
Get to know ClearEdge|Power: the proud sponsor for the 2010 Design Awards Exhibit Reception
August 18, 2010
Get to know ClearEdge|Power: the proud sponsor for the 2010 Design Awards Exhibit Reception
In Memoriam: John Leighton Chase, Associate AIA Member passes away.
August 16, 2010
It is with deepest regret and sympathy that we share with you the news that John Leighton Chase, long time Associate AIA member and friend, passed away early morning on Friday, August 13. He was 57 years old.
AIA|LA & LAUSD: Working Together to Build Better Communities
August 13, 2010
August 9, 2010 - AIA|LA & LAUSD: Working Together to Build Better Communities
AIA|LA & LADBS: Implementing CALGreen for the City of Los Angeles
August 13, 2010
On Thursday, August 12th AIA|LA members Stuart Magruder, Jim Dixon and Tracy Stone discussed ideas and opportunities for what it would take to encourage new construction projects to go 15% beyond TITLE-24 requirements. Together with LADBS management and representatives from Turner Construction, Clark Construction, Gensler and AC Martin, AIA|LA is exploring ways to incentivize the use of sustainable building materials.
AIA|LA & LAUSD: Working Together to Build Better Communities
August 11, 2010
On Monday, August 9th AIA|LA launched the first in a series of monthly meetings with senior management at Los Angeles Unified School District. It was an excellent meeting with plenty of passion and energy, optimistic with the opportunity to work together and to establish a systematic dialogue to help facilitate meaningful exchange between the architecture profession and the leadership team of the LAUSD Facilities Division.
AIA|LA & LAUSD - Design Excellence Promotes Academic Success
August 11, 2010
The following summaries of research linking school facilities to academic success with the specific hard data on each of them. This was prepared by Greg Stack, Principal K-12 Thought Leader from our firm. Please note that exact titles of the studies were not always used for the sake of brevity. They can all be found in the enclosed studies themselves.
AIA|LA meets with Assembly Member Kevin DeLeon
August 9, 2010
On Friday, August 6, AIA members Michael Pinto and Travis Frankel joined me in a meeting with Assembly Member Kevin de León and his District Director Steve Veres.
Essentially, we were there to introduce Kevin de León to the leadership resources of AIA|LA and to hear what's on his mind and discuss ideas for how we can help advance his key initiatives. We were also there on behalf of the profession to advocate the need for the State to allow municipalities and other public agencies the same degree of flexibility as the private-sector in selecting capital improvement project delivery methods that best suit the needs for each particular project, as opposed to always relying on either Design-Bid-Build or Design-Build for all of them
Questions for the Future of L.A. City Planning Panel
August 6, 2010
On August 4, 2010 an esteemed group of planning and urban design professionals got together to discuss possible directions for the future of Los Angeles City Planning. Moderator Michael Woo asked the following questions and spurred an excellent dialogue about the value and importance of City Planning.
For those that were unable to attend, here are those questions. Please feel free to propel further dialogue
AIA|LA Government and Public Affairs Updates
August 6, 2010
This page provides updates on the AIA|LA Government and Public Affairs.
AIA|LA Launches Two New Programs to Help Improve the Built Environment
August 3, 2010
AIA|LA is currently building a task-force of local architects and urban designers who will provide critical insight and feedback to public agencies through one of two pilot programs launching in August 2010. The goal of both of these programs is to give architects the opportunity to serve their community and help shape the dialogue around such issues as: urban design; contracting reform; the selection process; masterplanning initiatives; design competitions; project delivery methods; peer-review & design review sessions
AIA Los Angeles Announces The 2010 Presidential Honorees
July 30, 2010
LOS ANGELES, CA (July 29, 2010)** – AIA Los Angeles (AIA|LA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2010 Presidential Awards. The Honorees will be celebrated together with the Design Award Winners at the 2010 Design Awards Party being held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on October 27, 2010.
GROUP ENVISIONS AN LA BEYOND CARS: EXHIBIT TO OPEN JULY 29
July 22, 2010
In a culmination of its international Call for Ideas launched earlier this summer, railLA announced the July 29 opening of a curated exhibit entitled LA Beyond Cars. Participants to the Call for Ideas submitted conceptual designs, art, studies, inventions, city plans, videos and other creative solutions revolving around the topic of high-speed rail, its integration into the design of cities and visions of a future more sustainable, pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented and less reliant on automobiles. Over 100 works were received, including invited submissions from renowned architects MVRDV, Eric Owen Moss, Topotek1, and Pritzker Prize laureates Thom Mayne, Sir Norman Foster, and Zaha Hadid. The 15,000 s.f. exhibit space will display drawings, models, videos, animations, a rail-inspired installation by sculptor Stephen Glassman and will host interactive station design workshops by artist and planner, James Rojas.
AIA|LA Advocates for the Future of Planning in the City of Los Angeles
July 22, 2010
The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|LA) expresses its gratitude to Gail Goldberg for her accomplishments as Director of the Department of City Planning (DCP), as well as its support for the initiatives begun under the leadership of the DCP and the Planning Commission during her tenure. Meaningful momentum to Do Real Planning has been achieved and it is important to carry these efforts forward while you search for a new Director of Planning. The Urban Design Studio, tools such as the urban design guidelines and the walkability checklist, and commitment to the community plan process will ensure a healthier, more livable, and more economically competitive Los Angeles.
Pacific Palisades Commercial Villages Design Review Board - OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE
July 14, 2010
The City of Los Angeles is actively searching for an architect to serve on the Pacific Palisades Commercial Villages Design Review Board. If you have interest, please contact Whitney Blumenfeld in Councilmember Rosendahl's office for more information. Also, please copy me on your correspondence so that we can keep track of your interest and update you on additional opportunities.
railLA asks LA to think big about high-speed rail on July 17
July 13, 2010
LOS ANGELES, California - Urban planner and artist James Rojas believes he has found a way to develop community consensus through design and provide a process for the public to envision their ideal California High-Speed Rail project, which is now in the process of finalizing its track alignments in Northern and Southern California. A demonstration of the pioneering technique he describes as Interactive Planning will be held July 17 from 11:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. at the Pico House in the El Pueblo district of Los Angeles. Interactive models of the 30/10 scenario for Los Angeles County and Union Station with High-Speed Rail will also be on display.
AIA Los Angeles TAP/LA Design Technology Forum
July 12, 2010
On June 17th the AIA|LA Technology in Architectural Practice committee, working with the LA Design Technology Forum, hosted Ball-Nogues Studio and BplusU for a fascinating evening talking about connecting the digital and physical design worlds. Topics discussed ranged from sound recordings being processed into spatial forms, to 3D printing and physical model making, to fabrication of incredibly complex structures and installation artworks.
