Architects & designers passionate about improving the design quality of newly proposed projects throughout the City of Los Angeles are encouraged to participate in the Professional Volunteer Program (PVP), which is a collaborative design review program organized by AIA LA & Los Angeles City Planning (LACP)’s Urban Design Studio.

This year we will be coordinating thirty-one virtual design review sessions, which will serve as opportunities for architects and designers to help the Los Angeles City Planning’s Urban Design Studio critically review upcoming projects throughout our City.

The review sessions will enable a rotating pool of architects and designers the opportunity to provide insightful and critical design feedback on pending projects that will be reviewed by the Planning Commission. As a volunteer, you will help educate planning staff on urban design issues and complex urban typologies, and you will have the chance to provide project-specific urban design advice for planning staff’s consideration.

If you are interested in participating in three or four of the following upcoming design review sessions, then please contact Will Wright to receive additional information. Please note: We’re involving a rotating pool of architect volunteers, with sensitivity to the value of your time – so therefore, you are encouraged to RSVP and attend at most only four or five sessions during any given calendar year. This will ensure more space to accommodate as many volunteers as possible since each session accommodates a limited capacity.

All meetings will be virtual until further notice.

The design review sessions are held on the first, second, and third Tuesday of each month.

10am – 12pm

See exact dates below.

REGISTER HERE for each session that you’d like to join.

You will receive a registration confirmation email from Zoom. We recommend that you add the event to your calendar.

January 6
January 13
January 20
February 3
February 10
February 17
March 3
March 10
March 17
April 7
April 14
April 21
May 5
May 12
May 19
June 2
June 9
June 16

July 7
July 14
July 21
August 4
August 11
August 18
September 1
September 8
September 15
October 6
October 13
October 20
November 3
November 10
November 17
December 1
December 8
December 15

You must register in order to get zoom access.

Register Here

PVP discussions provide an opportunity for an open discussion with the notion that the information is to remain confidential and not shared in any other public or private forums. Anonymity shall be maintained by all PVP participants at all times.

The following resources are helpful to review in advance to become more familiar with the Urban Design Studio’s three design approaches:

• Pedestrian-First Design
• 360 Degree Design
• Climate-Adapted Design

Citywide Design Guidelines: The City’s Guiding Urban Design Policy Framework

Landscape and Site Design Ordinance: Creating Healthy Buildings and Healthy Places

Low-Rise Design Lab

Street Design Modernization Virtual Hub

Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
American Institute of Architects | Los Angeles Chapter

(213) 639-0764
will@aialosangeles.org