Creatives in Conversation – Between Space and Story: Art, Architecture, and the Making of Experience
2026-07-23 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | MAK Center at the Schindler House, 835 Kings Rd, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, United States
Click here for Ticket Purchase Instructions & Support.
EVENT DETAILS
Creatives in Conversation – Between Space and Story: Art, Architecture, and the Making of Experience.
What transforms space into experience? This panel brings creatives who explore how practices across disciplines shape the way we perceive, inhabit, and remember the built environment.

From the legacy of modernist architecture to the expressive potential of infrastructure and the conceptual language of contemporary art, each panelist approaches space as both a physical construct and a cultural narrative.
Through their work, materials, systems, and form become tools for storytelling—bridging the personal and the collective, the intimate and the civic.

Set at the MAK Center at the Schindler House, the conversation will examine how art and architecture intersect to create meaning, provoke engagement, and redefine the boundaries between object, environment, and experience.

Click HERE to support the Interior Architecture Committee & Creatives in Conversation.
Click HERE to learn more about our moderator and speakers!

AIA CES: 1.5 LU|HSW Approved
PARKING

Non-restricted street parking is available nearby (early arrival recommended).
A public parking garage is also located at Kings Road & Santa Monica Boulevard (northeast corner).

Kings Road Municipal Parking Structure – 8383 CA-2 , West Hollywood, CA 90069 + Map
Parking fees $1 per 20 minutes, up to $8 if arriving before 6pm, up to $5 if arriving after 6pm. First hour free for all cars during the daytime, additional hour free for anyone charging — just tell the attendant on your way out that you were charging. You may still pay the max if you are there long enough.
Garage closes at 2:30 am

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) is encouraged for convenience.

AIA|LA & LADWP Development Services: 2026 Quarterly Meetings - 08.13.26
2026-08-13 11:30 - 12:30 | Virtual on Zoom
AIA|LA & LADWP Development Services: 2025 Quarterly Meetings

This is a virtual meeting hosted on LADPW’s WebEx platform. Please register in advance to receive the link to access the meeting.
These quarterly meetings serve as a forum for AIA members to connect directly with LADWP leadership and discuss opportunities and strategies to improve development services.
The schedule for 2026:
Thursday, March 5 (11:30 am – 12:30 pm) – RSVP HERE
Thursday, May 7 (11:30 am – 12:30 pm) – RSVP HERE
Thursday, August 13 (11:30 am – 12:30 pm) – RSVP HERE
Thursday, November 5 (11:30 am – 12:30 pm) – RSVP HERE
Please share your specific issues, recommendations, challenges, and/or questions in advance, and we’ll add them to the agenda for each meeting. Email us here = Will@aialosangeles.org.

For more information about AIA LA GO!, the AIA LA Government Outreach Committee, please CLICK HERE.

PRIME 2026 AIA|LA ADVOCACY PRIORITY w/ LADWP:
AIA|LA is requesting LADWP leadership to institute the following protocol, which we believe will substantially improve development services:
To require review/approval of the Service Planner (Office Team) and ESR (Field Team) should occur during the normal Plan Check Period – Avoids delays that happen when approval occurs during construction and when the ESR first sees a project late in the construction process.
MORE CONTEXT:
Powering Progress: How AIA|LA and LADWP Are Redesigning Collaboration
Since 2021, AIA Los Angeles and LADWP have been breaking down silos through a pioneering series of quarterly roundtables. What began as a conversation has evolved into a powerful engine for problem-solving, connecting the architects who envision our city with the utility experts who power it.
The Mission: From Transaction to Trust –
These forums are about more than just permits; they are about building a shared culture of trust and empathy. By aligning the priorities of LADWP personnel with private sector designers, we are testing new methods to tackle Los Angeles’ biggest challenges—from the housing crisis to the urban heat island effect. We recognize that environmental justice, electrification, and urban design are deeply interconnected, requiring a unified approach to infrastructure.
Turning Talk into Action – These quarterly deep-dives allow us to:

Modernize Standards: We are analyzing how equipment size and “cultural habits” regarding utility placement impact the beauty and safety of our streets.
Innovate: From exploring self-certification to piloting new technologies, we are identifying the obstacles that slow down progress.
Benchmark: We are looking at regional best practices to integrate trees and landscaping with utility infrastructure, ensuring a greener public realm.

Real Results: The impact of this partnership is already visible on the ground. Together, we have achieved:

Faster processing for utility permits.
Critical streamlining for Executive Directive 1 (100% Affordable Housing) projects.
Smarter financial solutions, including the amortization of line extensions.
Greater flexibility for construction staging and transformer placement.

A Model for the Future:
We believe this partnership sets the standard for how City departments should engage with the private sector. By celebrating these wins, we hope to show the public that when architects and utilities collaborate, the entire city benefits.

AIA|LA Quarterly Roundtables w/ Los Angeles City Planning (LACP) - August 2026
2026-08-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual on Zoom
AIA|LA Quarterly Roundtables w/ Los Angeles City Planning (LACP)
Advocate. Innovate. Streamline. Join the conversation directly shaping the built environment of Los Angeles.
These virtual meetings are organized by the AIA|LA Government Outreach (GO!) Committee.
REGISTER HERE
Navigating the regulatory landscape of Los Angeles is often one of the most complex challenges architects face. The AIA|LA Quarterly Roundtables offer an exclusive, high-level dialogue directly with the leadership of Los Angeles City Planning (LACP). This is your opportunity to cut through the red tape, gain immediate clarity on shifting departmental processes, and directly advocate for the code clean-ups necessary to make your projects more feasible.
Prospective Roundtable Topics: To ensure these sessions remain highly relevant, future agendas will pivot to address the most pressing legislative and departmental priorities impacting your practice, including:

Zoning Code Clean-Up: Identifying and reforming specific hindrances, such as 14’ ground floor minimums.
Statewide Housing Initiatives: Practical implementation of SB 79, AB 130, SB 131, and other key bills.
The Tech Shift: How AI, automation, and new technologies are altering regulatory compliance.
Neighborhood Evolution: Navigating the Missing Middle, Corner Stores in SFRs, the Small Lot Ordinance, ADUs, and the Livable Communities Initiative.

Planning Updates: Real-time updates on Community Plans and the refinement or sunsetting of outdated Specific Plans.
2026 Schedule (Virtual via Zoom)

Tuesday, January 27 | 9:00 am – 10:30 am (in-person at LA City Hall)
Wednesday, April 22 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – RSVP HERE.
Tuesday, August 18 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – RSVP HERE.
Wednesday, November 18 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – RSVP HERE.

Don’t let policy happen to your practice—help shape it. RSVP today to secure your spot at the table.
For more information about AIA LA GO!, the AIA LA Government Outreach Committee, please CLICK HERE.

Purposeful 2026
2026-08-21 08:00 - 15:00 | Center for Communities, 4450 West Adams, Los Angeles, CA, 90016
Click here for Ticket Purchase Instructions & Support.
EVENT DETAILS

This year at Purposeful, let’s challenge the status quo, and get down to the basics of care – not by adding elements and features but by eliminating what doesn’t serve. In a world that’s ever more complicated, let’s see how much simpler care environments could be without failing the care function, and in doing so, focus on emotional support and reduced cost to benefit all of us.

Please join us for a diverse panel of inspiring & educational speakers who will speak to the above as well as how can we better address practitioner needs and provider concerns too.

Group charette focus: Working in multidisciplinary teams, you’ll reimagine the future of the outpatient clinic, creating a healthcare destination where the quality of the space is as meaningful as the care it delivers. Together, we’ll explore how design can foster community, wellness, happiness, and human connection while advancing equity, accessibility, and dignity for every patient, family member, caregiver, and practitioner. Guided by the theme Doing More with Less, teams will challenge conventional thinking in both concept and application, redefining what the outpatient healthcare experience can be.

Click HERE to see our speakers and stay update on our programming for Purposeful 2026!
Click HERE to support Purposeful 2026!

Thank you for your interest- We hope to see you in August!

LEARNING UNITS
AIA CES: 6.0 LU|HSW pending

Explore creative design ideas for building community, wellness, and happiness
Evaluate new strategies for improving patient equity, accessibility, and dignity
Consider provider goals for better prevention, intervention, and after-care
Identify practitioner concerns for safer, respected, and supported care

PARKING
Parking will be available at RLA (Restauracion Los Angeles) Church Parking located at 4409 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016.
Thank you to our Parking Sponsor!!

Quarterly Roundtable Discussion w/ Osama Younan, P.E. - September 2026
2026-09-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual on Zoom
AIA LA GO! Roundtable Discussion w/ Osama Younan, P.E. – General Manager, LADBS
This is a virtual meeting. Please register below to receive the Zoom link.
These quarterly roundtables, organized by the AIA|LA Government Outreach (GO!) Committee, serve as a forum for AIA members to connect directly with LADBS leadership and to learn more about the latest initiatives being advanced by LADBS.
If you have an item, issue, or a specific topic you’d like added to the agenda, please email Will@aialosangeles.org.

Monday, March 16 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, June 15 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, September 21 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, December 7 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE

REGISTER HERE
AIA LA GO! Roundtable w/ Osama Younan, P.E. — Your Chance to Shape LA’s Building Codes and Policies
Join us for a virtual roundtable discussion with Osama Younan, P.E., LEED AP, General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). This is your opportunity to engage directly with LADBS leadership and influence the future of building in Los Angeles.
Why Attend?

Direct Access to LADBS: Hear firsthand updates on emerging initiatives, code changes, and policy priorities from the General Manager himself.
Influence the Agenda: Share your ideas and recommendations on critical topics like permit streamlining, resilient design, and sustainable building practices.
Shape the Future of LA: Your input will directly inform AIA LA’s advocacy efforts and help shape the future of building codes and policies in Los Angeles.

Who Should Attend?

Architects and design professionals with questions about interpreting building codes and implementing policies that impact architecture & design.
Professionals seeking to understand the latest developments and initiatives at LADBS.
Anyone passionate about shaping a more sustainable and resilient built environment in Los Angeles.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, September 21 (1 pm – 2 pm)
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PST
Location: Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)
RSVP: [REGISTER HERE]

Don’t Miss This Opportunity!
Your voice matters. Let’s work together to create a better built environment for all Angelenos. RSVP today and be a part of the conversation!
Can’t make this one? Mark your calendars for future AIA LA GO! Roundtable Discussions w/ Osama Younan, P.E., LEED AP:

Monday, March 16 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, June 15 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, September 21 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, December 7 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE

Osama Younan, P.E., LEED AP – General Manager & Superintendent of Building, Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
Osama Younan is the General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). He developed the Department’s Green Building Division to implement the Los Angeles Green Building Code. Osama Younan is a licensed Mechanical Engineer with the State of California and a LEED Accredited Professional with the U.S. Green Building Council. Osama Younan serves as the Chair of the Green Building Committee for the Los Angeles Basin Chapter which represents eighty-nine jurisdictions in Southern California, he serves on the Green Building Code Advisory Committee for the California Building Standards Commission that provides recommendations regarding the development of the CALGreen Code, and he serves on the ASHREA Standard 189.1 Committee “Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings”.
Osama Younan is a Licensed Professional Engineer, LEED Accredited Professional, and he oversees the operations of all the bureaus in the department. As the General Manager, he oversees the operations of the Department’s 950 employees in the following major functional groups spread among 11 geographical locations:
+ Permit and Engineering Bureau
+ Inspection Bureau
+ Code Enforcement Bureau
+ Resource Management Bureau
+ Technology Services Bureau
+ Development Services Case Management Division
For more information about AIA LA GO!, the AIA LA Government Outreach Committee, please CLICK HERE.

AIA|LA & LADWP Development Services: 2026 Quarterly Meetings - 11.05.26
2026-11-05 11:30 - 13:00 | Virtual on Zoom

AIA|LA Quarterly Roundtables w/ Los Angeles City Planning (LACP) - November 2026
2026-11-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual on Zoom

Quarterly Roundtable Discussion w/ Osama Younan, P.E. - December 2026
2026-12-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual on Zoom
AIA LA GO! Roundtable Discussion w/ Osama Younan, P.E. – General Manager, LADBS
This is a virtual meeting. Please register below to receive the Zoom link.
These quarterly roundtables, organized by the AIA|LA Government Outreach (GO!) Committee, serve as a forum for AIA members to connect directly with LADBS leadership and to learn more about the latest initiatives being advanced by LADBS.
If you have an item, issue, or a specific topic you’d like added to the agenda, please email Will@aialosangeles.org.

Monday, March 16 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, June 15 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, September 21 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, December 7 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE

REGISTER HERE
AIA LA GO! Roundtable w/ Osama Younan, P.E. — Your Chance to Shape LA’s Building Codes and Policies
Join us for a virtual roundtable discussion with Osama Younan, P.E., LEED AP, General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). This is your opportunity to engage directly with LADBS leadership and influence the future of building in Los Angeles.
Why Attend?

Direct Access to LADBS: Hear firsthand updates on emerging initiatives, code changes, and policy priorities from the General Manager himself.
Influence the Agenda: Share your ideas and recommendations on critical topics like permit streamlining, resilient design, and sustainable building practices.
Shape the Future of LA: Your input will directly inform AIA LA’s advocacy efforts and help shape the future of building codes and policies in Los Angeles.

Who Should Attend?

Architects and design professionals with questions about interpreting building codes and implementing policies that impact architecture & design.
Professionals seeking to understand the latest developments and initiatives at LADBS.
Anyone passionate about shaping a more sustainable and resilient built environment in Los Angeles.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, December 7 (1 pm – 2 pm)
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PST
Location: Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)
RSVP: [REGISTER HERE]

Don’t Miss This Opportunity!
Your voice matters. Let’s work together to create a better built environment for all Angelenos. RSVP today and be a part of the conversation!
Can’t make this one? Mark your calendars for future AIA LA GO! Roundtable Discussions w/ Osama Younan, P.E., LEED AP:

Monday, March 16 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, June 15 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, September 21 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE
Monday, December 7 (1 pm – 2 pm) – RSVP HERE

Osama Younan, P.E., LEED AP – General Manager & Superintendent of Building, Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
Osama Younan is the General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). He developed the Department’s Green Building Division to implement the Los Angeles Green Building Code. Osama Younan is a licensed Mechanical Engineer with the State of California and a LEED Accredited Professional with the U.S. Green Building Council. Osama Younan serves as the Chair of the Green Building Committee for the Los Angeles Basin Chapter which represents eighty-nine jurisdictions in Southern California, he serves on the Green Building Code Advisory Committee for the California Building Standards Commission that provides recommendations regarding the development of the CALGreen Code, and he serves on the ASHREA Standard 189.1 Committee “Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings”.
Osama Younan is a Licensed Professional Engineer, LEED Accredited Professional, and he oversees the operations of all the bureaus in the department. As the General Manager, he oversees the operations of the Department’s 950 employees in the following major functional groups spread among 11 geographical locations:
+ Permit and Engineering Bureau
+ Inspection Bureau
+ Code Enforcement Bureau
+ Resource Management Bureau
+ Technology Services Bureau
+ Development Services Case Management Division
For more information about AIA LA GO!, the AIA LA Government Outreach Committee, please CLICK HERE.
