AIA|LA & LADWP Development Services: 2025 Quarterly Meetings
2025-06-25 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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 an opportunity for AIA members to connect directly with LADWP leadership and to discuss opportunities and strategies to improve development services.
The schedule for 2025:
Wednesday, April 2 (12pm – 1pm) – RSVP HERE
Wednesday, June 25 (12pm – 1pm) – Rescheduled from June 4th.
Wednesday, September 24 (12pm – 1:30pm) – RSVP HERE *in person. Location TBD in Downtown LA (AIA to identify host location)
Wednesday, November 5 (12pm – 1pm) – 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.

MORE CONTEXT:
For the past 36+ months, AIA Los Angeles and LADWP have been organizing a quarterly series of roundtable discussions, which serve as an opportunity to further connect the architecture community and LADWP development services personnel. These quarterly roundtables help to establish a more collaborative partnership and facilitate opportunities to identify solutions to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
In general, the quarterly meetings serve as forums to:
1. Build trust and understanding between LADWP personnel and the private sector (architects/ designers/ engineers).
2. Develop compassion and empathy to better understand each other’s professional priorities and implementation tactics.
3. Allow idea exchange and interaction — to learn from each other and to test out new methods and performance standards.
4. Establish greater context for how environmental justice, shade equity, climate mitigation, urban heat island, tree canopy, building decarbonization, housing affordability, 100% electrification, on-site generation, and urban design are all inter-related (and therefore require a more connected partnership between LADWP and the architecture community implementing the infrastructure framework to address all of these inter-related challenges).
5. Expedite and streamline LADPW’s development services.
More specifically, the quarterly forums allow for:
1. Improve the architects’ understanding of specific LADWP rules, regulations, standards, and procedures – and offer helpful insight on how to better improve those specific regulations and standards to achieve more optimal outcomes.
2. Create pathways to achieve greater flexibility and clarity of purpose for why certain variances and modifications are necessary, helpful, and/or mutually beneficial.
3. Identify obstacles to implementation
4. Establish pilot programs to test out new ideas and innovative solutions.
5. Establish an inventory of code-related obstacles and analyze which codes and regulations may need to be modified/ altered to achieve more effective outcomes
6. Map out strategies for how to better leverage resources
7. Prioritize changes in equipment size, models, standards, and ‘cultural habits’ that can assist in delivering positive results (healthier urban design, greater biodiversity, safer working conditions, a more beautiful and less stressful public realm, etc.)
8. Identify opportunities to leverage best practices from Southern California Edison as it relate to design standards and protocols that promote more verdant ecosystems in integration with utility infrastructure (relationship between street trees and landscaping w/ utility infrastructure, etc) and the ability to utilize alternative materials that promote a ‘greener,’ and less stressful public realm.
9. The exploration of third-party services, peer review, and self-certification, etc.
Some of the direct outcomes achieved to date include:
1. Improved staffing and processing times at BOE for utility permits
2. More permissible variances for staging areas and transformer pads, etc.
3. Streamlined processes for 100% affordable housing (ED #1)
4. Amortization of line extensions, etc
5. Deeper trust between AIA Los Angeles and LADWP leadership
In the future, as the impact of these sessions further evolves and demonstrates results, we’d like to make certain:
1. These forums serve as a model for how other LA City departments can deepen relationships with the private sector to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
2. Deepen the trust between LADWP and the citizens/ residents/ professionals/ clients it serves.
We applaud LADWP’s leadership in prioritizing the partnership between AIA Los Angeles and the utility. If LADWP’s communication team can help us communicate and celebrate the impact of these forums, the general public will benefit from a deeper understanding of how public and private partnerships can help achieve positive results for all.
For more information about AIA LA GO!, the AIA LA Government Outreach Committee, please CLICK HERE.

Pre-Powerful XII Networking and Summer Happy Hour + Volunteer Meetup
2025-07-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Center for Communities, 4450 West Adams, Los Angeles, CA, 90016
Event Details
Please join us as we celebrate the summer, make new friends, and get ready for Powerful XII! This will be a great opportunity to network with women in the AEC industry and to help plan the Powerful XII Conference, which will take place on October 3. New volunteers and those who just want to come for the fun are all welcome!

Address
AIA|LA & ACLA Center for Communities
4450 West Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016

Parking
Street parking is available.

COTE: on tap
2025-07-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Highland Park Brewery, 1220 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Event Details
Join AIA|LA’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) for a relaxed summer happy hour at Highland Park Brewery! Stop by on Thursday, July 10th, 2025, from 6:00–8:00PM to meet fellow sustainability-minded professionals, connect with the COTE committee, and raise a glass to climate solutions.
This free event is B.Y.O.B. (buy your own beer), and all are welcome. Please RSVP so we have a head count—then just bring your good vibes and join us for an evening of high spirits and low carbon!

Address + Parking
Highland Park Brewery, 1220 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, 90012
Off street parking is available.

HCAI’s OSHPD + Hospital Building Safety Board (HBSB) Road Show
2025-07-16 16:30 - 18:00 | OSHPD LA Office, 355 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90071, United States
EVENT DESCRIPTION
This in-person event is an opportunity to learn more about the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD), the Hospital Building Safety Board (HBSB), and how these agencies collaborate to ensure health facility safety, sustainability, and resiliency. Meet the HBSB board members and OSHPD staff who will be presenting the Road Show as they share how they work together and how the design and construction industry can get involved.
Due to building security requirements, please bring your ID to present at the security desk and OSHPD staff will be available to escort you up to the OSHPD conference room.

SPEAKERS

Arash Altoontash, PhD, S.E. + Deputy Division Chief + OSHPD
Dr. Arash Altoontash is the HCAI Deputy Division Chief for Southern California, overseeing the Inspection Services, Fire Prevention, Architectural and Engineering, and Field Operations units in the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development. He joined the state service in 2018 and has served as a Senior Structural Engineer and Supervisor of Health Facility Review prior to his current assignment.

Arash completed his graduate education at Stanford University in 2004 and is a registered civil and structural engineer in California. As a private sector engineer and project manager, he was in charge of design or review of structural systems and non-structural elements of a variety of building types. As a lecturer, he has developed and taught advanced and introductory Structural Steel Design courses at the University of California, Irvine.

Teresa Endres, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, AAH + Medical Planning Director + Taylor Design + HCAI Hospital Building Safety Board
Teresa Endres, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, AAH, believes design can empower physicians to heal, scientists to discover, and healthcare leaders to innovate. She has planned every modality and department in a hospital, outpatient facility and skilled nursing facility and serves as an architect on the HCAI Hospital Building Safety Board.

AIA CES: Approved for 1.5 LU

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Review the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) Visions and organization chart which includes the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD), the Hospital Building Safety Board (HBSB), and the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA).
2. Understand much of what HCAI does, which is beyond the regulation of the design and construction of health care facilities under OSHPD jurisdiction, including collection of data which healthcare systems use in the development of their strategic and master plans.
3. Examine who’s on the HBSB and how the HBSB collaborates with OSHPD staff for the development of the building codes, policy intent notices (PINs), code application notices (CANs), advisory guides, and continuing education in the form of webinars, seminars, and Tips of the Day. Included is how the design and construction community can get involved, find useful information on the HCAI/OSHPD website, and other valuable HCAI and OSHPD resources.
4. Review what’s happening on the HBSB and at OSHPD, including updates on code revisions, upcoming webinars and seminars, and new and recently published advisory guides.

PARKING
Paid parking is available in the Wells Fargo building, Westin Bonaventure, 1Cal Parking, Bank of America Building.

*Note to all registrants: When purchasing a ticket, please double check that the address + zip code that you provide matches the billing information on the card you are using.*

Please click here to view the PDF presentation courtesy of Teresa Endres, AIA!

Increasing Licensure in Your Firm: Exams, Experiences & Equity
2025-07-24 18:00 - 19:30 | CO Architects LA Office, 5750 Wilshire Blvd Suite 550, Los Angeles, CA, 90036, United States
EVENT DETAILS
Now more than ever, aspiring architectural designers debate whether licensure is worthwhile. Earning a license to practice architecture is a massive effort—and firms can devote resources to their staff to reach that goal. This presentation guides firms of all sizes in the why and how they should undertake the responsibility for fostering the process.
Presenters will include success stories about how their firm has assisted more than 30 designers get licensed to practice architecture since implementing a focused assistance/acceleration program ten years ago. They will show the benefits to subsidizing licensure: investment in staff and morale, elevating the firm, bolstering recruitment and retention, diversifying personnel, and enhancing the profession.
CO Architects Principal James Simeo, FAIA, and Associate Principal Lauren Coles, AIA, will outline the office’s AXP/ARE licensing program, describe the process, share why helping staff earn a license matters in the current climate, discuss licensure data, and detail the opportunities provided to both firms and the profession through subsidizing licensure. The purpose of this presentation is to strengthen pathways to licensure by demystifying the process.

Please Note: This is a HYBRID event. (In Person at CO Architects LA Office / Virtual).
Those who cannot make it in person will have the option to attend virtually over ZOOM or TEAMS.
All registrants will be sent a link to join the event virtually in the Event Confirmation email that is sent out 24 hours prior to the event.

SPEAKERS

James Simeo, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C – Principal, CO Architects
James Simeo has over 30 years of experience with science & technology, higher education, healthcare and justice projects. He exhibits strong commitment to design excellence and client service in his projects, and he contributes to the firm’s development of new market sectors and building types. James holds a Master of Architecture from UCLA, and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan. He has been associated with the firm since 1993.

Lauren Coles, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CDT. Assoc. DBIA – Associate Principal, CO Architects

Lauren Coles brings over 20 years of experience partnering with higher education and healthcare clients on a broad range of projects from replacement medical centers to cutting-edge health sciences education and research facilities. Since joining CO in 2015, Lauren has acted as the firm’s licensing supervisor, providing mentorship and oversight on the licensing process. She is the former Chair of the AIA|LA Professional Practice Committee and is presently a Director on the AIA|LA Board of Directors. In 2021, Lauren was recognized with Building Design + Construction’s “40 under 40” award.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
AIA CES: Approved for 1.5 LU
1. Participants will discover the business benefits of creating a firm-sponsored path to licensure for employees.
2. Participants will be able to apply strategies on how to promote licensure within their practice and the community at large.
3. Participants will learn how to mentor and assist prospective test-takers on their paths to licensure.
4. Participants will identify the resources that facilitate licensure and the importance of each one.

PARKING
Parking on street available and for a fee inside building. No validation.

Designing for Sustainable Equity
2025-08-13 17:00 - 19:00 | BASK, 718 Mateo St. Suite 01, Los Angeles, CA, 90021, United States
Please note: AIA|LA is not collecting RSVP’s for this event.
To attend this free event, please register at this link.
Share the event with your LinkedIn connections!

EVENT DETAILS
The “Designing for Sustainable Equity” panel discussion addresses pressing issues in our society and connects the dots between the Environmental, Social, and Governance pillars of sustainability, particularly in many of our neighborhoods and disadvantaged communities are on the receiving end of irresponsible overproduction, manufacturing and development practices that affect their health, cultural identity and social standing in the society.
The panel will address key issues and highlight opportunities that Design professionals should consider when designing new buildings, repurposing old structures, or selecting building products, as well as the consequences of their actions.
Panelists will address key issues, including policies, Adaptive reuse practices, Community Health and wellbeing, and the use of new and recycled materials in our projects, all of which have far-reaching implications for communities.
This event is organized by IIDA SoCal EDI Sector in partnership with the AIA Los Angeles Adaptive Reuse Committee.
PANELISTS:
Roberto Vazquez – Sector Lead for Housing and Mixed Use at HED
Lona Rerick – Director of Regenerative Design at Perkins&Will | McLennan Design
Ines Ware – Director of Sustainability at Bentley Mills
MODERATORS:

Christine Peter– IIDA SoCal Co-VP of EDI
David Martinez– Vice Chair, AIA Adaptive Reuse Committee

PARKING INFO
Street parking available, and lot parking available.

Small & Emerging Business Quarterly Meeting - August 2025
2025-08-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Shaw Showroom, 444 S. Flower St, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA, 90071, United States
The third of a quarterly get together for small businesses to discuss relevant issues that impact small/emerging practices. The intent of this meeting is to help facilitate AIA engagement with smaller practitioners and to provide a collective voice for change.
We have invited AAa/e (Asian American architects/engineers) and NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) to distribute this to their members as well.
Come get to know your peers and to discuss topics and strategies that may help with your business growth.

Creatives in Conversation: Blurring Boundaries
2025-09-11 16:00 - 20:00 | The Schindler House at the MAK Center, 835 Kings Rd, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, United States
EVENT DETAILS
Creativity transcends conventional boundaries by forging unexpected connections and revealing hidden patterns. But where does creativity originate, and how can it be cultivated? Can we direct its flow—or must we follow where it leads? Might blurring boundaries between disciplines open new dialogues and foster cross-pollination?
Join us for this year’s Creatives in Conversation, as we explore these questions through the work of three visionary artists: Refik Anadol, Lita Albuquerque, and Lucy McRae. Spanning AI, digital art, sculpture, multi-media performance, and conceptual fashion, their practices challenge our thinking and invite new perspectives.
The conversation will be moderated by Los Angeles–based architect and critic Joe Day, and held at the iconic Schindler House, in collaboration with the MAK Center for Art and Architecture.
Together, we’ll explore what might evolve when disciplines converge and boundaries blur.

Please click HERE to view the Speaker Line-Up & Sponsorship Opportunities for Creatives in Conversation.

Roundtable w/ Osama Younan, P.E.
2025-09-22 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 forums allow AIA members to connect directly with LADBS leadership and hear status updates and emerging initiatives.
If you have an item, issue, or a specific topic you’d like added to the agenda, please email Will@aialosangeles.org.

1. Monday, March 17 (12pm – 1pm) = RSVP HERE
2. Monday, June 16 (12pm – 1pm) = RSVP HERE
3. Monday, September 22 (1pm – 2pm) = RSVP HERE
4. Monday, December 8 (12pm – 1pm) = 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 22, 2025
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, June 16, 2025 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PST) – [RSVP HERE]
Monday, September 22, 2025 (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PST) – [RSVP HERE]
Monday, December 8, 2025 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PST) – [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.

Reuse LA Part 2: Adapting Performance and New Identities to Existing Facades, Case Studies in Southern California Adaptive Reuse Projects with EYRC, Gensler, and Gruen Associates
2025-09-26 08:30 - 10:00 | Center for Communities, 4450 West Adams, Los Angeles, CA, 90016
*Note to all registrants: When purchasing a ticket, please double check that the address + zip code that you provide matches the billing information on the card you are using.*

EVENT DETAILS
The AIA|LA Building Performance & Regulations Committee invites you to join our panel event highlighting case studies on three contemporary Southern California Adaptive Reuse Projects. Come hear directly from their authors; Devon Barnes (Gruen Associates), Patricia Rhee (EYRC), and Olivier Sommerhalder (Gensler) as they present the Apple Tower Theatre, The Press, and the Herald Examiner Building adaptive reuse projects along with their hard-earned lessons.
While the urgency and opportunities of adaptive reuse projects are well known, they come with significant architectural and technical challenges. High among them is the adaptation of existing building facades, as it requires design teams to take on forensic and archeological approaches to adapt existing building enclosures for new use and modern performance standards. To support these unique challenges in the growing advocacy for Adaptive Reuse projects, the AIA LA Building Performance and Regulations Committee invites you to participate in this knowledge sharing panel event.

MODERATOR

Alex Rosenthal, AIA – Senior Associate, Heintges
Alex Rosenthal is a Senior Associate at Heintges Consulting Architects and Engineers based in Southern California. As a licensed architect and having worked with Heintges since 2016, his career has been dedicated to the realization of complex facades brought on by an ardent passion for architecture, performance-based design, and sustainable building practices. Alex has collaborated internationally with some of the world’s leading architecture firms in the design and technical development of high-profile building envelopes on projects ranging from flagship retail to high-rise residential, commercial, office, laboratory, institutional and museum programs. Outside of his work at Heintges, Alex has been a guest lecturer and juror at multiple universities, a frequent public speaker at building enclosure industry events, and an active participate in professional organizations. With his involvement in AIA LA’s Building Performance and Regulations committee, Alex advocates for the dissemination of knowledge related to California sustainable building regulations, adaptive reuse, building performance, and facades. Alex holds degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Architecture and a Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University’s GSAPP where he received the Lucille Smysyer Lowenfish Memorial Prize.

PANELISTS

Devon Barnes, AIA – Principal Associate, Gruen Associates
Devon began her career designing award-winning flagship stores for luxury brands before shifting her focus to adaptive reuse and historically sensitive projects. She enjoys weaving modern amenities into existing and historic contexts, with a portfolio that includes the restoration of the Tower Theater. As a member of the Los Angeles Conservancy and the Western Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology, she is committed to uncovering hidden stories within buildings and shaping meaningful architectural adaptations.

Patricia Rhee, FAIA, DBIA – Partner, Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects
Partner Patricia Rhee, FAIA, has been a member of EYRC Architects since 2000. She has served as Designer for some of the firm’s most notable and award-winning projects including The Press, The Culver Steps, Ivy Station Offices and Retail, and the John M. Roll U.S. Federal Courthouse. She has served on design juries for multiple AIA chapters, the Design-Build Institute of America and numerous architecture schools. She has lectured internationally and nationally, at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, the University of Melbourne, Clemson University, AIA National Women’s Leadership Summit, and the University of Maryland, where she was the Kea Distinguished Professor. Patricia has and continues to serve as a Peer Advisor to the Bureau of Overseas Business Operations and the General Services Administration. She was a founding Co-Chair of the AIA Los Angeles Women in Architecture committee and serves on the board of Heidi Duckler Dance.

Olivier Sommerhalder, AIA – Principal, Gensler
Olivier is a Design Principal and the Global Design Resilience Leader for Gensler based in the Los Angeles office. He brings design and technical expertise across a spectrum of public and private projects of all types and scales. Olivier approaches design by using research, building technology, and building science as means to drive progressive, contextually appropriate, holistic architecture.

He has taught at the University of Southern California and served as visiting critic and guest lecturer at the University of Southern California, Cal Poly Pomona, the University of California Los Angeles, the University of California Berkley and the ETH (Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, Switzerland). Olivier holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Applied Sciences in Brugg-Windisch, Switzerland; a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute or Architecture, Los Angeles and an Executive Master in Design Culture from the Zurich University of the Arts, Zurich, Switzerland.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
AIA CES: 1.5 LU|HSW Approved
1. Present a comprehensive summary of existing building code requirements and pathways to deliver compliant building enclosure for commercial Adaptive Reuse projects.
2. Present case studies on the design and technical adaptation of existing facades to new architectural identities and contemporary performance standards.
3. Understand different technical and forensic approaches to working with a building facade’s existing conditions.
4. Share hard-earned lessons from successfully completed adaptive reuse projects.

PARKING
Street parking is available.

2025 Powerful XII: Optimism + Resilience
2025-10-03 07:45 - 17:00 | Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA, 90069, United States
EVENT DETAILS
The AIA | LA Women in Architecture Committee is excited to present our 12th annual Powerful Conference.
Powerful XII: Optimism + Resilience. 2025 has brought profound challenges, globally and here in Los Angeles, experiencing devastating wildfires at the beginning of the year. In the face of crisis, optimism and resilience have emerged as vital forces—not just personal traits, but professional imperatives.
We see optimism and resilience as key attributes of women in our industry as well as resilience as a way of designing for the future. Women in architecture exemplify these qualities daily, navigating complexity with clarity and purpose. As architects, we’re not just shaping buildings—we’re shaping the future. And in that future, optimism and resilience are not optional; they are essential.
Please join us October 3rd at the Pacific Design Center for an inspiring day of speakers, panelists and workshops reinforcing the optimism and resilience women bring to the field of architecture, design, and the whole AEC Community.

WORKSHOP INFO
Click here to view the Powerful XII Workshop options.
Please note, you may only select 2 workshops to attend during the afternoon session.
You may choose your 2 workshop options when you purchase your tickets.

PARKING
Paid parking is available at the Pacific Design Center in the garage, East of the main complex. Accessible from Santa Monica Blvd, Melrose Ave, and N. San Vicente Blvd.

Please click HERE to view more details about Powerful XII.
Check out Sponsorship Opportunities HERE.

AIA|LA & LADWP Development Services: 2025 Quarterly Meetings
2025-10-07 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 an opportunity for AIA members to connect directly with LADWP leadership and to discuss opportunities and strategies to improve development services.
The schedule for 2025:
Wednesday, April 2 (12pm – 1pm) – RSVP HERE
Wednesday, June 4 (12pm – 1pm) – RSVP HERE
Tuesday, October 7 (11:30am – 12:30pm) – RSVP VIA LINK BELOW// Originally scheduled for Sept 24, 2025.
Wednesday, November 5 (12pm – 1pm) – 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.

MORE CONTEXT:
For the past 36+ months, AIA Los Angeles and LADWP have been organizing a quarterly series of roundtable discussions, which serve as an opportunity to further connect the architecture community and LADWP development services personnel. These quarterly roundtables help to establish a more collaborative partnership and facilitate opportunities to identify solutions to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
In general, the quarterly meetings serve as forums to:
1. Build trust and understanding between LADWP personnel and the private sector (architects/ designers/ engineers).
2. Develop compassion and empathy to better understand each other’s professional priorities and implementation tactics.
3. Allow idea exchange and interaction — to learn from each other and to test out new methods and performance standards.
4. Establish greater context for how environmental justice, shade equity, climate mitigation, urban heat island, tree canopy, building decarbonization, housing affordability, 100% electrification, on-site generation, and urban design are all interrelated (and therefore require a more connected partnership between LADWP and the architecture community implementing the infrastructure framework to address all of these interrelated challenges).
5. Expedite and streamline LADPW’s development services.
More specifically, the quarterly forums allow for:
1. Improve the architects’ understanding of specific LADWP rules, regulations, standards, and procedures – and offer helpful insight on how to better improve those specific regulations and standards to achieve more optimal outcomes.
2. Create pathways to achieve greater flexibility and clarity of purpose for why certain variances and modifications are necessary, helpful, and/or mutually beneficial.
3. Identify obstacles to implementation
4. Establish pilot programs to test out new ideas and innovative solutions.
5. Establish an inventory of code-related obstacles and analyze which codes and regulations may need to be modified/ altered to achieve more effective outcomes
6. Map out strategies for how to better leverage resources
7. Prioritize changes in equipment size, models, standards, and ‘cultural habits’ that can assist in delivering positive results (healthier urban design, greater biodiversity, safer working conditions, a more beautiful and less stressful public realm, etc.)
8. Identify opportunities to leverage best practices from Southern California Edison as it relate to design standards and protocols that promote more verdant ecosystems in integration with utility infrastructure (relationship between street trees and landscaping w/ utility infrastructure, etc) and the ability to utilize alternative materials that promote a ‘greener,’ and less stressful public realm.
9. The exploration of third-party services, peer review, and self-certification, etc.
Some of the direct outcomes achieved to date include:
1. Improved staffing and processing times at BOE for utility permits
2. More permissible variances for staging areas and transformer pads, etc.
3. Streamlined processes for 100% affordable housing (ED #1)
4. Amortization of line extensions, etc
5. Deeper trust between AIA Los Angeles and LADWP leadership
In the future, as the impact of these sessions further evolves and demonstrates results, we’d like to make certain:
1. These forums serve as a model for how other LA City departments can deepen relationships with the private sector to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
2. Deepen the trust between LADWP and the citizens/ residents/ professionals/ clients it serves.
We applaud LADWP’s leadership in prioritizing the partnership between AIA Los Angeles and the utility. If LADWP’s communication team can help us communicate and celebrate the impact of these forums, the general public will benefit from a deeper understanding of how public and private partnerships can help achieve positive results for all.
For more information about AIA LA GO!, the AIA LA Government Outreach Committee, please CLICK HERE.

Refrigeration Code Changes: What Designers Need to Know
2025-10-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Buro Happold, 633 W. 5th St., 68th Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90071, United States
EVENT DETAILS
“Refrigeration Code Changes: What Designers Need to Know.” With evolving standards around refrigerants and HVAC systems, staying up-to-date on code updates is essential for sustainable design:
– Recent updates in California & national refrigeration codes
– Environmental impacts of refrigerant types
– Design strategies to align with the new
– Q&A session with industry professional

SPEAKERS

George Reilly, Hon. AIA|LA – Principal | US BEnv Lead – West Coast Region, Buro Happold
George Reilly is a seasoned MEP engineer with over 20 years of experience.
He began his career in the UK and has been working in California since 2009. His expertise spans projects across Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Asia, with significant experience in laboratory, cultural, higher education, and adaptive reuse sectors.
George’s passion for engineering is driven by a desire to understand how systems work and to enhance building efficiency. He aims to add value to projects by maintaining strong client relationships and delivering design solutions that align with clients’ aspirations and budgets. His commitment to Net Zero Carbon and addressing climate change is a key focus of his work.
As a member of the AIA Committee on the Environment (LA) and an AIA Honorary status awardee, George is recognized for his dedication to sustainability and his contributions to the field.

Andrew James – Senior Associate | Mechanical, Buro Happold
Andrew James is an associate mechanical engineer on the Los Angeles MEP engineering team.
Andrew brings technical expertise in HVAC mechanical design and energy analysis, spanning higher education, commercial, healthcare, and arts & culture sectors. He excels in the delivery of coordinated multi-discipline projects in BIM. He also supports project code compliance and construction administration.
Andrew has an interest in low-energy mechanical design using passive conditioning strategies, as well as an interest in district-level heating and cooling systems, as used in both the Building for the Permanent Collection at Los Angeles County Museum Art and at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
AIA CES: 2 LU|HSW Approved
1. Identify recent changes to California and national refrigeration codes and explain their implications for sustainable building design.
2. Evaluate the environmental impacts of various refrigerant types, including global warming potential (GWP) and ozone depletion potential (ODP).
3. Apply design strategies that align HVAC systems with updated refrigerant standards while maintaining occupant comfort and building performance.
4. Integrate code-compliant, low-impact refrigeration solutions into design projects to support health, safety, and welfare goals.

PARKING
Public Parking available at Central Library and Pershing Square.

Meet the Practices - John Kaliski Architects, Inc. (JKA)
2025-10-16 17:30 - 19:30 | John Kaliski Architects, Inc. (JKA), 3780 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 500, Los Angeles, 90010, United States
Meet the Practices – John Kaliski Architects, Inc. (JKA)
Please join us for a tour of John Kaliski Architects, Inc. Founded in 2000, JKA is a full-service, certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) focusing on multifamily housing and urban design projects. The firm’s mission is to employ architecture and urban design practices to create resilient buildings and places that foster individual well-being, social opportunity, and a sense of community.
Light Bites and Drinks will be served.
Where:
JKA | John Kaliski Architects, Inc.
3780 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 500Los Angeles, CA 90010
(5th floor inside the Pellissier Building/Wiltern Theatre tower)
Transit:
Directly across the street from the Metro Purple “D” Line Wilshire/Western station
Parking:
Very limited Koreatown street parking available, Ralphs Parking Structure located behind the
building with entrances on Oxford and Western.
Please note: JKA cannot provide validation.
The AIA|LA “Meet the Practices” is a series of mixers and networking opportunities presented by the AIA|LA Professional Practice Committee.

AIA LA COTE On Tap : Low Carbon, High Spirits (Greenbuild Edition) Happy Hour
2025-11-04 16:00 - 18:00 | Audiograph Beer Co., 1203 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA, 90015, United States
**Please Note: AIA|LA is not collecting RSVP’s for this Event. **
***No RSVP needed. Just show up, bring a friend, and help spread the word!***

Heading to Greenbuild in Los Angeles? Join us for a relaxed happy hour with the AIA Los Angeles Committee on the Environment — right around the corner from the Convention Center.
Audiograph Beer Co. | 1203 S Olive St, Los Angeles
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Come connect with fellow designers, sustainability advocates, and COTE members from across the country. We’ll be sharing updates on upcoming programs — including the Call for Proposals for the next 1.5°C Symposium — and raising a glass to low-carbon design and high spirits.
No RSVP needed. Just show up, bring a friend, and help spread the word!
Partners include AIA California and The William J. Worthen Foundation. Generously sponsored by Practice and Audiograph Beer Company.
AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE)
hashtag#Greenbuild hashtag#AIACOTE hashtag#AIALosAngeles hashtag#Sustainability hashtag#Architecture hashtag#ClimateAction hashtag#Networking hashtag#HappyHour

AIA|LA & LADWP Development Services: 2025 Quarterly Meetings
2025-11-05 12:00 - 13:00 | 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 an opportunity for AIA members to connect directly with LADWP leadership and to discuss opportunities and strategies to improve development services.
The schedule for 2025:
Wednesday, April 2 (12pm – 1pm) – RSVP HERE
Wednesday, June 4 (12pm – 1pm) – RSVP HERE
Wednesday, September 24 (12pm – 1:30pm) – RSVP HERE *in person. Location TBD in Downtown LA (AIA to identify host location)
Wednesday, November 5 (12pm – 1pm) – PLEASE NOTE: This meeting is being rescheduled, and we’ll have a new date/ time confirmed ASAP.
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.

MORE CONTEXT:
For the past 36+ months, AIA Los Angeles and LADWP have been organizing a quarterly series of roundtable discussions, which serve as an opportunity to further connect the architecture community and LADWP development services personnel. These quarterly roundtables help to establish a more collaborative partnership and facilitate opportunities to identify solutions to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
In general, the quarterly meetings serve as forums to:
1. Build trust and understanding between LADWP personnel and the private sector (architects/ designers/ engineers).
2. Develop compassion and empathy to better understand each other’s professional priorities and implementation tactics.
3. Allow idea exchange and interaction — to learn from each other and to test out new methods and performance standards.
4. Establish greater context for how environmental justice, shade equity, climate mitigation, urban heat island, tree canopy, building decarbonization, housing affordability, 100% electrification, on-site generation, and urban design are all inter-related (and therefore require a more connected partnership between LADWP and the architecture community implementing the infrastructure framework to address all of these inter-related challenges).
5. Expedite and streamline LADPW’s development services.
More specifically, the quarterly forums allow for:
1. Improve the architects’ understanding of specific LADWP rules, regulations, standards, and procedures – and offer helpful insight on how to better improve those specific regulations and standards to achieve more optimal outcomes.
2. Create pathways to achieve greater flexibility and clarity of purpose for why certain variances and modifications are necessary, helpful, and/or mutually beneficial.
3. Identify obstacles to implementation
4. Establish pilot programs to test out new ideas and innovative solutions.
5. Establish an inventory of code-related obstacles and analyze which codes and regulations may need to be modified/ altered to achieve more effective outcomes
6. Map out strategies for how to better leverage resources
7. Prioritize changes in equipment size, models, standards, and ‘cultural habits’ that can assist in delivering positive results (healthier urban design, greater biodiversity, safer working conditions, a more beautiful and less stressful public realm, etc.)
8. Identify opportunities to leverage best practices from Southern California Edison as it relate to design standards and protocols that promote more verdant ecosystems in integration with utility infrastructure (relationship between street trees and landscaping w/ utility infrastructure, etc) and the ability to utilize alternative materials that promote a ‘greener,’ and less stressful public realm.
9. The exploration of third-party services, peer review, and self-certification, etc.
Some of the direct outcomes achieved to date include:
1. Improved staffing and processing times at BOE for utility permits
2. More permissible variances for staging areas and transformer pads, etc.
3. Streamlined processes for 100% affordable housing (ED #1)
4. Amortization of line extensions, etc
5. Deeper trust between AIA Los Angeles and LADWP leadership
In the future, as the impact of these sessions further evolves and demonstrates results, we’d like to make certain:
1. These forums serve as a model for how other LA City departments can deepen relationships with the private sector to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
2. Deepen the trust between LADWP and the citizens/ residents/ professionals/ clients it serves.
We applaud LADWP’s leadership in prioritizing the partnership between AIA Los Angeles and the utility. If LADWP’s communication team can help us communicate and celebrate the impact of these forums, the general public will benefit from a deeper understanding of how public and private partnerships can help achieve positive results for all.
For more information about AIA LA GO!, the AIA LA Government Outreach Committee, please CLICK HERE.

Joint AIA|LA UDC & APA LA Section Community Mixer
2025-11-19 18:00 - 21:00 | Mrs. Fish, 448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA, 90013, United States
Joint LA AIA UDC & APA LA Section Community Mixer
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Mrs. Fish, 448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Schedule:

6:00 PM – Networking & Welcome
7:00 PM – Speaker Remarks
8:00 PM – Reception

Description:
The LA AIA Urban Design Committee (UDC), in collaboration with the APA Los Angeles Section, is proud to host the 2nd Annual Community Mixter at Mrs. Fish in Downtown Los Angeles. This year’s event will focus on mobility and community planning initiatives surrounding major events such as LA28. Short talks will be given by representatives from LA Metro and other community-based organizations.
Please note: This event does not seek sponsorship directly from LA28.
Background:
The Mixter aims to facilitate an exchange of ideas inspired by LA28’s “lasting legacy” initiative, as requested by the International Olympic Committee, which emphasizes identifying meaningful local investments beyond the Games. This aligns with the LA AIA UDC’s ongoing commitment to community planning for large-scale events shaping Los Angeles.
Building on discussions from LA AIA’s Ecompass 2023, this event continues the conversation on equitable, healthy, and inclusive outcomes that strengthen Los Angeles communities impacted by transformative urban events.
Discussion Topics:
Guests are encouraged to share brief insights on one or more of the following themes:

Mobility for Large Events
Local Initiatives
International Transit-Oriented Communities
Community Planning Concepts

This is an informal gathering—no PowerPoint or formal presentation is required.
Invited Guests Include:

Livable Communities
UCLA / International Fellow
ACLA
AIA|LA JEDI
SCAG
SoLa Impact

Parking & Transit:
AIA|LA encourages everyone to walk, bike, or ride METRO.
The AIA|LA Urban Design Committee Mission Statement
Does anyone care about urban space today? Whatever happened to visionary urban design? Where is the model for Los Angeles? Is there a model for Los Angeles? Isn’t it the architect’s job to design the city? Can we envision and support non-commercialized collective spaces? Can we be radically optimistic about the future without seeming naive? Doesn’t the term “Urban Design” sound banal, academic, and indeterminate? Why is that? Can we change that? Is there political viability for large-scale ambitious planning initiatives? How can infrastructural investment alter and improve the way the city functions? What is the new mayor going to do about homelessness, and how can we, as architects, help? Not to say anything about the policy, regulations, and red tape that govern land use, planning, and development, but if we had to say something about it, where would we even start? What about the history of redlining, discriminatory lending practices, and segregation that has produced our present urban patterns? Can architects help foster an agenda of spatial equity in the city? Can small-scale interventions be more effective than large-scale propositions in making a more liveable city? How can return on investment be measured, other than in dollars and cents? Mass Timber sounds great, but what’s the story behind the sustainability argument? How can we develop the city more sustainably? Remember all that fuss about the LA River? What’s going on there? Same question, but about the Olympics? How much impact can an individual building have on the life of a city? What are the best practices for designing housing today? How can architects best respond to the current State of Emergency? Can we, as a profession, be more proactive in proposing solutions that we want to see implemented?
The AIA|LA Urban Design Committee believes that we can, and should. Our mission is about asking questions, fostering discussions, proposing solutions, and illustrating visions for the future of Los Angeles.

AIA|LA Urban Design Committee Leadership:

Kelly Nicholas, AIA, LEED AP BD+C – Associate, ZGF ARCHITECTS & Chair, AIA|LA Urban Design Committee
Kelly is a licensed architect practicing at ZGF Architects in Downtown Los Angeles. A graduate of Rice University, she has over 15 years of experience in the design and construction industry, working on a variety of project types while practicing at firms in Singapore, Texas, New York, and California. Having spent most of her adult life living in downtowns of major cities, her passion for urban density, adaptive reuse, public transit, and walkability make her an enthusiastic advocate of the Urban Design Committee and its initiatives.

Jonathan Rieke, AIA – Project Leader, West of West & Past-Chair, AIA|LA Urban Design Committee
Jonathan is a Project Leader at West of West, with experience ranging from residential interiors to large-scale ground-up development projects. He is a registered architect in California, Michigan, and Ohio and has previously worked as a designer for several award-winning firms including The Los Angeles Design Group, Bjarke Ingels Group, and Morphosis Architects. Jonathan has held academic positions at the University of Southern California, The Ohio State University, and Kent State University where he was the Schidlowski Emerging Faculty Fellow. Jonathan received his Master of Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, where he was awarded the James Templeton Kelley Prize for best graduate thesis, and his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Ohio State University.

Darnell Parker II, Assoc. AIA – Founder & CEO, Global Youth Camp & Vice-Chair, AIA|LA Urban Design Committee
Darnell Parker II is an experienced Design Professional II, Senior Designer, and Job Captain with more than five years of professional work experience in architecture and two years of planning. He is most passionate about helping others, particularly black and brown youth around the globe. As the former, United States Returned Peace Corps Volunteer of the Republic of Moldova, AmeriCorps Vista Volunteer at Community Housing Partners (Christiansburg, Virginia), Lieutenant Governor at Badger Boys State (Ripon, Wisconsin), President of the NOMA Student Chapter at Virginia Tech, Chairman and Director of Membership of APA Los Angeles Section, and Co-Chair of Membership of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Los Angeles, he decided to start the Global Youth Camp AEP. Darnell holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Architecture as well as a Master’s in Urban Regional Planning obtained from an accredited college at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

AIA|LA Legislative Day at City Hall 2025
2025-12-05 08:00 - 17:00 | Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90012
AIA|LA Legislative Day at City Hall: Connecting Architects & Designers with Civic Leadership
This year, with the exception of a few meetings, we will be meeting in person with our civic leaders at City Hall, which will help strengthen our connection to the policymakers shaping the built environment. We will also have several virtual meetings on Zoom, as well.

Shape the Future of LA’s Built Environment: Join AIA|LA Legislative Day at City Hall!
Your City. Your Expertise. Your Voice.
AIA|LA Legislative Day(s) at City Hall: December 4-10, 2025
Calling all Architects & Designers!
The future of Los Angeles is being shaped right now, in the halls of power, through policies that directly impact our built environment. AIA|LA Legislative Day(s) at City Hall is your unparalleled opportunity to step forward, connect directly with civic leaders, and ensure that the voice of design is not just heard, but leads the conversation.
This isn’t just a series of meetings; it’s a powerful, collective movement to advocate for smarter, more resilient, and more equitable development in our city.
Why Your Participation is Absolutely Critical:
Be the Expert Voice: Policymakers need your specialized knowledge on planning, land use, zoning, and building codes. Without you, crucial decisions are made in a vacuum.
Drive Real Change: Directly influence the policies that will define LA’s future – from urgently needed housing affordability and sustainable development to the revitalization of our civic core.
Elevate Our Profession: Demonstrate the indispensable value of architects and designers, solidifying our seat at the decision-making table and shaping the built environment with purpose.
Network & Empower: Connect with passionate peers, amplify your impact, and be part of a community actively building a better Los Angeles for everyone.
This year, we’re returning to City Hall in person, strengthening our direct connection with the policymakers who need your insights most! A few virtual meetings will also be available for flexibility.
Mandatory & Highly Recommended Orientation: Monday, December 1 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Virtual – Zoom) Join us to delve into the 2025 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform and prepare for impactful meetings. This is where you’ll gain the critical context and confidence to make your voice count. [RSVP FOR ORIENTATION HERE]
Spaces are limited – secure your spot and make your impact! Contact Will Wright at Will{@}aialosangeles.org to learn more about how you can contribute to shaping the future of our city.
Don’t just witness the future of LA being built – help design it! Join us. Your city needs you.
Together, let’s build a thriving Los Angeles for everyone!

AIA|LA Legislative Day(s) at City Hall
Our annual Legislative Day(s) at City Hall is scheduled over the course of several days from December 4 to December 10, and will be an in-person event at LA City Hall (except for a few that will be on zoom as noted below).

Monday, December 1
(4:00pm – 5:00pm) *On Zoom
The 2025 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform & Legislative Day at City Hall ORIENTATION (*mandatory & helpful)
Join this meeting to learn more about the 2025 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform and what to expect during our upcoming meetings for our annual meetings at Los Angeles City Hall.
RSVP HERE #Orientation
Thursday, December 4
(1:00 pm – 1:50pm)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Councilmember Ysabel Jurado – District 14
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 425
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP HERE.

(3:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Deputy Chief David Perez – Office of the Fire Marshal & Deputy Chief Joe Everett – Administrative Operations

Office of the Fire Marshal
200 N. Main Street, Room 1770
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP HERE.

Friday, December 5

(10:00 am – 11:00 am)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Office of Councilmember Rodriguez – District 7
200 N Spring Street, Rm 455
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP HERE.

(11:00 am – 11:45 am)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Office of Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky – District 5
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP HERE.

(1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Councilmember Adrin Nazarian – District 2
200 N. Spring St., Room 435
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP HERE.

(1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Office of Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez – District 1
200 N. Spring Street, Room 460
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP HERE.

(2:00 pm – 2:30 pm)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Office of Councilmember Traci Park – District 11
200 N. Spring Street, Room 410
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP HERE.

(3:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Councilmember Bob Blumenfield – District 3
200 N. Spring St. #465
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP HERE.

Monday, December 8

(12:00 pm – 1:00 pm)
AIA|LA Quarterly Meeting w/ Osama Younan, P.E. – General Manager, LADBS
On Zoom // RSVP HERE.

Tuesday, December 9

(9:00 am – 9:50 am)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Interim City Engineer Mata, Ms. Weintraub, AIA, & Mr. Moklebust, P.E., – Bureau of Engineering, City of LA
On Zoom // RSVP HERE.

(10:00 am – 11:00 am)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Mayor Karen Bass
On Zoom // RSVP HERE.

(1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)
AIA|LA meeting with Councilmember Nithya Raman – District 4
On Zoom // RSVP HERE.

MEETING(s) RESCHEDULED & CONFIRMED FOR 2026
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
(11:30am – 12:00pm)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Matt Szabo – City Administrative Officer

200 N. Main St. Suite 1500
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP HERE.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026
(2:00 pm – 2:50 pm)
AIA|LA meeting w/ Vince Bertoni – Director, Los Angeles City Planning & Kevin Keller – Executive Officer, Los Angeles City Planning
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 525
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP HERE.

If you’d like to get more involved in helping to shape our biggest advocacy event of the year, then please reach out to me at will@aialosangeles.org.
###
The 2025 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform (DRAFT)
The 2024 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform
The 2023 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform
The 2022 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform
The 2021 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform
The 2020 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform
The 2019 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform
The 2018 AIA|LA Advocacy Platform
2018
2017
2014

2013
2012

Strategic objectives include:

To change the nature of the architecture profession and inspire architects to become more civically engaged, i.e., to be a designer and a citizen, is one and the same.
To change the culture of our City and our civic leadership, architects and system-wide design-thinking need to become a more integral aspect of their mental landscape.

We aim to achieve this by creating:

An open and inclusive initiative that is strategically programmed with relevant and progressive action items and policy platforms, which will further connect the shared values of a multi-disciplinary group of architects, urban designers, city planners, and policymakers to help make a healthier, more beautiful, and more highly functional Los Angeles region.
A committed group of task-force member volunteers (Political Outreach Committee), comprised of architects, that establishes an annual slate of issue briefs and policy recommendations.
Targeted meetings with council members, deputy mayors, general managers, and commissioners. We aim to schedule the critical mass of these meetings on one day (December 3, 2020) at Los Angeles City Hall. However, additional meetings will be coordinated throughout the year with more public agencies throughout the region, such as METRO, Los Angeles County, LAUSD, and the cities of Culver City, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Inglewood, Beverly Hills, etc.

Will you join us?
To be successful, AIA|LA Legislative Day at City Hall will rely on a committed group of AIA members to serve as a critical leadership resource. If you’re interested in getting more involved, please RSVP to will@aialosangeles.org to receive more details.
To prepare for December 6th, we will organize a virtual debriefing roundtable discussion in advance to share our annual advocacy platform and bring everyone up to speed on how to best prepare for our annual Legislative Day at City Hall.
To discover which City Council District you live in, check online HERE.

Please note: this is an exclusive opportunity for AIA members, AIA Associates, and AIA Allied Affiliated Members. If you’d like to join the AIA, then please CLICK HERE for more details.
The Leadership of the AIA|LA Government Outreach (GO!) Committee:

2025 Co-Chair: John Arnold, AIA – Partner, KFA Architecture
2025 Co-Chair: Carlos Augusto Garcia, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP – Associate Principal, Brooks + Scarpa
2024 Co-Chair: John Arnold, AIA – Partner, KFA Architecture
2024 Co-Chair: Carlos Augusto Garcia, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP – Associate Principal, Brooks + Scarpa
2023 Co-Chair: Chava Danielson, AIA – Principal, DSH // architecture
2023 Co-Chair: Rick Corsini, AIA – Principal, Corsini Stark Architects
Past Co-Chair: Casey Shenton Hughes, AIA –Principal, Casey Hughes Architects (CHA)
Past Co-Chair: Tracy Stone, AIA, LEED AP BD+C – Principal Architect, Tracy A. Stone Architect

John Arnold, AIA – Partner, KFA Architecture
With an interest in housing, landscape, and urban design, John has contributed to much of KFA’s multi-family portfolio, starting in 1999, seeking to join great living spaces with their sites and the city as a whole. He has specialized in high-density urban projects and affordable/special needs buildings throughout Los Angeles. Concurrently, John heads up KFA’s adaptive reuse work and has completed over a dozen projects in existing buildings with historic designation. John enjoys community outreach and participates in many of KFA’s public presentations. He is actively involved in his South LA neighborhood of Jefferson Park with planning and zoning issues, being a long-time board member of the United Neighborhoods NC. John is currently serving on AIA|LA’s Board of Directors as AIA CA Representative and serves on the board of Abode Communities Housing. In 2023, John started the restoration of the historic Paul Williams residence in West Adams.

Carlos Augusto Garcia, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP – Associate Principal, BROOKS + SCARPA
Carlos Augusto Garcia is a designer, artist, and Associate Principal at Brooks + Scarpa where he is responsible for managing and hiring staff, managing projects and developing office operations and procedures. He has 15 years of industry expertise, specializing in strategic planning, design research, sustainability, wellness, and carbon reduction. His global outlook manifests through work with UIA World Congress of Architects, New Buildings Institute, National Endowment for the Arts, and Los Angeles City Planning’s Urban Design Studio. Carlos serves on AIA National COTE Leadership Group, ICC, NCARB, and ASHRAE committees, influencing climate action, greenhouse gas standards, and inclusivity in the industry of architecture. His passion was ignited by his start in emergency management and disaster recovery in post-Katrina New Orleans, where he completed B.Arch and M.Arch degrees from Tulane University. He is committed to pursuing dignity in practice, promoting equity in both membership and leadership.

For more information, please contact:

Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
American Institute of Architects | Los Angeles Chapter
(213) 639-0764
will@aialosangeles.org

Roundtable w/ Osama Younan, P.E.
2025-12-08 12:00 - 13:00 | 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 forums allow AIA members to connect directly with LADBS leadership and hear status updates and emerging initiatives.
If you have an item, issue, or a specific topic you’d like added to the agenda, please email Will@aialosangeles.org.

1. Monday, March 17 (12pm – 1pm) = RSVP HERE
2. Monday, June 16 (12pm – 1pm) = RSVP HERE
3. Monday, September 15 (12pm – 1pm) = RSVP HERE
4. Monday, December 8 (12pm – 1pm) = 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 8, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 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, June 16, 2025 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PST) – [RSVP HERE]
Monday, September 15, 2025 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PST) – [RSVP HERE]
Monday, December 8, 2025 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PST) – [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.

2025 AIA|LA Architecture in Healthcare Holiday Party & Fundraiser
2025-12-10 17:00 - 19:00 | ARUP, 900 Wilshire Blvd 19th floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90017, United States
EVENT DETAILS
Please join us and celebrate the holidays with your fellow healthcare designers! This party and fundraiser will benefit Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
We will be raising funds through a lively auction for Holidays from the Heart! Through Holidays from the Heart sponsorship, we seek to create hope for families by fulfilling some of their basic needs and alleviating some of the stress felt during the holiday season.
This amazing annual program supports hundreds of the most financially challenged patient families every year at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. In lieu of a ticket fee for this event, please consider a donation of item(s) for our auction, or you may also donate toys directly to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles using their online registry.

Visit these links to show your support:
Holidays from the Heart & CHLA toy donation registry
Instructions regarding donations for auction items will be emailed closer to the date.

Thank you and best wishes to everyone and their friends & families this holiday season!
– AIA|LA Healthcare Committee

Meet the Practices - HOK LA
2026-01-20 17:30 - 19:30 | HOK, 757 S Alameda St, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA, 90021, United States
Meet the Practices – HOK LA
Please join us for a tour of HOK in Los Angeles. HOK is a global provider of planning, design and delivery solutions for the built environment. Since the ﬁrm’s founding in 1955, HOK has developed into one of the world’s largest, most diverse and respected design practices. We employ more than 1,700 professionals linked across a global network of 27 ofﬁces on three continents. Industry surveys consistently rank HOK among the leading ﬁrms in numerous building types, specialties and regions, and we have earned many awards and honors for our projects, people and practice.
Light Bites and Drinks will be served.
Where:
HOK
757 South Alameda Street, Suite 400 | Los Angeles, CA 90021 USA
Parking Info:
Onsite ROW DTLA Parking Garage available, first 2 hours free.
ChargePoint EV stations are located on levels 1 and 3.
Tesla Supercharger stations are located on level 5.
Click here to download the Parking Map.
Please plan accordingly.

The AIA|LA “Meet the Practices” is a series of mixers and networking opportunities presented by the AIA|LA Professional Practice Committee

The Poetry of Illumination: Light, Mood, and Human Experience
2026-01-22 18:00 - 20:30 | Lutron Experience Center, 333 S Grand Ave Suite #1650, Los Angeles, CA, 90071, United States
Photo Credit: Jason O’Rear

*Note to all registrants: When purchasing a ticket, please double check that the address + zip code that you provide matches the billing information on the card you are using. To purchase a ticket, please select the quantity of tickets you want next to the proper ticket tier using the + sign, and then select “Get Tickets.”

EVENT DETAILS
Join us for an intimate panel discussion exploring the artistic and uniquely expressive potential of lighting in the built environment. Our panel of experts, featuring a lighting designer, architect, interior designer, and technology integrator, will examine the intersection of human-centric design, emerging lighting technology, and evocative spatial experiences made possible through light.
The event will also feature a brief demonstration from the Lutron Los Angeles Design Studio with real-time examples of applications and effects discussed in the panel, along with ample time for networking before and after the discussion.
MODERATOR

Carley Knobloch – Technology Advisor, AudioVisions
Residential Technology and Lighting Designer Carley Knobloch transforms houses into brilliantly responsive homes where technology whispers rather than shouts. She has been a TV personality for over a decade, regularly appearing on shows like the Today Show and as HGTV’s Smart Home guru. A recent flood-turned-renovation sparked her passion for remodeling and unique perspective at the intersection of design and smart home technology. She now bridges the gap between architects, interior designers, and home automation specialists, creating “intelligent homes” that blend technology and beauty without compromising a home’s aesthetic or usability. Carley’s 15-year career as a technology expert includes collaborations with premier brands like LG, Samsung, Citibank and Google. Her work has been featured in publications like Real Simple, Good Housekeeping and Elle Decor.

SPEAKERS

Chris Shanley – Principal, Marmol Radziner
Chris has been with Marmol Radziner since 1992. Beginning with Chris’ role as the Project Manager of the Kaufmann House restoration, Chris has been integral to the firm’s historic preservation portfolio. Chris’ work includes the restoration of mid-century modern structures, by Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, and Cliff May, the Santa Fe Federal Savings and Loan by E. Stewart Williams, and the Century Plaza Hotel by Minoru Yamasaki. Chris is also involved with new construction, including a residence on Maui and multiple residences in Malibu. Chris also oversees the firm’s large-scale development projects, including the Cross Creek Ranch Development project in Malibu.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie-Mellon University.

Teal Brogden, IALD, MIES, LC – Senior Principal & President, HLB Lighting Design
As an avid listener, Teal enjoys the refinement that comes with vetting concepts in a collaborative team forum. Just as there is balance inherent in light and shadow, so too comes the balance of art and science, aspiration and pragmatism, in the final solution.
Teal’s combined background in the arts and engineering puts her at ease with both the ephemeral and technical challenges inherent in lighting design. Her holistic design perspective has been honed and applied over three decades of industry leadership and iconic project work, making her an invaluable team member that elevates the aspirations of every project she is involved in.
Teal is a Senior Principal and President at HLB lighting design and a leader in HLB’s West Coast, national and international efforts. She is a widely recognized award-winning industry leader and contributes to the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), and a Board Advisor to the Rocky Mountain Lighting Academy.

Carlos Madrid III – SOM
Carlos Madrid III is a Senior Associate Principal in SOM’s Los Angeles studio with over two decades of experience designing buildings, spaces, and objects. With an aptitude for innovation, his award-winning design contributions are consistently recognized for a rational yet provocative approach, always driven by the betterment of the human experience.
Carlos’ notable accomplishments include a 150,000-square-foot headquarters for The Trade Desk in New York City; multiple projects for Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and a new bus shelter program for the City of Los Angeles that addresses social equity and climate change.
Currently, he is working on the new Phu Quoc Convention Center in Vietnam, an academic building for the School of Engineering at LMU and an urban furniture program for Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES – AIA CES: 2.0 LU|HSW Approved
Participants will be able to identify and describe at least three layered lighting strategies when evaluating existing or proposed architectural projects with sufficient detail to explain how each strategy contributes to spatial experience and occupant well-being.
Participants will be able to analyze and articulate the relationship between lighting design techniques and human circadian rhythms when reviewing interior environments in their practice by connecting specific lighting characteristics such as color temperature and intensity to their biological and psychological impacts.
Participants will be able to evaluate and recommend appropriate applications of warm-dim and tunable lighting technologies within the context of specific project types and client needs by weighing factors including wellness goals, budget considerations, and technical integration requirements.
Participants will be able to communicate and collaborate more effectively with lighting designers and technology integrators during the design and specification process using accurate terminology and demonstrating understanding of both artistic intent and technical implementation of holistic lighting approaches.

IMPORTANT PARKING DETAILS
The Lutron Design Studio is located at 333 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1650, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
If you are driving, please park in the garage located at 330 South Hope Street. (Use this address for your GPS.)
Enter the garage and turn LEFT. Valet is complimentary and straight ahead on the P1 level.
Make your way to the building lobby via the elevator in the parking garage and check in with the team
at the security desk to access the showroom, located on the 16th floor.
For any questions or concerns, please call Ericson Hernandez directly at 310-498-0946.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Architects Designing Furniture: The Crossover of Craft & Space
2026-02-12 18:00 - 20:30 | Tribù Flagship Store LA, 8935 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, CA, 90048, United States
FOUR SEASONS THE SURFCLUB – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HOSPITALITY
Image Courtesy of Tribù
EVENT DETAILS
Join AIA | LA Interior Architecture Committee and Tribù for an evening exploring the creative crossover between architecture, interiors, and furniture design—and how thinking at the scale of an object can transform the way we shape space.
Hosted inside the beautifully curated Tribù showroom, this program features Marc Merckx, William Hefner, and Cory Grosser —practitioners who move fluidly between room and object and bring real-world insights on process, craft, culture, and collaboration.
Together, the panel will explore how designers translate spatial thinking into furniture (and back again), what shifts in materiality and detailing across scales, and how teams navigate constraints like performance, ergonomics, and production—without losing the original design intent. Grounded in built work, the conversation will also consider how thoughtful design shapes daily experience and creative culture, and how interdisciplinary collaboration strengthens both the work and the communities it serves.
Rather than a free-form panel, the evening is designed as a guided, MC’d conversation led by Daniel Glaser and Pearse Lumb of Tribù, with clear themes to keep the pace strong—plus built-in moments to bring the audience in. Expect a lively discussion, practical takeaways, and time to connect over food and drinks among the collections.

SPEAKERS

Marc Merckx
Marc Merckx is an architect and furniture designer whose work bridges the disciplines of architecture, interiors, and product design. He designed the Tribù showroom and is also a designer of Tribù furniture collections, bringing a rare perspective on how spatial concepts translate into objects—and how objects, in turn, shape the experience of a space. His work is defined by a commitment to craft, materiality, and the thoughtful relationship between form, comfort, and environment.

William Hefner
William Hefner is a fifth-generation Californian and the founder of the architecture and design firm Studio William Hefner. Established in 1989 in Los Angeles, the practice encompasses new and restoration architecture, interior and furniture design, and landscape architecture and design, with a focus on luxury homes for modern living. Known for his versatility in both traditional and modernist architecture, William has created landmark estates in a range of styles that share a devotion to craft and detail. His interest in environmental building has led to the application of sustainable practices throughout his portfolio. His work has been widely published in design books and magazines in the United States and abroad, including Architectural Digest, Wall Street Journal, and beyond. William is the author of three books, California Homes, California Homes II, and Chateau des Fleurs, with a fourth set to be released in Spring 2027 with Rizzoli. He and his family split their time between Los Angeles and Montecito.

Cory Grosser
Cory Grosser is an American product designer, interior architect, and art director. He is known for Happy Minimalism™, a design philosophy centered on clarity, reduction, and optimism. A professor at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Grosser’s work focuses on how design decisions shape human behavior, understanding, and trust.

LOCATION
Tribù Flagship Store LA
8935 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048

PARKING
Plenty of parking is available in the Tribù parking lot.

TICKET PURCHASE INSTRUCTIONS & SUPPORT

*Note to all registrants: When purchasing a ticket, please double check that the address + zip code that you provide matches the billing information on the card you are using.*
To purchase a ticket, please select the quantity of tickets you want next to the proper ticket tier using the + sign, and then select “Get Tickets.”

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!

AIA|LA Sponsorship Success Webinar
2026-02-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual on Zoom
Please click here to view this presentation on our AIA|LA YouTube Channel.
EVENT DETAILS
Please join us for an informative Sponsorship Success Webinar presented by Kim Patten, AIA & Jennifer Doublet, AIA from the Women in Architecture Committee. The WiA Committee has always excelled in sponsorships and last year they raised close to $100,000!
Learn how to find sponsors for your event by identifying the right sponsors, attracting them, contacting them, and creating an appealing sponsorship presentation. Kim and Jennifer will present for 20 minutes and then a Q&A will follow. The webinar will be virtual over ZOOM, and the link will be sent to all registrants 24 hours prior to the event.
This webinar is FREE to attend, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!

HOSTS

Kim Patten, AIA – 2026 Co-Chair, Women in Architecture Committee
Kim Patten is a passionate academic planner, process and sustainable strategy education leader in the Los Angeles office.
As Partner and Steinberg Hart’s Higher Education Practice Leader, Kim helps clients navigate complex problems with strategic research, skillful design and planning solutions to achieve direction and clarity. Working with academic institutions across the country, her partnership approach creates an environment to collaborate, plan and discover paths unique to that client.
She is a recognized leader for the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) where she served as the Pacific Region Chair, as a member of the Finance and Audit and Facilities Planning Academy committees. She also serves on the planning committee for the AIA|LA Women in Architecture annual Powerful conference, and was recognized as one of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2022 Women of Influence in Construction, Engineering, and Architecture. Kim holds a Bachelors in Architecture from the University of Southern California.

Jennifer Doublet, AIA – 2026 Vice Co-Chair, Women in Architecture Committee
Jennifer Doublet, AIA, is a Senior Project Manager and Director of Business Development for Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects with offices in Los Angeles and South Florida. She has been a practicing design professional since 1995 with decades of experience in design, construction and education.

AIA|LA & LADWP Development Services: 2026 Quarterly Meetings
2026-03-05 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.

2026 Technology Conference: AI: Architectural Intelligence
2026-03-13 08:00 - 17:15 | Center for Communities, 4450 West Adams, Los Angeles, CA, 90016
Enjoy a summary Op-ed of the conference here! Courtesy of James (JED) Donaldson, AIA, and Denis Vitoreli, AIA, LEED Green Associate.
Check out our presentations from the AIA|LA 2026 Tech Conference!
“AI Won’t Take Our Jobs” from the 2026 Tech Conference by Alison Mug, Assoc AIA & Mary Clare Garrity, Allied AIA, Assoc IIDA, LEED AP, PCCP.

“Co-Intelligence: Building A Smarter Design Practice ” by Jason Rostar, AIA & Roan Isaku, AIA

“The Architecture of Intelligence: Measuring What Matters (And Turning Buildings Into Living Systems)” – Kimon Onuma, FAIA

“Designing With Intelligence” – Vedran Dzebic, PhD

“Between two Failure: The Pursuit of Digital Intelligence” – by Enrique Galicia & Leo Salce.

“The Three Tiers of Co-Intelligence” – AIA|LA 2026 Tech Conference

“Closing the Gap: Aligning Architects, Engineers, and Builders” – Maria Victoria Ortega, Architect Intl. AIA

EVENT DETAILS
On Friday, March 13, 2026 please join the AIA Los Angeles TAP + Professional Practice Committees for the 2026 Technology Conference: AI: Architectural Intelligence.
In Los Angeles, resilience is not an abstract idea, it’s a lived experience. Our hillsides still bear the marks of wildfire, our communities rise from ash and drought, and our studios are filled with people determined to design a more hopeful future. As architects, we’re reshaping more than rebuilding—confronting scarcity, loss, and systemic vulnerability. Technology is enabling it all, embedding intelligence into design and delivery, accelerating housing recovery, addressing resource shortages, and keeping firms agile amid shifting talent and climate pressures.
AI: Architectural Intelligence calls us to redefine what intelligence means in architecture—moving beyond tools to create systems that learn, anticipate, and evolve with the communities they serve. This year’s conference explores a new paradigm: not technology shaping architecture, but architecture shaping the intelligence of technology.

AIA CES: 6.0 LU|HSW applied for.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By participating in this conference, attendees will be able to:

1. Evaluate how AI-enabled design systems can enhance community resilience by anticipating and mitigating risks related to wildfire, drought, housing recovery, and climate-driven hazards, supporting decisions that protect public health, safety, and welfare.

2. Apply principles of tech-enabled resilience to integrate artificial intelligence, data-informed workflows, and adaptive modeling into architectural practice in ways that improve environmental performance, resource efficiency, and long-term occupant well-being.

3. Analyze the role of architectural leadership in shaping ethical and responsible AI systems, ensuring that emerging technologies support equitable outcomes, reduce systemic vulnerability, and align with climate-responsive and resilience-focused design goals.

4. Assess how intelligent design and delivery platforms can support zero-net-carbon strategies, including lifecycle analysis, predictive performance modeling, and informed material and energy decisions that reduce environmental impact over time.

5. Identify strategies for leveraging AI and advanced technologies to accelerate resilient housing and infrastructure solutions, particularly in post-disaster and resource-constrained contexts, while maintaining safety, durability, and community trust.

6. Synthesize lessons from case studies and expert-led discussions to inform firm-wide and project-level decision-making that strengthens climate adaptation, risk management, and the integration of intelligent systems into architectural practice.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON SPEAKERS AND THE PROGRAM.

Become a sponsor! Click here to support the 2026 Technology Conference!
**Pre-Paid Parking Available for $10 HERE, otherwise parking is $15 on the day.**

TICKET PURCHASE INSTRUCTIONS & SUPPORT

*Note to all registrants: When purchasing a ticket, please double check that the address + zip code that you provide matches the billing information on the card you are using.*

To purchase a ticket, please select the quantity of tickets you want next to the proper ticket tier using the + sign, and then select “Get Tickets.”

South Park Walking Tour
2026-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Peacock Place at L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90015, United States
EVENT DETAILS
This a walking tour of the South Park area of Downtown Los Angeles, including L.A. Live. We’ll be stopping at 15 landmarks in the area and discussing how each has contributed to the transformation of this area. Please plan to arrive BEFORE 10am so we can move on with the full group.

MEETING LOCATION:
Peacock Place at L.A. Live (800 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015)
Click here to view & download the walking tour map.

TOUR HOST

Nate Cherry, FAIA – Director, Perkins Eastman
“Cities are our greatest invention, because they are created as a uniquely collective act.”

Nate has lived and practiced in major cities throughout North America. “Because of the significant challenges cities now face today—climate change, homelessness, lack of affordability and the need to innovate, to name a few—city leaders are moving from simple ‘extractive’ to more complex, ‘regenerative’ models. Many are thinking much more about the interplay of built, natural, and demographic systems,” he says. “Developers have a significant role in leveraging capital improvements and making growth happen; but promoting biodiversity and improving the natural environment while giving stakeholders a voice through collective co-authorship are just as important.”
Since 1995, Nate’s work has included large redevelopment projects such as sports and entertainment, transit-oriented mixed use, innovation hubs, and airport-related developments. Nate’s services include project strategy, concept design, outreach and research.
Nate is a panelist and speaker at national conferences and universities and is a recognized thought leader on the nexus between strategy, design, and human behavior in cities. His efforts to create new models for urban design have been recognized with more than a hundred local, state, and national awards.

AIA CES: 2 LU Approved
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Discuss the history of South Park, who its development partners were, and how they worked together.
2. Address the Role of the Community Redevelopment Agency and why it was dissolved.
3. Discuss how L.A. LIVE! became a catalyst for growth throughout this neighborhood
4. Learn how Community Benefits Agreements were critical, and how Flexible Entitlements drive growth in South Park.
5. Learn how the Signage Ordinance works
6. Explore the creative uses throughout South Park that complement entertainment.
7. Discuss catalytic investments in land use, open space, and mobility that have transformed the area.

PARKING
Street parking and parking lots are available throughout the area.

TICKET PURCHASE INSTRUCTIONS & SUPPORT

*Note to all registrants: When purchasing a ticket, please double check that the address + zip code that you provide matches the billing information on the card you are using.*
To purchase a ticket, please select the quantity of tickets you want next to the proper ticket tier using the + sign, and then select “Get Tickets.”

Quarterly Roundtable Discussion w/ Osama Younan, P.E. - March 2026
2026-03-16 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, March 16 (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.

Women of Carbon Documentary Screening
2026-03-26 17:30 - 20:00 | Center for Communities, 4450 West Adams, Los Angeles, CA, 90016
“When you purchase a ticket to the Women of Carbon screening, you’ll receive an exclusive AIA|LA coupon code for 10% off Member, Non-Member, or Student tickets to two of our signature upcoming programs: the 1.5°C Symposium taking place at Loyola Law School on April 17, 2026, and Powerful XIII, returning in early-October 2026. It’s our way of extending the conversation beyond the screening and rewarding your commitment to climate action and leadership with continued access to some of AIA|LA’s most impactful events of the year.”
EVENT DETAILS
In collaboration with AIA Los Angeles Women in Architecture and AIA Los Angeles COTE, The William J. Worthen Foundation is hosting a Women of Carbon documentary screening followed by a panel discussion—spotlighting the women redefining materials, methods, and leadership for a decarbonized built environment.
Join us for a documentary screening and conversation highlighting women transforming the construction industry while accelerating climate solutions. Directed by Basia Myszynski and Leonard Myszynski, Women of Carbon follows leaders advancing decarbonization, human health, and economic opportunity through innovative approaches to materials and construction—ranging from algae-based alternative cement and electrified manufacturing to mass timber and greener steel.
The film includes an inside look at the Portland International Airport Main Terminal expansion (including narration by Rena Simon of ZGF Architects), alongside perspectives from industry voices such as Leah Ellis, Susan Jones, Erica Spiritos, Kate Simonen, Mija Hubler, and Cristy Fiander. A panel discussion will follow the screening.
Funds raised will support the Foundation’s effort to translate our Building Decarbonization Practice Guides from English to Spanish for audiences across Latin America—work that goes beyond direct translation to thoughtfully unpack complex technical terms and make the guidance clear, engaging, and easy to apply. This helps hundreds more AEC professionals access practical, actionable solutions and bring them to real projects faster. Come for the film and conversation, and leave knowing your ticket helped remove a barrier to climate action and put high-impact knowledge into more hands.

Please click here to view the “Women of Carbon” Trailer. Please visit here to learn more about the production company behind this remarkable film.

Please click here to sponsor this incredible event!

SPEAKERS

Sophie Pennetier
Founder, Adjunct Faculty with SCI-Arc
Sophie Pennetier is a structural engineer with expertise in façades and sustainability. Her 18 years of experience span from consulting (with RFR, GNA, SHoP Construction, Arup) to being the Founder of Digne, Dignified Constructions Solutions, and Adjunct Faculty with SCI-Arc since ‘21. Sophie Pennetier teaches Structures and Embodied Carbon classes. Those two topics, alongside façades, are the core of her contributions to SCI-Arc Design Development projects.
Sophie’s elective class on embodied carbon responds to her students’ request to accelerate their knowledge in reducing upfront carbon. It supports their research projects on circular architecture and brings in internationally recognized industry trailblazers involved in policy, sustainability consulting, manufacturing, contracting, and circular economy. Her students’ work on embodied carbon has been applauded and sought after by major architecture and consulting firms and industry associations such as the Carbon Leadership Forum. Through such efforts, each year, upward of a hundred SCI-Arc students learn to grow the innovative and creative thinking the industry needs to address the built environment, leading to a significant contribution to climate change.
Sophie has published and presented her research internationally in scientific conferences, trade associations and journals, codes committees, and lectured at universities in Europe and the US. Serving on the Board of Directors of the Façade Tectonics Institute, she has developed the FTI Carbon group research and grown its educational content. In 202,3 she was awarded, in the individual category, the US Glass Sustainability Award for her contributions to industry research and education.

Rena Simon, AIA, LEED AP
Principal, ZGF
Rena Simon is a designer of many facets: part storyteller, part artist, and part innovator. She intentionally delves into the heart of clients’ missions and cultures to find the right solution.
Her deep appreciation of the natural world serves as her inspiration in connecting conceptual architectural ideas to the greater aspirations of her clients. Her calm and intentional leadership is demonstrated in her resolute commitment to tackling any design problem and knack for motivating and mentoring younger designers.

Heidi Creighton, FAIA, LEED Fellow, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador
Senior Design Manager
City of Santa Monica
As a Senior Design Manager at the City of Santa Monica, Heidi is responsible for the planning, design, construction, and management of capital improvements for architectural and park projects for city-owned/ leased facilities to meet the needs of the community and city staff. The City’s goals to achieve water self-sufficiency, zero waste, and carbon neutrality require that Sustainability be at the forefront of project management and serves as a catalyst for public sector leadership in building practices.
Heidi is FAIA, LEED Fellow, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, and creator of the Collective Impact speaker series. Previously, Heidi was VP of Sustainability at Skanska and Principal at Buro Happold. Heidi served on the USGBC California Board of Directors from 2013 to 2019. She also served on the AIA California’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) steering committee from 2020 to 2022, which was charged with elevating AIA California’s position as a global leader addressing the challenges of climate change and natural resource depletion.
Heidi’s most recent accolades include recognition by Globe Street for the Women of Influence Award in 2023, the World Architecture News (WAN) for the Female Frontiers Award for Social Change in 2022, USGBC-LA’s 2021 Heart of the Chapter Award, as well as elevation to AIA’s College of Fellows in 2021.

Tara Barauskas
Executive Director
Community Corporation of Santa Monica
Community Corporation of Santa Monica is a nonprofit affordable housing organization based in Santa Monica, California. Joining in 2016, she oversees the functional areas of the organization, including management of over 2,000 units of affordable housing, housing development, resident services, maintenance, and administration of 100 staff. Ms. Barauskas has over 25 years of experience in affordable housing development, having worked at both for-profit and non-profit affordable housing development organizations prior to joining Community Corporation.
Her past experience includes overseeing and managing the development process of numerous projects throughout California. Ms. Barauskas holds a Bachelors’ Degree in English from California State University, Long Beach, and a LEED AP Accreditation from the US Green Building Council.
Tara currently serves on several Boards – the Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council, Housing California, the Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council, and the Westside Urban Forum. In addition, she is a member of the advisory council of the UCLA Ziman Affordable Housing Council. She previously served on the Board of Directors (including one year as Chair) for the Southern California Association of Non-profit Housing (SCANPH), a nonprofit membership organization that advocates for effective affordable housing policy throughout Southern California.
Tara also leads the housing committee of the Committee for Racial Justice. She is passionate about her Lithuanian heritage, the environment, and affordable housing. Tara is an active Lithuanian community member, teaching at the local Saturday language school and serving on the Board of the National Lithuanian Scouts Association. She lives in Playa del Rey with her two sons.

Sarah Rege, AIA, DBIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, NCARB, TRUE Advisor, Fitwel Ambassador
Senior Sustainability Director, Webcor
As Webcor’s Senior Director of Sustainability, Sarah Rege leads the company’s sustainability initiatives across California, driving innovation in green building practices. With over 25 years in the AEC industry, her expertise spans commercial office, civic and administrative buildings, high-rise multifamily residential, and early childhood education projects. Throughout her career, she has prioritized community engagement and the seamless integration of sustainable strategies across diverse delivery models. Before joining Webcor, Sarah served as Principal and Senior Project Manager at Perkins&Will, leading the San Francisco Studio’s Commercial & Civic Market. Her career merges two lifelong passions—art and building—bringing a unique design perspective rooted in sustainability. A steadfast advocate for healthy buildings, she views architecture as an ecosystem where materials, people, and design elements work in harmony to create lasting, functional, and beautiful structures that enrich their communities.

Esmeralda Ward, AIA, LEED AP
Associate Principal, NAC Architecture
Moderator
Esmeralda Ward is an Associate Principal at NAC Architecture with over 20 years of experience in designing sustainable, resilient environments that support learning, wellness, and community enrichment. A recognized leader in LEED, CHPS, and zero net energy strategies, she also spearheads NAC’s firm-wide sustainability initiatives, integrating environmental goals with business operations.
Esmeralda’s approach challenges conventional norms, advocating for deep sustainability aligned with client values and long-term impact. Her leadership brings clarity and optimism to the climate conversation, emphasizing design as a tool for stewardship and change. She holds degrees from the University of Virginia and the Southern California Institute of Architecture and is transitioning into the role of NAC’s inaugural Director of Sustainability to further advance the intersection of design, sustainability, and hope.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES – AIA CES: 2.0 LU HSW Approved

Describe how women leaders across architecture, structural engineering, public-sector delivery, affordable housing, and sustainability leadership are accelerating decarbonization through actionable project decisions.

Identify and compare embodied-carbon reduction strategies tied to structure and facade choices, material selection, and circular approaches, and explain how these decisions reduce upfront emissions.

Explain how public agencies and project teams can convert climate commitments (e.g., carbon neutrality) into Owner’s Project Requirements, performance goals, and delivery practices that also support health and community outcomes.

Evaluate how decarbonization can be implemented in housing and development while balancing feasibility, long-term operations, resident services, and equitable outcomes.

Recognize how storytelling, mentorship, and education can move decarbonization from niche to norm by improving understanding of technical solutions and building buy-in across stakeholders.

Apply at least two panel-informed actions to a current project—such as setting carbon targets, prioritizing high-impact material swaps, or aligning sustainability goals with client mission and operations.

PARKING DETAILS
Street parking is available. Please be mindful of the signage, and please do not park in the lots of local businesses.

TICKET PURCHASE INSTRUCTIONS & SUPPORT

*Note to all registrants: When purchasing a ticket, please double check that the address + zip code that you provide matches the billing information on the card you are using.*
To purchase a ticket, please select the quantity of tickets you want next to the proper ticket tier using the + sign, and then select “Get Tickets.”

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THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS!

Q1 Small & Emerging Business Gathering
2026-04-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Operations by Design Office, 421 Colyton Street, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90013, United States
EVENT DETAILS
Join us for the Q1 Small & Emerging Business Gathering — an opportunity to connect with fellow architects and firm leaders navigating the realities of running and growing small practices. This session is designed to foster meaningful dialogue around the challenges and opportunities impacting small and emerging firms today. Our goal is to strengthen AIA engagement with smaller practitioners, create space for shared insights, and help build a collective voice for advocacy and change.

Come network with your peers, exchange strategies, and explore practical approaches to business growth, operations, technology, and leadership within small firms.

We look forward to seeing you there!

PARKING
There is plenty of street parking available!
