AIA|LA Urban Design Committee – Koreatown Walking Tour & Discussion

AIA|LA Urban Design Committee presents…

Koreatown Walking Tour & Discussion

Join the AIA|LA Urban Design Committee and Koreatown Youth Community Center on a guided walking tour of one of LA’s largest and most vibrant neighborhoods. The tour will be followed by a discussion of design solutions and ideas for a greater Koreatown.

Meet at 5th/Kenmore to begin tour. End at Silverlake Ramen in Chapman Plaza for discussion.

For a copy of the map of the tour and additional details, please CLICK HERE.

The tour will be guided by:

Shawn Kuk – Director of Community Planning and Development, Koreatown Youth Community Center

Kelly Nicholas, AIA, LEED AP BD+C – Associate, ZGF Architects

Bios & Headshots:

Shawn Kuk – Director of Community Planning and Development, Koreatown Youth Community Center

Shawn Kuk joined KYCC in 2021, and has since expanded his role to lead KYCC’s Environmental Services programs. Mr. Kuk is responsible for overseeing the agency’s efforts in improving the built environment through existing programs around urban greening, community beautification, affordable housing development and asset management. New programs are intended to guide future community advocacy efforts formed through research and development of more equitable and community appropriate urban planning and development policies. Prior to joining KYCC, Mr. Kuk worked with the Southern California Association of Governments and the City of Los Angeles, accumulating 14 years of professional experience in fields of urban planning and real estate development. Mr. Kuk earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA with a dual major in History and Asian American Studies, and his Master of Planning degree from USC in 2006.

Kelly Nicholas, AIA, LEED AP BD+C – Associate, ZGF Architects

Kelly has been practicing architecture for over 15 years, gaining experience on a variety of complex project types, and developing expertise in all phases of design and construction. After graduating from Rice University’s School of Architecture in Houston, Texas, she’s spent time working at firms in Singapore, Texas, New York, and California. She has always had a passion for urban design, public transit, and walkable cities. After moving to LA in October 2020 to join ZGF Architects, she enjoys both working and living (car-less!) in Downtown Los Angeles.

AIA Los Angeles Urban Design Committee:

Jonathan Rieke, AIA – Project Leader, West of West & 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.