Museum of Tolerance – Social Lab Tour

photo: Benny Chan

Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign Presents “Fighting Prejudice – Social Lab Tour”

This is an in-person event. Attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination along with proof of identification. Please read and check the agreement and safety boxes in the registration. Additional information regarding general event information and check-in process will be emailed directed to registrants 24 hours before the event.

AIALA Committee: Interior Architecture

ACKOWLEDGEMENTS:
Executive Architect: Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign
Design Architect: Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign
General Contractor: Sierra Pacific Constructors
Acoustical Consultant: Veneklasen Associates
Lighting Designer: HLB Lighting Design
Content Provider: Unified Field

Mehrdad Yazdani, Assoc. AIA, the founding principal and Design Director of Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign and his Associate Vice President Mimi Lam will guide the visitors through the Social Lab exhibit. It was designed for the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) at Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Yazdani Studio is a unique interdisciplinary design laboratory within a multinational architecture firm, CannonDesign, which integrates the best attributes of a hands-on design studio with the resources and reach of a global practice, producing unique environments for progressive institutions and corporations throughout the world.

They will discuss:
+ The design of the Social Lab project which opened at MOT LA in 2021
+ Overcoming design challenges to enlighten and inspiring museum visitors
+ Fulfilling SWC’s objective to encourage visitors to confront prejudice and bigotry within themselves as well as in society and commit to positive actions in support of human dignity and tolerance

Presenters:

Mehrdad Yazdani, Assoc. AIA, Design Principal, Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign
Throughout his thirty-five year career, Mehrdad Yazdani has practiced at the intersection of the large office and the small studio. Mehrdad received his Bachelor of Architecture degree with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin and was named by Progressive Architecture magazine as one of the world’s top emerging architectural designers just three years after earning his Master of Architecture from Harvard’s GSD. As Design Director of the Yazdani Studio, Mehrdad’s ability to combine experimental design with a mature resolution of pragmatic requirements has garnered over 120 major awards and frequent publications in national and international journals, including the LA Times, New York Times, Architectural Record, Architect, Contract Magazine, Mark, Plan, Fast Company among others. His work has been exhibited around the world and is held in the permanent collection of MOMA, SFMOMA, The Library of Congress and the Albright Knox Gallery in Buffalo. His monograph was published by Balcony Press and he frequently lecturers at architecture and design studios throughout North America.

Mimi Lam, Associate Vice President/Interior Designer, Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign
For the last 17 years, Mimi has practiced architecture and the intersection of art and design. Her process and methodology is rooted in the synthesis of explorative design, technical rigor and fine art. Ambitious from the onset, while working at Herbert Louis Kruse Blunck, Mimi simultaneously operated Studio M – dedicated to the design and craft of metalwork – keeping herself immersed in art and craft while honing her architectural design direction. As an Associate Vice President of the Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign, Mimi has contributed significantly to the design and development of award winning projects like the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and Jerusalem, Ordos Concert Hall and the University of California, San Diego Jacobs.

Learning Objectives:
+ Participants will learn how to employ a thematic narrative, rather than a chronological framework, to create a compelling sequence of exhibit spaces.
+ Participants will learn how the physical characteristics and materials of the space can be used to complement and enhance the museum’s pedagogical goals.
+ Participants will learn how to create an environment that encourages visitor interaction.
+ Participants will learn how to use lighting as an effective tool for guiding visitors through the space.
+ Participants will learn how an immersive experience can be facilitated through effective sound absorption between exhibit areas.

Tour Sponsored By: