AIA|LA ADVOCACY REPORT
January 20, 2026

Help Shape the Future of LA: Join the AIA|LA & LACP Design Review Sessions

Calling all architects and designers with a vision for a better Los Angeles!

The AIA|LA, in partnership with the Los Angeles City Planning (LACP)’s Urban Design Studio, invites you to participate in the Professional Volunteer Program (PVP). This collaborative initiative offers a unique opportunity to directly influence the design quality of upcoming projects across the city and play a vital role in shaping the urban fabric of Los Angeles.

Why Participate?

  • Impact Your City: Share your design expertise and insights on pending projects that will be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Your feedback can help shape the future of our city’s built environment.

  • Educate and Collaborate: Work alongside LACP planning staff to discuss urban design issues, complex urban typologies, and project-specific design challenges.

  • Expand Your Network: Connect with fellow architects, designers, and city planning professionals who share your passion for urban design.

How to Get Involved:

The PVP will be hosting 31 virtual design review sessions throughout the year. These sessions are a great opportunity to get involved and make a real difference. We encourage you to register for three or four sessions that fit your schedule.

View the Full Schedule and Register Today:

REGISTER HERE

Prepare for a Meaningful Impact:

To maximize your contribution, we recommend reviewing the Urban Design Studio’s resources and the City’s design guidelines:

Confidentiality:

PVP discussions provide an open forum for design feedback, and all participants are expected to maintain confidentiality and anonymity.

For More Information:

Please contact Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA, at (213) 639-0764 or will[@]aialosangeles.org with any questions.

Together, we can create a more vibrant, equitable, and resilient Los Angeles through the power of design. Join us in shaping the city’s future!

More Info Here.

 



Call for Entries: Innovate with the Santa Monica Mass Timber Accelerator

AIA|LA is delighted to officially partner with the City of Santa Monica on an exciting new initiative: The Santa Monica Mass Timber Accelerator.

As architects and designers, we constantly seek methods that marry aesthetic beauty with environmental responsibility. Santa Monica has long held a reputation as a regional leader in sustainability and innovation. Now, through the Mass Timber Accelerator, we have a unique opportunity to advance the City’s built environment by exploring the potential of high-strength, prefabricated wood products.

Why Participate? Southern California is poised to become a significant market for mass timber, yet widespread adoption requires pioneers willing to demonstrate its feasibility. This program creates a structured pathway for design teams to lead that charge. Mass timber offers tangible benefits to the building sector, including:

  • Speed & Efficiency: Faster on-site assembly compared to traditional concrete and steel, leading to potential cost savings.
  • Sustainability: A significant reduction in embodied carbon emissions, aligning with our urgent climate goals.
  • Design Excellence: The creation of warm, biophilic environments featuring beautiful, exposed wood aesthetics.

Program Details & Support Part of the broader Accelerator Cities Program—co-funded by the Softwood Lumber Board and the USDA Forest Service—this initiative is designed to de-risk the adoption of new systems.

The program will competitively select up to five private development projects to receive funding and technical assistance. Selected teams will not be working alone; participants will receive expert guidance from WoodWorks regarding structural design, fire resistance, code compliance, and detailing. This is a rare opportunity to receive financial backing and high-level technical consulting to bring a mass timber project to life.

How to Apply: We invite all eligible design and development teams to apply. Whether you are looking to assess workforce capacity, explore Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) feasibility, or simply create the next landmark sustainable project in Santa Monica, we want to see your vision.

Key Deadline: Applications are due to the Office of Sustainability & the Environment by February 27th, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Selected teams will be notified by mid-March 2026. Join us in shaping a more sustainable, efficient, and beautiful future for Santa Monica.

Download the Santa Monica Mass Timber Accelerator Application Guide Here


 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
t: 213.639.0764
e: will@aialosangeles.org
www.aialosangeles.org

*Disclaimer: The advice and perspectives shared here belong to the author and should not be considered official recommendations from AIA Los Angeles.