#159: 2022 AIA RESTAURANT DESIGN AWARDS: “AND THE AWARD GOES TO…”

October 7, 2022

As a design juror for the 2022 Restaurant Design Awards of the American Institute of Architects, I handed out awards and congratulations to the winners on September 15th, who sat in suspense, fingers crossed, hoping that their names would be called. It was a celebrative evening recognizing some of our best talent in Los Angeles. The honored projects ranged from Prague, Czechia to a design that engaged large rocks, from the exploitation of marble veining to bold modesty.

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#158: LOS ANGELES BAKER’S DOZEN

September 16, 2022

As a Los Angeles architect, I am often asked, “What are your favorite buildings in the city?” Considering houses, concert halls, schools, churches—it is difficult to answer. There are so many great works of architecture. To have parameters, I stuck to the City of Los Angeles. I did not include the many treasures in adjacent cities like West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills. Also, I couldn’t decide on the typical “top ten,” like I have done each year. So in no particular order, here you go: a Baker’s Dozen.

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#157: “BE WATER, MY FRIEND”

August 26, 2022

Throughout architecture, the element of water has played an impactful role—whether as a lead actor or the backdrop. Of the many ways water has been employed in design, five come to mind.

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#156: ACADEMY MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURES: PLOT AND CLIMAX

August 5, 2022

My first thought is simply this: weird. But is weird a bad thing? After years of delay, the $484-million Academy Musuem of Motion Pictures finally opened late last year. Designed by Pritzker-prized Renzo Piano with local Gensler as executive architect, the results are indeed weird.

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#154: WHAT IS YOUR BRAND?

June 24, 2022

Whether a company, institution, or even an individual, it is imperative to establish a brand—a distinct identity, a unique look and feel that distinguishes from others. But whereas branding can help to establish a foothold in the marketplace, does it limit evolution of self?

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