XX|LA Architects Podcast

This special episode is released in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Association for Women in Architecture and Design.  In today's episode, I'm joined by Barbara Elwood, who served three terms as madame president of AWA+D (which was then named AWA-LA) in 1960, 1962, and 1996.  Barbara enrolled in USC Architecture's Industrial Design program in 1952, and by the end of her first semester, was the only woman in her class. It's so fascinating to hear about Barbara's experiences and also hear about the evolution of AWA through her recollections. Please support AWA+D by becoming a member, sponsoring the organization, or donating to our sister organization, the AWAF (Association for Women in Architecture Foundation).

Today's episode is going to be a little bit of a different one, because the roles are reversed! Annie Chu of Chu+Gooding Architects, who is featured in Episode 31, graciously offered to interview me for this episode. I am an architect and president of Sato Architects, Inc., a podcast host, and past president of the Association for Women in Architecture + Design (AWA+D). I previously taught architecture at Cal Poly Pomona, my alma mater. I have a new role to add to my list, which is that I'm going to become a mother in a couple of months. I'll have my hands full keeping a little human and small business alive, so this will be the last podcast episode, at least for now. We've had a pretty amazing run, and I am so very thankful for every person I've been able to meet through podcasting.

Karin Liljegrin is founder and principal of Omgivning, an architecture and interior design firm whose practice is rooted in a love for the extraordinary urban fabric of downtown Los Angeles. Karin is an architect and interior designer, and founded Omgivning in 2009, just as the recession was threatening to halt downtown’s resurgence. To date, she and her staff have worked on almost 350 projects in Los Angeles, seeking to restore downtown’s purpose while helping to define its new identity. I’m constantly impressed by Karin’s go-getter attitude and entrepreneurial talents, which you’ll hear more about in this episode, as she talks about the way she purposefully designed her collaborative practice, and continues to evolve it beyond architecture, incorporating interiors, product design, and even real estate development into her operations.

Today's guests are Tracy Stone, principle of Tracy A Stone Architect, and designer Abbi Naylor. Tracy is the founder of The Elysian Valley Arts Collective, a 501c3 non-profit that manages the biennial Frogtown Artwalk, and supports a variety of programming to the youth and neighbors of Elysian Valley. Tracy received a BA from Cornell University and a Masters in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin. She spent five years working for award-winning architects Ray and Finn Kappe before receiving her architectural license in 1989 and subsequently started her own firm, Tracy A. Stone Architect, in 1991. Tracy spent 10 years as a member of the Angelino Heights Historic Preservation Overlay Zone board, and she has taught at Woodbury University, Art Center College of Design, and USC.  In addition, Tracy has served on the Pasadena Green Ribbon Committee and the Los Angeles Green Building Technical Advisory Committee- helping these cities to develop and implement Green Building Codes. She has designed a variety of projects including a number of small lot subdivisions, custom homes, an elderly board and care facility, a battered women’s center, television production offices, and several animal kennels. When not at work, Tracy can be found reliving her Hawaiian roots by hula dancing at the local luau or bouncing down rough desert roads on the way to a secluded campsite. Abbi Naylor has worked with Tracy since 2018, and nominated her for the podcast. Abbi is a mid-west transplant, artist, and designer with a BS in Interior Design from Indiana University. Before jumping into architecture, she worked doing freelance graphic design and illustrations. She loves small woodworking projects and designing furniture and hopes to pursue more of that in the future. Outside of design, Abbi loves oil painting, photography, and skateboarding.  

Eera Babtiwale is Vice President of Sustainability at HMC Architects, a mother of 3, a board member of Designing Futures Foundation, Chair of USGBC-Inland Empire, and an active member with USGBC-Los Angeles. Eera was nominated to be a guest on the show by her co-worker, Lance Hosey. Even though I had never met Eera, as I started researching in order to prepare for our interview, I realized that we had a lot of really awesome people in common! When asked about Eera, her co-workers talk about how she is “genuinely passionate”, “wonderful” and “a champion of sustainability”. After getting to know her, I agree wholeheartedly! In this episode, we’ll hear from Eera about what her position as Vice President of Sustainability means. Besides talking about sustainable design principles and the evolution of green building in our field, we also get to talk about her “why”- the motivating forces behind how and why she was able to cultivate a brand-new position for herself within her firm.

Annie Chu is an architect, interior designer, educator, and a founding principal of the award-winning firm Chu+Gooding Architects.  Annie is an alumnus of Sci-Arc and Columbia, and trained for 11 years with Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects in New York and Frank Israel in Beverly Hills before starting her own practice in 1996.  Chu+Gooding Architects works on projects of many scales, from design of objects to residential homes, to exhibition design, and world-class arts, cultural, and higher education projects.  LA locals will be familiar with the Hollywood Bowl Concession stands, the Autry Resource Center addition and renovation, and USC’s Hoffman Hall interior renovation, just to name a few projects. One of the things I admire about Annie is her impact upon our profession, on top of her firm’s achievements.  Annie champions Interior Architecture as a distinct and emerging discipline, and received the Leadership Award of Excellence from IIDA So Cal in 2014.  She also received the Presidential Honoree Educator Award from AIA|LA in 2016 and has dedicated 30 years to teaching.  She serves on the City of Los Angeles’ Cultural Affairs Commission, AIA Interior Architecture Advisory Group, Contract Magazine's editorial advisory board, and numerous design award juries, and has been Vice President on IIDA International Board of Directors and Board Director to AIA|LA.  To find out more about Annie and Chu+Gooding Architects, visit cg-arch.com or follow them @chugooding on social media. 

After a pandemic-induced break, it's a pleasure to kick off new episodes of the podcast with guest Lise Bornstein, architect and partner at KFA Architecture.  I feel like this interview is long-overdue, because Lise is someone who I have a ton of respect for, and feel lucky to call a mentor and a friend.  Lise graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture and received her Masters of Architecture from Sci-Arc.  Lise joined KFA in 2001, and was elevated to the role of partner in 2016.  Lise gives back to her community in many ways, she is on the board of Step up on Second and just became president of AWAF, the Association for Women in Architecture Foundation.  AWAF kickstarted this podcast through their Professional Development Fellowship, not only through funding, but also by offering a network of supporters.  You can support fellowship projects for mid-career professionals, and scholarships for highly deserving young women through a tax deductible donation to AWAF or participate in their fundraising auction the first two weeks in December.   Please visit awaplusd.org/foundation to learn more.

Helena Arahuete started working for John Lautner in 1971 and rose to the role of Chief Architect in his office.  She continues today as Principal of Lautner Associates, most recently completing the restoration of the Bob and Dolores Hope House in Palm Springs.  This is a very unique two-part episode featuring conversations with Helena Arahuete.  I first met Helena at Palm Springs Modernism Week in February.  Part 1 is an edited recording of interviews she did with eighth graders Abrianna Pingleton, Shelomith Hoy, Tyler Bloomer, Santiago Garza, and Julia Fidel from Ms. Patton’s class at the St. Theresa Catholic School. Part 2 is my follow up with Helena after we returned home to Los Angeles. 

Kishani DeSilva has worked in the architecture and design industries for over twenty years in the project and major program management arena. Prior to her current appointment in local government, she worked as a management consultant following her time as a project manager at Foster + Partners in London. Her current work as an Executive Advisor with the executive office of the Los Angeles County Development Authority focuses on homelessness and the affordable housing shortfall in Los Angeles. Additionally, as adjunct faculty at Woodbury University, she taught a graduate level practice class focusing on a management, leadership and entrepreneurship segment.  Kishani's work relating to housing innovation, sustainability and the business of design have been published in Next City, 2019; Metropolis, 2016 and DesignIntelligence, 2012. She has a MSc in Major Program Management from the University of Oxford, England, an executive leadership certification from Cornell and a BArch from Woodbury University. She is also a Board member of Ten Thousand Villages Pasadena—an entity working for social and economic justice for marginalized populations in the developing world.  Kishani is former President and Board member of the Association for Women in Architecture + Design, and leads the 50:50 x 2020 Initiative for gender equity. Interested in finding out more about 50:50 x 2020 Initiative? Two upcoming events: 50:50 x 2020 Celebration on Friday, March 27, 2020 AIA '20 Convention Session: "50:50 x 2020: 10 LA Firms Commit to Gender Equity" on Thursday, May 14, 2020

Christina Monti, owner of CDM Consulting, started her career in landscape architecture after graduating from Texas A&M University. A self-proclaimed non-designer (I don't quite buy that she "stinks" at design), Christina became an expert in marketing and business development. In this episode, we discuss the skills needed for being good at business development. Spoiler alert--they are skills, and can be worked on and learned! Christina and I got to know each other through the Association for Women in Architecture + Design (AWA+D), where she served on the board as Communications Director, and then President. She currently serves on the board of the Association for Women in Architecture Foundation (AWAF), AWA+D's sister organization that provides scholarships and fellowships to female students and practitioners. Christina and I also discuss what it's like to volunteer on a board, and she offers great advice. Connect with Christina via Linked In Or you have two opportunities to meet Christina (and me) in person: AWA+D and AIA|LA WiA Holiday Mixer on Dec. 5 AWAF Holiday Party and Fundraiser on Dec. 7

This episode is a live recording from Sci-Arc graduate thesis Spin Room, with student (now graduate) Yi Ning Lui, her advisor Kristy Balliet of BairBalliet, and distinguished alumnus Barbara Bestor of Bestor Architecture. In this episode we talk about the experience of the thesis project from the student and the advisor/practitioner perspective. You can watch the video recording from this conversation through Sci-Arc’s vimeo channel at https://livestream.com/accounts/21300942/events/8798849

This episode features financial planner Renee Cohen, and guests Harper Halprin of AAHA Studio and Luciana Tagliaferri of Tagliaferri Architects, in a candid discussion about financial planning for small business owners and architects. We discuss topics like the entrepreneur mindset, business and personal finances, outsourcing, forecasting, growth, diversification, retirement and financial freedom, insurance and protection, and the importance of having a board of advisers. I think it’s super important for us to think about the financial aspects of how we set ourselves up for success both personally and in business. If you heard my interview on the Midnight Charette podcast, I really believe that we need to value our time and expertise and pay our interns, and the only way we’ll be able to do that as business owners is to get comfortable talking about money and figuring it out. Contact Renee at renee.cohen@nm.com or visit her website at www.reneecohen.nm.comIf you enjoyed this episode, you can also listen to our small business roundtable (Episode 004) with Harper and Luciana

Emmanuelle Bourlier is the co-founder and CEO of Panelite, as well as a mother and skater. Emmanuelle co-founded Panelite while in grad school at Columbia University 21 years ago. From its inception, Panelite was so innovative that it was used in a project by Moneo Brock that landed on the cover of the Spanish edition of Interior Design magazine. From there, Panelite was quickly sought after by elite firms like Diller Scofidio+Renfro and OMA. In this episode, Emmanuelle and I talk about her journey with Panelite, and she shares a lot of wisdom about entrepreneurship and life in general. In particular, I think Emmanuelle's approach to skating has a lot of parallels to running a business. It's inspiring to see such a brave, curious, and passionate woman as a CEO. If you're interested in finding out more about female skating in Los Angeles, Emmanuelle and her son are taking lessons from legendary skater Pat Ngoho, and she mentions a few resources: Grlswirl in Venice, Girl is Not a 4 Letter Word, founded by pro skater Cindy Whitehead, and The Cove Grls, which hosts bi-monthly girls’ skate sessions. For more information about Panelite and Emmanuelle, visit www.panelite.us or follow on social media: Instagram: @panelite_innovates, @emmanuelle_bourlier FB: @Panelite LinkedIn: Panelite and Emmanuelle Bourlier

This episode features Elena Manferdini, the recipient of the ICON award at the 2019 LA Design Festival. This interview was recorded at the event at Row DTLA. Elena is the Graduate Chair at Sci-Arc and principal of Atelier Manferdini. Elena’s striking exuberance, charisma, and rigor is completely evident in her work, which ranges in scale from product design, to graphic facades and entire buildings. Her process often incorporates cutting edge technology as an integral part of the design, and she even includes augmented reality features in the work. Having grown up in Italy and received a degree in engineering before studying architecture at UCLA, Elena combines her skills and sensibilities as an artist, architect, and engineer to produce stunning, award-winning works. I really enjoyed speaking with Elena, and admire her even more after our wonderfully candid and intellectual conversation.

Helena Jubany, FAIA has a real knack for developing leaders, as well as a sharp business acumen. Helena’s 30 year career specializing in education and public sector architecture included 17 years of building her own practice, prior to mergers with NAC Architecture and Osborne. Loyal listeners will remember my interview with Leslie Sydnor in Episode 15, where Leslie spoke incredibly highly of Helena as her mentor. In fact, I was so struck by what Leslie had to say about Helena, that I felt there was no better way to honor their special relationship than to hear Leslie interview Helena directly.

What I admire about Rachel Allen is the pragmatic, intelligent, and unapologetically hard-working ethos that she brings to her work.  As founding principal of RADAR (Rachel Allen Development Architecture Research Inc.), her success relies upon her ability to understand the viewpoints of people she's working with in order to communicate effectively and harness the strengths of her team.  The pay off of RADAR's hard work is evident in their growing project list, such as their role as Design Architect on the competition-winning team for the Pershing Square Renew project.  Additionally, RADAR has been building up a multi-family housing project portfolio, and in this interview, Rachel tells me more about how she was able to go from working on a 6 unit project, to a project with over 200 units. In addition to talking about her practice, Rachel and I touch upon her experiences growing up in and establishing babysitting and parenting cooperatives, as well as her experiences as a Rome Prize recipient and former Gehry Partners employee.  

In episode 20, we're putting the "LA" in XX|LA by speaking with an architect who is also a film maker!  Mina Chow is an architect and professor at the USC School of Architecture. She is also the director, producer, and star of the documentary "Face of a Nation: What Happened to the World's Fair?"  The film is about Mina's journey as an idealistic architect and daughter of immigrants, as she discovers why America abandoned World's Fairs.  Michael Sorkin calls it an "urgently dispiriting but ultimately tender and optimistic film".  This is a description I agree with wholeheartedly.  To learn more, visit www.faceofanationmovie.com  or see the film for yourself! On March 20, Women in Architecture committee is hosting a screening at the Helms Bakery Design Center. https://www.aialosangeles.org/event/wia-worlds-fair-film-screening/

I'm fascinated by architects who work in interdisciplinary and collaborative ways, and my latest guests bridge architecture and dance in a fascinating way!  In this episode, I speak with Rennie Tang and Sara Wookey, the artists and creators behind Punt.Point.  Punt.Point was commissioned by the Van Abbe Museum in 2013 and acquired for their permanent collection in 2018.  Rennie and Sara are practitioners who come from architecture and dance backgrounds respectively, with training and interest in each others' disciplines.  They met in Los Angeles and started collaborating locally, on projects at venues like the Hammer Museum and Grand Park.   Rennie Tang is a designer and educator based in Los Angeles. As associate professor of landscape architecture at California Polytechnic State University Pomona, her teaching methods emphasize one-to-one scale spatial construction, topographic manipulation and material exploration. She is recipient of the 2017 Excellence in Design Studio Teaching Award from the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA). Her collaborative work with choreographers, artists and occupational therapists supports her research focus on human mobility in urban landscapes. Sara Wookey is an American dance artist based in London. She creates choreographic works within local, national and international venues including theaters, museums and outdoor spaces. As part of her practice, she is a public speaker and writer known for her stewardship of dance as a recognized and valuable art form, particularly, in museum settings. The founding director of Wookey Works, a production company offering services to cultural organizations, academic institutions and civic agencies, Sara is interested in the social potential of dance across sectors and in our contemporary moment. She is a certified transmitter of Yvonne Rainer's repertoire and is a Tate Learning Research Associate.  Images are provided courtesy of Wookey Works and Rennie Tang, and are copyright protected.

Irma Ramirez is a professor in the architecture department and director of the China Study Abroad program at Cal Poly Pomona. Her accolades include the NCARB Grand Prize, National Lynton Citation for Distinguished Engaged Scholarship for the Habitat 21 Sustainable Settlements Project in Tijuana with Corazon, and awards from the American Planning Association and American Institute of Certified Planners and Environmental Design Research Association for work in the China program. She also recently brought a group of Cal Poly Pomona students into Augustus Hawkins High School to teach ninth graders about architecture and urban planning. What I admire most about Irma is that she really pushes herself and her students to grow through uncomfortable new experiences and interdisciplinary thinking.

In this episode, I spent an evening chatting with the women of Claret-Cup at the Los Angeles Brewery Artists Colony. Claret-Cup was co-founded by Bojána Bányász and Donatella Cusmá, two architects who bonded over a love of Los Angeles, a shared value that architecture does not only serve its private owners, and a desire to work outside the normal bounds of a traditional practice. Their work crosses over to disciplines like fashion, graphic design, food making, and community building, and to me displays a sensitivity for creating multi-sensorial experiences and memories. We’re also joined by Marcee Krant, a native Angelino who works with Boja and Dona. Marcee does not have an architectural background, but comes from the fashion industry, and we hear her fresh perspective on what it’s like for her to work at Claret-Cup. Links: https://claret-cup.com/ http://map-a-porter.com/ Social Media: claretcup_architecture on Instagram mapaporter on Instagram  

This episode is a live recording of a panel discussion, featuring Association for Women in Architecture and Design (AWA+D) members Lise Bornstein of KFA, Wena Dows of Wena Dows Designs, Marisa Kurtzman of Frederick Fisher and Partners, Brenda Levin of Levin & Associates Architects, Kate Diamond of HDR, and Nina Briggs of The Fabric, moderated by XX|LA host Audrey Sato. It was recorded on Sept. 30 at WUHO, which is Woodbury University’s Gallery space right on Hollywood Boulevard. Our event was held in conjunction with Architexx’s exhibit, “Now What: Advocacy, Activism and Alliances in American Architecture since 1968”.

Leslie Sydnor is an architect now working as a Director / Planning Project Manager at Cumming Corporation.  Leslie grew up in New York City wanting to effect change in the built environment, and so she went on to study architecture at Yale and then UCLA.  After about 20 years in architecture, having risen to the level of Associate Principal, Leslie left her traditional career in architecture to work on the other side of things in project, program, planning, and construction management.  Throughout her career, she gained expertise in education projects, and we hear stories about her work, her experiences rising up in a firm and then leaving it, and why being an architect now helps her excel at her current job.  As women of color, we also discuss issues of race and gender, and talk pretty candidly about our experiences as architects. Links to upcoming events: Now What?! Advocacy, Activism and Alliances in American Architecture since 1968 Opening Party Sept. 8 at WUHO Gallery Powerful Conference 2018 Sept. 20 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion  

In this live recording of the XXLA Architects Podcast, I visit the Free School of Architecture at WUHO Gallery on July 24, 2018 and have a discussion with some of the participants to hear more about this innovative 6 week experience. Attend the closing party and find out more about Free School of Architecture Friday, July 27 from 6:30pm at WUHO Gallery: 6518 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 Participants in the episode (listed in no particular order): Alejandra Ramirez, Nathan Halimi, Naveen Agrawal, Jacob Gulezian, Joy Matashi, Simon Glaiser, Katya Zirulnik, Jay Henderson, Tessa Forde (FSA 2018 Organizer), and Luciana Varkulja. Special thanks to Vi Phan for visual documentation.

Margot Siegel was born in 1932 in Germany, and as a child, she went on to live in Paris and then New York, as her family fled from Nazi occupation.  She describes herself as always being somewhat of an outsider, having experienced the shock of new countries and cultures, and then becoming an architect in a time where it was highly unusual to be a woman and an architect.  She attended Pratt Institute, graduating with her architecture degree in 1955.  Finding that others weren’t giving her the opportunities she desired, she formed her own practice in 1972 and volunteered her time to obtain a HUD grant to form the Los Angeles Community Design Center.  After 14 years on her own, with clients like the YWCA and East 60th Street Community Center, Margot partnered with Kate Diamond and Norma Sklarek to form Siegel Sklarek Diamond, Architects which later became Siegel Diamond Architects until 1999.  The firm was celebrated for being one of the largest women-owned architecture firms in the nation at the time.  Margot also played a formative role in West Hollywood’s history as she formed a committee to draft its Community Plan, which was later adopted when the city was incorporated.  If all that wasn’t enough, she was also in the ski patrol, was the first woman board member and officer of AIA|LA, was active with the AWA, and so much more.  

Do you want to start your own practice, but aren't sure how to go about getting work?  Ginger Tanzmann knows how you feel, and she asked herself those same questions.  In 1978, Ginger had $20,000, two rooms in the Bradbury Building, and the passion to pursue her dream of owning her own architecture business.  In this interview with Virginia (better known as Ginger) Tanzmann, FAIA, we hear the stories of Ginger’s long and illustrious career, including how she built The Tanzmann Associates from 1978-1997.  At its peak, Ginger had over 25 employees and work in all types of sectors.  Work at the firm included projects like the Los Angeles Mission and the North Hollywood Metro Red Line Station.  A graduate of Syracuse University, Ginger made her way to Los Angeles, working in various places including Dworsky Associates and Metro (formerly Southern California Rapid Transit District).  After closing her firm, Ginger continued her career in architecture, working in large corporate environments such as Cal State and WSP (formerly Parsons Brinkerhoff), working on award-winning projects like the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC). Ginger also brought passion to service work, volunteering in many non-profits like 211 Los Angeles, United Way, YWCA, AIA, AWA+D, and AWAF. She currently serves on the Taxpayer Oversight Committee for Measure M.

Today’s guest is Deborah Weintraub, Chief Deputy City Engineer for the Bureau of Engineering in the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Public Works.  Deborah is the first architect and woman to hold the position, and in this role has overseen projects like the LA River Revitalization Master Plan and the 6th Street Viaduct, which is currently under construction.  Through this work, she had made major contributions to the city and its future, applying her architectural background and training to engineering projects large and small.  Her impact on the city we know today, and the city we will experience 30 years from now, is undeniable.  Prior to her time with the City, Deborah also worked in private practice in New York and California, and she gained expertise in sustainability through her work with the Canadian Consulate and Southern California Edison.  Deborah’s career is fascinating because of these varied experiences she's had as an architect, and in each position, she really embraced the impact she could have. Links to other projects Deborah mentions: Taylor Yard / G2 Parcel Metabolic Studio: Bending the River SPFA: Rumblefish Bridge North Atwater Bridge LA River Bike Path

Episode 10 features Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter, Dean of the School of Architecture at Woodbury University and Director of WUHO (Woodbury University Hollywood) Gallery.  Ingalill was elevated to the College of Fellows in the AIA this year, a high distinction awarded to only 3 percent of AIA members.  She serves on the advisory board of the LA Forum for Architecture and Urban Design,* and previously was on the Board of the AIA|LA.  Prior to her tenure at Woodbury, Ingalill taught at Cornell, Yale, the Bartlett, and Sci-Arc, and also worked as an architect, specializing in the building envelope and experimental use of glass.  In this episode, Ingalill discusses the importance of diversity and the role of ethics in architecture and architecture education.  Through her work at Woodbury, Ingalill has created multiple pathways for future architects, leading to a field that is more accessible and inclusive.  She also talks openly about gender and the complexities of raising a daughter in this world, and shares strategies for being a thoughtful leader. To find out more about Ingalill, visit her profile online at https://woodbury.edu/faculty/ingalill-wahlroos-ritter/ In this episode, Ingalill and I talk about a few articles and books: 'The architecture degree will be the law degree of the 21st century': A conversation with Woodbury's Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter by Christopher Hawthorne in The Los Angeles Times The Future Belongs to Woodbury University by Mark Lamster in Architect Magazine Architecture -- A Woman's Profession edited by Tanja Kullack  *Correction: Previously, the post read that Ingalill was on the Board of Directors to the LA Forum, but she is on the Advisory Board.

This episode features Ena Dubnoff, an architect and artist who had a diverse career since graduating at the top of her class, and as the only woman in her class, from USC in 1960. Ena has her Masters of Architecture from Columbia, and throughout her career taught at Penn State, Sci-Arc and USC, and worked at the offices of William Pereira, A. Quincy Jones, and Skidmore, Owings, & Merril. She established her own practice specializing in projects for non-profit organizations, such as W.O.R.K.S. , with a focus on affordable housing.  What I find really interesting is that Ena was able to work on large projects with a small flexible office, and she did this through the strong partnerships and relationships that she built during her career, such as with Fernando Vazquez. Many of her projects have won awards, including from the AIA|LA, Los Angeles Conservancy, and AIACC. Ena talks specifically about her work at Pisgah Village, Willowbrook Green, Planned Parenthood, and El Centro del Pueblo, in addition to other projects. During this episode, Ena speaks honestly and openly about lessons learned over her long and varied career. I admire her unpretentious nature as she talks about her major accomplishments, and the way she fluidly navigated her own path through architecture. For more information about Ena, and to see her woodturning work, visit: http://www.enadubnoff.com/ Ena participated in a Women in Architecture Panel at Sci-Arc in 1976  which you can watch on YouTube.  Ena presents her work at 43:23

This episode features Elizabeth Timme, founder and co-executive director of LA-Más with Helen Leung. LA-Más is a non-profit urban design organization that helps lower-income and underserved communities shape their future through policy and architecture. During this episode, Elizabeth talks about LA-Más, and some of the exciting work they are doing in our city. Elizabeth and Helen were just named Emerging Voices by the Architectural League of New York, and Elizabeth is also part of the Re:Code LA team. Elizabeth is a graduate of USC School of Architecture and Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, and comes from a rich background immersed in architecture as daughter of the late Robert Timme, who was the dean of USC’s School of Architecture. Elizabeth talks about what it’s like to be a female third-generation architect, and her journey to LA-Más. We discuss some of LA-Más' projects including work on backyard houses, or ADUs. I admire Elizabeth’s conviction, openness, and intellect. I love that she does not accept things for how they are, and challenges what they could be. For more information about LA-Más visit: https://www.mas.la/ Or connect on Instagram @mas4la  

This episode features Wena Dows, a residential designer who had her own practice in Los Angeles for over 60 years, after graduating from UC Berkeley in 1950. She talks about what it was like to go to architecture school in the late 40s, how she found work and then went on to build a successful practice and raise three kids. I believe that Wena has made the world I entered into a better place, and I am thankful to share her stories here with you. Wena has also formerly chaired the AWAF (Association for Women in Architecture Foundation) Scholarship Committee and served on its board.  The AWAF annually offers scholarships to students and a Professional Development Fellowship.  I was awarded the 2017 AWAF fellowship, which made this podcast possible.  2018 AWAF Professional Development Fellowship applications are available now, and due March 16, 2018. Wena's work from 1952-2005 is now archived at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Special Collections

This episode features Sarah Lorenzen, professor and former chair of the architecture department at Cal Poly Pomona, partner at TOLO (formerly Peter Tolkin Architecture), Resident Director at the Neutra VDL House in Silverlake, and recently elected Director to the Board of Directors at AIA|LA. Sarah speaks about her education and background in architecture as an alumnus of Smith College, Atlanta College of Art (BFA), Georgia Tech (M.Arch), and SCI-Arc (M.Arch, MR+D) and took a one-year sabbatical at TU Delft in the Netherlands.  She brings all these experiences in education to her teaching and practice, and was awarded Educator of the Year by AIA|LA in 2015.  She talks about her various roles and accomplishments, such as guiding the semester conversion process in the architecture department, to opening the VDL House to regular tours, which raised funds for major restorations to the building.  Sarah also speaks about her background in scenario planning and how that has helped her as a designer and leader.  Sarah is a champion of feminism, and we discuss her role as an advocate in the industry.   Join the AWA+D Advocacy Committee group at the Women's March this Saturday, January 20, 2018. Links to Social Media: TOLO on Instagram and Facebook Cal Poly Pomona Architecture Department on Instagram and Facebook  

Episode 5 of the XX|LA Architects Podcast features an interview with Nina Briggs, founding principal at THE FABRIC, award-winning educator, and creator of a documentary film "Practitioners".  "Practitioners" gives us a view into the diverse and extraordinary careers of women in and around the architecture community in Los Angeles, and sheds light onto these women’s undeniable impact upon our community. During this episode,  Nina tells us about the film and her goals for the project.  She talks about her dedication to telling the unheard stories of female architects and designers through the film and through Wikipedia writing workshops through AWA+D.   She also talks about her fascinating, unorthodox path into academia and teaching.  Nina's approach to design integrates ethnographic strategies to understand the wants and needs of the user, an approach that results in spaces that positively affect inhabitants psychologically, and illustrates a deep care for the people she designs for. View Nina's sizzle on Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/229225869 Connect with Nina on: Instagram | Twitter  | LinkedIn

Episode 4 of the XX|LA Architects Podcast features an informal round table discussion on the topic of starting a small architecture business.  Architects and entrepreneurs Harper Halprin of HH Design, Luciana Tagliaferri of Tagliaferri Architects, and host Audrey Sato of Sato Architects discuss the ups and downs of starting their own practices, including topics like getting work, how we knew we were ready to go it alone, work/life balance, contracts, and diversification. Connect with us! HH Design at www.hhdesign-la.com Tagliaferri Architects at www.tarchs.com Sato Architects at www.audreysato.com XX|LA Architects Podcast at www.xx-la.com

In episode 3 of the XX|LA Architects Podcast, I speak with Barbara Flammang, partner at Killefer Flammang Architects.  KFA was named the 2016 AIACC Firm of the Year, an award bestowed in recognition of the firm's humanitarian work and their thriving company culture.  Barbara shares her journey starting in 1980 with KFA, and how she and her husband Wade built an award-winning, equitable company that currently employs 66 people in Santa Monica.  Barbara speaks about the importance of relationships, trust, and hard work, and how she and Wade were able to build a successful company while also having a family together.  She shares how they got their first projects, and talks frankly about the ups and downs of business, including how they survived multiple recessions. Follow KFA on: Facebook Twitter Linked In Instagram

In the second episode of the XX|LA Architects Podcast, I speak with Pooja Bhagat, Architect for the City of Santa Monica** and Chair of the Women in Architecture (WiA) Committee at AIA|LA. In this episode, Pooja tells us about the upcoming Powerful IV Conference, and how we can encourage equity in the profession. We discuss her interest in place-making, as seen in the Ocean Avenue South and Santa Monica Village projects she worked on at Moore Ruble Yudell. We even get personal speaking about her unique perspective as a parent and an immigrant, and how that has strengthened her abilities as an architect. Links to other resources Pooja mentions: The "Missing 32%" Equity by Design Surveys: 2014 study  and a later 2016 study  The Australian Parlour website curated and edited by Justine Clark You can contact Pooja via email or stay in touch with Women in Architecture (WiA) at their facebook page. **Edit: Pooja left her role as Architect for the City of Santa Monica since the interview aired.

Welcome to the very first episode of the XX|LA Architects Podcast!  I am so excited about this interview with Laura O'Neill, Senior Architectural Historian at GPA Consulting and Chair of the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission. In this episode, Laura gives us insight into what it's like to be an architectural historian and public figure, and her strategies for interfacing with clients and the public.  In addition, she discusses her management style and ways her company promotes a healthy live-work balance, and gives us career advice about burn-out and motivation.  During this episode, she mentions one of her favorite projects, the Temple Art Lofts in Vallejo.  Her other all-time favorite project is the Hughes Industrial Historic District in Playa Vista. I'd love to hear your comments about this episode, or feedback about what you want to hear in future episodes.  Reach out via social media, email or the hotline at (213) 631-2129.