Thursday, May 6, at 4 pm
Conversation with Michael Anderson: How to Create Accelerated Equity Housing and Transit Oriented Communities
Some architects define their work in terms of form; others through theory; some by social justice or environmental sustainability. For Michael Anderson, architecture is an economic act.
Since leaving SCI-Arc in the mid-1980s, Michael has devoted his career to figuring out how to elevate the economic well-being of Black and Brown neighborhoods in South Los Angeles.
He has made the case -- in built projects and a pending book -- for building low-rise housing that enables people entry into property ownership and lifts up a community.
It is a way of thinking about design's impact that can get short shrift in school, but is vital to people's lives.
I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Michael Anderson this Thursday, about his work in transit-oriented communities and his book, Urban Magic: Vibrant Black and Brown Communities Are Possible.
The talk is free and open to all. It is presented by Cal Poly LA Metro Program in Architecture and Urban Design and the Helms Bakery District. RSVP, here.
Thursday, May 6, at 7 pm
KCRW’s Wasted Event: Let’s Talk Trash!
You may have listened to our series Wasted, about neat solutions to the dirty problem of waste. This Thursday it’s your turn to tune in and share your stories, concerns and questions about the heaping piles of waste in your life!
I’ll join Wasted co-host Caleigh Wells, the team at Homeboy Electronic Recycling Industries and Ferris Kawar, Sustainability Project Manager – Center for Environmental and Urban Studies of Santa Monica College, for a lively, interactive conversation that may offers answers to pesky questions, like:
What the heck am I supposed to do with all these dead batteries? If my to-go box doesn’t have that little triangle on it, can I still recycle it? Can I compost without a composting bin?
We’ll also get a bird’s eye view of what happened to the electronics you disposed of on Saturday at KCRW’s E-Waste Drive.
Click here for information and sign-up.
Wednesday, May 26, 5:45pm
Residential Architecture Awards 2021
The ceremony for the annual design awards bestowed by AIA/LA will be virtual this year, in a film produced by the team at AIA/LA. Carlo Caccavale, Executive Director, has a background in cinema and it shows in a highly professional production featuring yours truly as MC, Mary Ta and Lars Hypko of Minotti and other sponsors and -- most importantly -- winners of the awards.
As usual there's an embarrassment of riches to choose from, and I can't give anything away. Suffice it to say, Los Angeles is still making waves in residential design, from the very modest -- temporary housing for the unhoused -- to extremely large private homes.
The jurors also get to share their thoughts on trends they saw in the work. So watch for some interesting insights from: Monica Mazzolani, Peter Culley and Ruth Wallach.
Get all the details here.
In related news, on Monday, May 17, the Mayor's Office at the City of Los Angeles will unveil the winners of its Low Rise Housing Challenge. Having been a juror on the (Re)Distribution category I can say that the quality of entries was amazing. This challenge has been a fascinating provocation and I look forward to seeing all the results on Monday.
