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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
