Tag Archives: urbanism

PBy receives AIA CC Award

The Piggyback Yard was in good company last weekend at the reception for the AIA California Council 2011 Design Awards.  Our Merit Award for Urban Design was announced with the rest of this year’s winners at the bi-annual Monterey Design Conference, held October 7-9. 

Founded in 1979, the Monterey Design conference has become the “Renaissance Weekend” for architects. Held in Pacific Grove at the historic Asilomar Conference Grounds founded in 1913, this year’s conference was full of inspiration and practical advice for architects and designers.  As always, the conference curated speakers ranging from “Emerging Talent” Andrew Kudless of Matsys to “Tribal Elder” Peter Walker.  Featured speakers included PBy’s own Michael Maltzan as well as imports Jeanne Gang from Studio Gang of Chicago and  Tom Kundig from Olson Kundig Architects of Seattle.

Much discussion revolved around appropriating disregarded spaces,  viewing even the most urban of areas as landscape, and searching for ways to harness the power of “gizmos” and technology for a higher purpose.  Sound familiar?

Michael Maltzan: 8 Questions on LA Urbanism

1. Given the current climate of economic crisis, governmental turmoil, and a general sense of stasis in the community, how can the city of eternal optimism take advantage of such a historic moment?

At a moment like this you need to be realistic about the challenges facing the City, but we also cannot afford to be overtaken by a sense of pessimism because of the particular moment we find ourselves in. Times like this are exactly the moments when planning, forward thinking, and progressive ideas can and should be proposed. By putting our energy into comprehensive, visionary proposals; we can challenge the static ways that we think about the city in its current form and begin envisioning the City of our future. Not only for ourselves but for successive generations. Continue reading →

Mia Lehrer: 8 Questions on LA Urbanisim

1. Given the current climate of economic crisis, governmental turmoil, and a general sense of stasis in the community, how can the city of eternal optimism take advantage of such a historic moment?

The city can take advantage of the moment by rethinking, reinventing, and redefining perception of a place and understand what makes for a rich city experience. Acknowledging that this Los Angeles is an unconventional place where people thrive in a special setting. The mountains, the ocean, and the vast blue sky is the stage for multiple villages that thrive amidst the economic turmoil. Food, music, and artistic pursuits generate an extremely lively milieu. Amidst the multiple crises the younger generations are resourceful, less materialistic, more civically engaged, and ready to make a difference. Continue reading →

Marc Salette: 8 Questions on LA Urbanism

1. Given the current climate of economic crisis, governmental turmoil, and a general sense of stasis in the community, how can the city of eternal optimism take advantage of such a historic moment?

The scarcity of resources should encourage us to be more efficient of course, but also more essential, looking for fundamental opportunities and results, especially those that are synergetic, multivalent, and allow (or force) diverse groups to collaborate, combine their efforts to accomplish something greater than their own specialized agenda. The Piggyback Yard project is such an opportunity. Continue reading →

Leigh Christy & Ben Feldmann: 8 Questions on LA Urbanism

1. Given the current climate of economic crisis, governmental turmoil, and a general sense of stasis in the community, how can the city of eternal optimism take advantage of such a historic moment?

The current economic down turn presents a valuable moment of pause for Los Angeles to reflect on how to best serve our citizens, redirect the economy, and repair our environment. It is imperative to embrace this opportunity to holistically plan for the future. Rethinking development patterns and government priorities with respect to critical urban resources such as water, open space, and wildlife habitat should be a priority. Continue reading →