Mission
The Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design provides a framework for design professionals and members of the general public to explore, evaluate, and impact the development of architecture in Los Angeles. Throughout its 20+ years of operation, the Forum has brought together young designers, seasoned professionals, critics, urban theorists, artists, students, and people interested in their physical environment in a diverse series of activities. The Forum seeks to reach out beyond the confines of professional organizations, schools and established groups and does not limit itself to one approach to design or theory. It provokes discussion, seeks out places and designs unseen or unnoticed by the general public, publicizes architectural investigation and commentary, and promotes the serious exploration of strategies to influence the development of our urban environment.
Financial support for LA Forum projects has been received from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts, the California Arts Council, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Woodbury University School of Architecture, and from many members over the years. The Forum is widely recognized as one of the most active architecture and urban design groups in Southern California.
Organizational & Institutional Co-Sponsorships
History
Founded in January of 1987, the Forum has organized lecture series and site visits to significant buildings and sites throughout Los Angeles and the region; hosted a number of special events, symposia and a theory reading group; held several design competitions; distributed a quarterly newsletter and online articles; produced many publications, including Experimental Architecture in Los Angeles (Rizzoli International) and Everyday Urbanism (Monacelli Press), as well as national-distributed pamphlet-sized books; and has worked with other groups, architects and institutions to understand its community and participate in activities to rebuild it.
Website
The current website was launched in March, 2010. Site Design + Programming by Handbuilt in collaboration with the LA Forum board of directors. This website redesign project is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Credits for Earlier Versions of Website
2013 LA Forum Board of Directors
Thurman Grant, President
Siobhán Burke, Vice-President
Carmen C. Cham, Vice-President of Information
Duane McLemore, Vice-President of Development
Michael Sweeney, Vice-President of Operations
Matthew Gillis, Treasurer
Orhan Ayyuce
Rob Berry
Nathan Bishop
James A. Black
Gail Peter Borden
Russell Fortmeyer
Ella Hazard
Eric Olsen
Iris Anna Regn
Linda Taalman
Mimi Zeiger
2013 LA Forum Advisory Board :
Hitoshi Abe
Aaron Betsky
Pamela Burton
Paul Danna
Joe Day
Tim Durfee
Frank Escher
Hsin Ming Fung
Margaret Griffin
Brooke Hodge
Jason Kerwin
Alice Kimm
Mark Lee
Kimberli Meyer
Norman Millar
Merry Norris
Linda Pollari
Michael Pinto
Janet Sager
Mohamed Sharif
Warren Techentin
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Sara Daleiden
Development Consultant
Aileen Tang
Administrative Assistant
Ellen Knowles
Development Assistant