The Runway Playa Vista Walking Tour

Join us for a walking tour of Runway Playa Vista, a vibrant mixed-use development on the historic site of Howard Hughes’ former aviation empire. Led by Rebecca Rudolph, founder and principal of Design, Bitches and design architect and partner at Johnson Fain, Jed Donaldson, the tour will explore architecture, art, and urban planning. Afterwards, stop by the farmers market for your Sunday groceries and enjoy lunch by Loqui in the courtyard.

EVENT DETAILS

When: November 9th | 9:30 am – 1 pm (Walking tour will be from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm) | Lunch to Follow

Where: 12775 W Millennium, Playa Vista, CA 90094

Discover the transformation of the Runway Playa Vista, a once-abandoned airfield now a bustling mixed-use community of shops, restaurants, apartments, and offices. The tour will begin with introductions by Jed Donaldson, who played a key role in the original development, and culminate with Rebecca Rudolph of Design, Bitches, who will speak about the most recent redevelopment.

The tour will delve into the challenges and innovations behind creating a walkable, community-focused space.

Donaldson will share his experience in urban planning and architecture, collaborating with artist Ned Kahn, and addressing how to balance commercial and residential zones. Design, Bitches will highlight their contributions to revitalizing the space, including creating a more vibrant, family-friendly environment with public art, murals, and environmental graphics. They’ll also discuss their work on the FREE MARKET and Modern Animal during the property’s transformation.

The tour will conclude with lunch provided by Loqui in the courtyard. Guests can also browse the farmers market, and parking details will be provided. This tour is an extensive exploration of architecture, art, interior design, and urban planning, with a focus on sustainability and creating community spaces.

SPEAKERS

Jed Donaldson, AIA – Partner at Johnson Fain

James (JED) is a Partner with more than two decades of professional experience in designing large-scale, complex projects. His experience includes diverse building typologies including multifamily residential, office, education, biotech, civic, cultural, high-rise structures, and large-scale mixed-use developments. He participates in the development of technology within the firm and the execution of project delivery. In a leadership role at Johnson Fain, JED has found success at many levels.

As a design architect his position within the project team is a balance between client delivery, consultant management and building design. This unique position puts him at the center of each project. He is involved with the day-to-day development of the project and is a critical team member from start to finish. JED also leads the firm’s Sustainability and Resilience Lab. His knowledge of the building industry is complemented with his interest in sustainable design and advanced computer modeling. JED is active in the academic environment where he has both taught and been an invited speaker at University of California, Berkeley, USC, UCLA, University of Puerto Rico, and Art Center.

Rebecca Rudolph, AIA – Co-Founder / CCO / Architect at Design, Bitches

Rebecca Rudolph (pictured left) and Catherine Johnson are co-founders of the Los Angeles-based integrative architecture studio Design, Bitches.

The pair are known as rebellious pragmatists, collaborating with notable creative and entrepreneurial clients on commercial and residential architecture, brand identities and experiential concept design.

Johnson combines interiors and architecture acumen to set the ‘do no harm’ approach of the studio to the social environmental impact of the work. She led recent projects including a headquarters for Mortal Media and a house for musicians, and is on the Academic Advisory Council of the University of Oregon.

With a background in philosophy and architecture, Rudolph leads concept design work with innovative retail startups including Modern Animal, and spearheaded the firm’s City of Los Angeles ADU contribution focused on the creation of accessible multi-generational dwellings.

Learning Objectives

AIA CES: 2 LU Approved

Understand the transformation process: Participants will explore the evolution of Runway Playa Vista from an abandoned airfield to a thriving mixed-use community, focusing on the architectural, urban planning, and design strategies used to create a walkable, community-centered space.

Examine urban planning challenges and solutions: Gain insights into the challenges of balancing commercial and residential zones, and learn how collaboration between architects, urban planners, and artists like Ned Kahn contributed to the development of vibrant, livable urban spaces.

Explore the integration of art and environmental graphics in urban spaces: Discover how public art, murals, and environmental graphics, as seen in projects like FREE MARKET and Modern Animal, have enhanced the community’s cultural and visual identity.

Learn about sustainable design and community engagement: Understand the role of sustainability in urban redevelopment, and how creating spaces that engage the local community, such as farmers markets and public art installations, contributes to the long-term success of the development.

Thank you to our incredible Sponsors!