Janice Axon, Hon. AIA

The AIA Los Angeles remembers Janice Axon, Executive Director of AIA|LA from 1981-1987, and a strong and tireless advocate for architects, architecture, and the associations that support them.

Janice passed away on January 30, 2020. She was 95 years old.

A native New Yorker, Janice Axon arrived in California in 1969 via Houston, Texas, which she described as a “decompression chamber” for the Los Angeles scene. Drawing on years of experience as office/business manager for architecture firms, she immediately obtained that position in the office of Kamnitzer, Marks, Lappin & Vreeland (later Kamnitzer, Cotton & Vreeland), with whom she was associated for the next 12 years or so.

In 1981, Janice became Executive Director of the AIA Los Angeles Chapter, and served in that capacity until mid-1987.

As a member of the Council of Architectural Component Executives (CACE), she initiated and participated in programs at its annual meetings, served on its Board as Director and as Secretary, re-designed, edited and published its newsletter, and led discussions in Component and Institute networking sessions at AIA Conventions and Grassroots programs.

Representing the Chapter ex-officio, Janice attended meetings of the California State Board of Architectural Examiners (CBAE) enforcement committee, where her input resulted in legislation of positive benefit to architects.

An active member of the Women’s Architectural League starting in 1972, Janice served on their board as Director, Chair of its Public Relations Committee, and Parliamentarian.

Elected to the L.A. Architect editorial board in 1976, she continued her participation as a member contributor and assistant.

Janice was instrumental in forming the Architectural Foundation of Los Angeles, served as Treasurer and Secretary, and was the editor and publisher of the AFLA newsletter.

Janice served as the president of the Crestwood Hills Homeowners Association and was Chair of the Crestwood Hills Architectural Review Committee.

A strong advocate for architects and architecture, Janice was published in the Los Angeles Times, the Daily Pacific Builder, and L.A. Architect.

“Janice Axon found her life’s calling with the AIA|LA Chapter. She was a born executive who was admired, respected, and ultimately treasured by all who came within her orbit. Those who had the good fortune of knowing Janice will forever value our memories of her.”

Lester Wertheimer, FAIA
AIA|LA Chapter President, 1981

PHOTO: Janice Axon, Hon. AIA, with her husband Donald Axon, FAIA, FACHA