2018 AIA|LA Presidential Honorees
announced by
American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter
Recipients are responsible for lasting contributions to
the region, architecture, and future generations of designers.

July 12, 2018 (Los Angeles, CA)—Since his beginnings in architecture in 1973, Michael A. Enomoto, FAIA, has quietly worked, often in the background, to enhance Los Angeles. Asked by then mayor Richard Riordan to identify a site for a hockey arena, he suggested a slight realignment at 12th Street and Figueroa could generate a suitable space. Staples Center occupies that site now. When the development of Walt Disney Concert Hall stalled, Riordan returned to Enomoto for counsel; the architect proposed the city turn to a collaborative procurement team to demonstrate construction viability, a process that was used to complete the building. These behind-the-scenes moments, often uncredited, also reflect Enomoto’s support of others within the field and the profession itself. Hired by no less then Norma Merrick Sklarek, FAIA, a woman, born in Harlem, who rose to head Gruen Associates’ Architecture Department, Enomoto, who is now Managing Partner of the firm, has fostered a culture of diversity and inclusion.

It’s this type of service and commitment to the field of architecture and its capacity to improve quality of life for Angelenos that embodies the work of the 2018 American Institute of Architects Los Angeles chapter (AIA|LA) Presidential Honoree recipients.

Take, for instance, the 2018 Building Team winner: the Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Medical Office. This medical facility, which opened in 2017, was built both for communities in need of accessible quality healthcare and by a work force, 48 % of which, lived within five miles of it. Or, consider the recipient of the Emerging Firm award, Edward Ogosta Architecture. The firm elevates the conversation about architecture in neighborhoods through design excellence and the realization of quality design for households that might not have extensive resources.

“These awards are a recognition of an individual’s, a building’s, or a team’s impact on many. How do we advance the field, change it in the long term? How can we increase its impact and expand the opportunities for those who both participate in it and experience it?” noted AIA|LA President Tania Van Herle, AIA, who leads the 2018 AIA|LA board which selected the awardees. “It’s also important to note that the Presidential Honorees, whether an individual, team, or building, impart lasting significance. That’s a very high bar.”

The complete class of 2018 Presidential Honoree recipients are:
+ Gold Medal: Michael A. Enomoto, FAIA – Managing Partner, Gruen Associates
+ Emerging Practice: Ed Ogosta, AIA – Edward Ogosta Architecture
+ 25-Year Award: Los Angeles Central Library Expansion and Historic Renovation (1993)
+ Community Contribution: Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Los Angeles City Council, District 8
+ Design Advocate, Developer: Robin Conerly, President & CEO – West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation and Jesse Slansky – Director of Real Estate Development, West Hollywood Community Housing
+ Design Advocate, Builder: Hathaway Dinwiddie
+ Building Team: Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Medical Offices
+ Honorary AIA|LA: Jenna Hornstock, Hon. AIA|LA – Executive Officer, Transit Oriented Communities, METRO
+ Honorary AIA|LA: Anne Frederiksen, Hon. AIA|LA – Architectural Business Development, Prudential Lighting Products
+ Educator Award: Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter, FAIA – Dean, Woodbury University School of Architecture; Director, WUHO Gallery

The AIA|LA Presidential Honorees are awarded as part of the chapter’s annual Design Awards program. At the Design Awards Presidential Honorees awards are bestowed and recipients of juried Design Awards are announced and celebrated. Three categories of the latter are recognized: built projects, as yet unbuilt or uncompleted architecture, and projects that demonstrate excellence in sustainable design and performance.

The 2018 Design Awards Ceremony and Party is slated for the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on Tuesday, October, 30, 2018. The evening kicks-off with a reception at 6PM, followed by an awards ceremony at 7PM. Après-ceremony festivities include a party, dinner and assorted-revelry.

For ticket purchase, use this link: https://tinyurl.com/AIALA-design-awards-party-2018

Or, for more information about the 2018 design awards visit: https://tinyurl.com/aiala-design-awards

Event: 2018 AIA|LA Design Awards Ceremony + Party
Date: Monday October 30, 2018
Where: The Egyptian Theatre
Early Bird Prices (available through 9/1):
AIA Architect and Affiliate Members – $195
Associate Members – $95
General Public – $255
Tickets remain available after close of early bird price until event sells out, but increase in price

ABOUT THE AIA|LA DESIGN AWARDS.
Recognizing excellence in design, the AIA|LA Design Awards, Next LA Awards and COTE LA Awards are the most prestigious honors bestowed by the AIA|LA on Los Angeles-based architects and practices that qualify for AIA|LA membership. The Los Angeles Chapter is one of the largest American Institute of Architects chapters in the United States. Submissions are reviewed by a select group of architects, fellows, critics, professors and theorists, who form a jury that represents the best in the design field.

The AIA|LA wishes to thank the following 2018 AIA|LA Design Awards sponsors (to date):
Presenting Sponsor: Sharpe Interior Systems
Gold Sponsor: ARC Document Solutions
Silver Sponsors: Walter P. Moore
Bronze Sponsors: Psomas, David Lena Photography, Degenkolb Engineers, Nous Engineering, Vantage Technology Consulting Group

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