The 2020 AIA|LA Architectural Photography Awards Jury is composed of: Benny Chan, Fotoworks, Andre Kikoski, AIA, LEED AP, Andre Kikoski Architect and Emily Bills, educator, curator, and author.

Benny Chan, Fotoworks

Benny Chan received a Bachelor of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in 1992. While there he won the Henry Adams Student Award and the 1992 Paris Prize. After graduation he traveled in Europe and photographed great works of architecture. He had always held a great interest in photography, and his love for the medium grew during this time. 

After returning to the states he went back to architecture and worked for Skidmore Owings & Merrill and then for Neil M. Denari Architects. He finally decided to dedicate more time to photography and in 1993 he founded Fotoworks. He has been shooting commercially for 14 years, during which time his projects have been published in many books and magazines around the world, such as Interior Design, Frame, Domus and Architectural Record. His background in architecture provides a unique understanding of space and structure as it translates to photography, bringing complementary and knowledgeable skills to his clients.

Even with a busy professional career, Benny has always found time to shoot images for his own pleasure. Recently he has put more time and energy into his fine art photography, and recent projects include an aerial exploration of Southern California traffic, graphic shots of airports, and photos of lonely Laundromats. 

Benny is able to find symmetry and beauty in simple or complex architecture, and his love of the art comes through clearly in his photographs. His approach is the same for his fine art and commercial work. He takes the time to look at all structures as not many people take the time to see them; that is, making a deliberate choice of angle and perspective. You can often see the direct relationship to perspective drawings in his photography. He works hard to create clear images that stand out in a world crowded with visual stimulation.

Andre Kikoski, Andre Kikoski Architect

Andre Kikoski, AIA, LEED AP, is the founding principal of Andre Kikoski Architect. The firm’s approach produces designs that integrate art and architecture, embraces craftsmanship and material innovation, celebrates a sense of place, and unifies people by activating their senses to create emotional connection points and build community. Our work includes iconic cultural, residential, hospitality, and retail projects for accomplished entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and taste-makers including The Guggenheim Museum, The Related Companies at Hudson Yards, The Howard Hughes Corporation, The Kohler Companies, Ligne Roset, Saks Fifth Avenue, Swarovski Crystal, and most recently, DHA Capital at 75 Kenmare Street. Grounded by enduring architectural principles and driven by innovation, the firm is currently designing projects in North America, Asia, and Europe.

Emily Bills, Educator & Author

Emily Bills is an educator, author, and curator based in Los Angeles. She earned her PhD from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University and is a Professor and Coordinator of the Urban Studies Program at Woodbury University. Emily’s work on telephone infrastructure and Los Angeles’ development has received recognition from the Graham Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, the Southern California Historical Society and the Haynes Foundation, among others. Her book Telephone City: How Telecommunication Built Los Angeles is forthcoming from University of Pittsburgh Press.

Emily also curates and writes about architectural photography. She is the former Managing Director of the Julius Shulman Institute and has co-curated exhibitions on contemporary photographers of the built environment, including Iwan Baan, Richard Barnes, Hélène Binet, Pedro E. Guerrero, and Catherine Opie. Her recent publications include the award-winning book California Captured (Phaidon, 2018) on photographer Marvin Rand, co-authored with Pierluigi Serraino and Sam Lubell. She is currently working on a book about Late Modern architectural photographer Wayne Thom.