It Wasn't All Bad: Bright Spots in LA in 2010

Guest Interview

Bright Spots in a Bad Year ()

Even if 2010 was tough on the design and construction industry in LA there were still some—even surprising—bright spots. DnA asked some design and architecture experts to offer their choice of the best thing to happen to the built environment in the past year, and found that creating community was a dominant theme. Hear Juan Devis, Christopher Hawthorne, Linda Dishman, Sam Lubell, Rochelle Mills, Guy Horton and Katherine Perez on such highlights as connecting neighborhoods with the Expo Line, taking back the streets with CicLAvia and bringing fine architecture to Skid Row.

Guests:

• Rochelle Mills: Director of Mills Studio and founder of Architours
• Sam Lubell: California Editor, The Architect's Newspaper
• Juan Devis: Director of Production, KCET New Media, @jdevis
• Katherine Aguilar Perez: Executive Director, Urban Land Institute Los Angeles
• Christopher Hawthorne: Architecture Critic, Los Angeles Times, @hawthorneLAT
• Linda Dishman: Executive Director of the Los Angeles Conservancy
• Guy Horton: Architecture Critic, Huffington Post

Guest Interview

Designing Women at the Downtown Women's Center ()

Women are the fastest growing homeless population in the country. So the Downtown Women's Center has opened a new complex that includes permanent residences, a day center, as well as a store and café, on Skid Row. The architect Maureen Sullivan, of Pica + Sullivan Architects, DWC executive director Lisa Watson and DWC residents talk about the healing power of good design—by women, for women.

Downtown Women's Center

Guests:

• Maureen Sullivan: Architect and Principal, Pica + Sullivan
• Lisa Watson: Executive Director, Downtown Women's Center
• Fannie Mayfield: Visitor, Downtown Women's Center
• Chris Gonzales: Resident, Downtown Women's Center

Guest Interview

The Passion Behind the Rose Parade ()

The Rose Parade has been rolling through the streets of Pasadena for an astounding 122 years. But rather than wither under the onslaught of competing entertainments, it has bloomed into a massive event, uniting thousands of designers and volunteers in the annual creation of the floats. DnA talks to veteran float designer Raul Rodriguez, his manager Robert Cash, floral director Jim Hynd and others about the passionate commitment and collective design process behind the New Year’s Day floral spectacle.

Discover float, designed by Raul Rodriguez, before flowers are added

Volunteers at work on Fiesta Parade Floats

City of Torrance float, designed by Raul Rodriguez, before flowers are added

Guests:

• Robert Cash: General Manager, Raul R. Rodriguez Design, Inc.
• Jim Hynd: Floral Director, Fiesta Parade Floats
• Raul Rodriguez: Designer and Principal, Raul R. Rodriguez Design, Inc.