Design

The Broad is breaking ground April 9 on an expansion that will add 55,000 square feet — offering more galleries, programming space, and open-air patios.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

UCLA’s cityLAB has launched a design competition where contestants can submit proposals for low-cost, easy-to-build starter homes on vacant city-owned lots.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Nothing says “Los Angeles lifestyle” quite like a house in the hills. For one couple, the appeal is enough to make rebuilding a certainty in spite of the fire risk.

Altadena couple plans to rebuild in danger zone with no reservations

Nothing says “Los Angeles lifestyle” quite like a house in the hills. For one couple, the appeal is enough to make rebuilding a certainty in spite of the fire risk.

from KCRW Features

Volunteers are racing to save historic tiles before bulldozers clear them away from the Eaton Fire area in Altadena. Many are Batchelder tiles that survived on fireplaces.

The race to save historic tiles from post-fire bulldozers

Volunteers are racing to save historic tiles before bulldozers clear them away from the Eaton Fire area in Altadena. Many are Batchelder tiles that survived on fireplaces.

from KCRW Features

Hollywood Forever Cemetary’s new, five-story-tall mausoleum will be able to store the remains of tens of thousands of people.

Hollywood Forever’s new mausoleum is for both the dead and the living

Hollywood Forever Cemetary’s new, five-story-tall mausoleum will be able to store the remains of tens of thousands of people.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

After the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed Gary Scott’s Malibou Lake home, he rebuilt a smaller and more fireproof house on the same land.

After Woolsey Fire, this music composer built his dream house

After the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed Gary Scott’s Malibou Lake home, he rebuilt a smaller and more fireproof house on the same land.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Using film, models, music, and costumes, artist and futurist Liam Young envisions a world where everyone on earth lives together in a single city.

‘Views from Planet City’ imagines climate-friendly megapolis

Using film, models, music, and costumes, artist and futurist Liam Young envisions a world where everyone on earth lives together in a single city.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

We must rethink city planning and development following the LA fires, says UCLA Professor Alex Hall, who advises building homes away from wildlands.

We all pay for future disasters via taxes, insurance rates. How to minimize?

We must rethink city planning and development following the LA fires, says UCLA Professor Alex Hall, who advises building homes away from wildlands.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Architectural historian Erik Ghenoiu and his architect wife made their home more fire-resistant, and they were active in community fire mitigation efforts.

Architectural historian lost his Altadena home. How will he rebuild?

Architectural historian Erik Ghenoiu and his architect wife made their home more fire-resistant, and they were active in community fire mitigation efforts.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A new documentary explores the life and work of Rudolph Schindler, a Frank Lloyd Wright protege who cemented California as a global hub for modern architecture.

Rudolph Schindler: LA architect defined SoCal modernism

A new documentary explores the life and work of Rudolph Schindler, a Frank Lloyd Wright protege who cemented California as a global hub for modern architecture.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Private developers are using LA’s affordable housing policy to build no-frills micro-units for LA workers earning about $75,000 a year.

‘Big white stucco boxes’: LA’s affordable housing future?

Private developers are using LA’s affordable housing policy to build no-frills micro-units for LA workers earning about $75,000 a year.

from KCRW Features

Every year, thousands converge on an Anaheim backyard to see one man's re-creation of Disneyland, complete with model railroad replicas of the park's trains.

‘Just as special as Disneyland,’ backyard trains draw crowds

Every year, thousands converge on an Anaheim backyard to see one man's re-creation of Disneyland, complete with model railroad replicas of the park's trains.

from KCRW Features

The southbound 101 freeway in Agoura Hills will be closed nightly for the next few weeks — as Caltrans continues building a massive wildlife bridge.

Animal highway in Agoura Hills: Construction means freeway closures

The southbound 101 freeway in Agoura Hills will be closed nightly for the next few weeks — as Caltrans continues building a massive wildlife bridge.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Expansions of The Broad museum and the Colburn School represent investments in the arts on Grand Ave. Neither design is oriented toward drivers or parking.

Museums, concerts, and no driving? Grand Ave enters new era

Expansions of The Broad museum and the Colburn School represent investments in the arts on Grand Ave. Neither design is oriented toward drivers or parking.

from KCRW Features

LA City Council officials have announced plans to eliminate traffic lanes, widen sidewalks, and add bike and bus lanes to a three-mile stretch of Hollywood Boulevard.

Hollywood Boulevard: Expect more room for cyclists, walkers, buses

LA City Council officials have announced plans to eliminate traffic lanes, widen sidewalks, and add bike and bus lanes to a three-mile stretch of Hollywood Boulevard.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The designer Iris Apfel, known for her elaborate personal style, died last week at age 102. Author and photographer Ari Seth Cohen talks about her legacy.

‘She was just like living art’: Remembering style icon Iris Apfel

The designer Iris Apfel, known for her elaborate personal style, died last week at age 102. Author and photographer Ari Seth Cohen talks about her legacy.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A Malibu mansion and a humble home in Ventura have something in common: Their carbon emissions are net-zero. Is this the next trend in home building?

Zero-carbon homes exist. Can you really live in one?

A Malibu mansion and a humble home in Ventura have something in common: Their carbon emissions are net-zero. Is this the next trend in home building?

from KCRW Features

The 366-foot-tall Vegas entertainment orb known as Sphere is drawing crowds for its U2 residency. West Hollywood and Santa Monica are exploring building similar structures.

Vegas Sphere inspires offshoots in LA

The 366-foot-tall Vegas entertainment orb known as Sphere is drawing crowds for its U2 residency. West Hollywood and Santa Monica are exploring building similar structures.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In 2016, Highland Park’s Judson Studios took on a years-long effort to create the world’s largest stained glass window. It’s chronicled in the new documentary “Holy Frit.”

Tiny LA studio makes the world’s biggest stained glass window

In 2016, Highland Park’s Judson Studios took on a years-long effort to create the world’s largest stained glass window. It’s chronicled in the new documentary “Holy Frit.”

from Greater LA

New furniture is often made with cheap , flimsy materials, even those from West Elm and Restoration Hardware. Where can consumers find reliable, affordable options?

How furniture became the new fast fashion

New furniture is often made with cheap , flimsy materials, even those from West Elm and Restoration Hardware. Where can consumers find reliable, affordable options?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand