Frances Anderton is host of DnA: Design and Architecture, a weekly radio show broadcast on KCRW NPR station in Los Angeles.
For many years she produced KCRW's acclaimed current affairs shows, To The Point, and Which Way, LA?, hosted by Warren Olney.
With producer Avishay Artsy she created Bridges and Walls, a series about the barriers and connections--both metaphorical and physical--shaping life in California today; it was supported by the California Arts Council. This led to a new series, airing summer 2018, called This is Home in LA: From the Tent to the Gigamansion (and Everything In Between.)
Anderton also curates events and exhibitions; these include the architecture section of the 2010 California Design Biennial, Action/Reaction, at the Pasadena Museum of California Art; and Sink Or Swim: Designing For a Sea Change, a critically received exhibition about resilient architecture, shown from December 2014 to May 2015 at the Annenberg Space for Photography.
She has served as correspondent for the New York Times and Dwell magazine. Her books include Grand Illusion: A Story of Ambition, and its Limits, on LA’s Bunker Hill, based on a studio she co-taught with Frank Gehry and partners at USC School of Architecture.
Honors include the Esther McCoy 2010 Award for her work in educating the public about architecture and urbanism from USC School of Architecture’s Architectural Guild; she was SCI-Arc’s "Honored Guest" at its 2018 Main Event.
Anderton was raised in Bath, England, and studied architecture at the Bartlett at University College London. She subsequently became associate editor of the Architectural Review. Her first assignment was life-changing: to produce a special report on new architecture in Los Angeles.
Published in December 1987, this issue put a spotlight on the experimental design of Frank Gehry, Morphosis, Eric Owen Moss, Hodgetts & Fung and other West Coast talents.
Anderton fell in love with LA, and moved there in 1991, becoming editor-in-chief of AIA/LA’s monthly publication L.A. Architect.
After the 1992 Rodney King riots, KCRW radio station launched Which Way, LA?, hosted by Warren Olney, and Anderton determined to work on that show, setting her on a road that lead to DnA: Design and Architecture, which brings design alive with stories of how it shapes lives, in LA and beyond.
Frances Anderton on KCRW
More from KCRW
Self-induced abortion, suicide: Revisit history of Carmel resident
CaliforniaA chilling account of one woman’s self-induced abortion sheds light on the history of Carmel. Joe Mathews says it undermines SCOTUS’ justification for ending Roe v. Wade.
Renovated Hollyhock House: Flower motif, art glass, Maya stonework
DesignThe 5,000-square-foot Hollyhock House in East Hollywood was renovated during COVID, and on August 18, it’ll reopen to the public.
To infinity and beyond with JPL’s new director
ScienceLaurie Leshin, JPL’s new director, wants to explore the far reaches of space, find evidence of life on Mars, and make the institution more inclusive.
David Lynch Theater Presents: Weather Report for July 25, 2022
Los AngelesDavid Lynch Theater Presents: Weather Report for July 25, 2022.
Vin Scully was known for his encyclopedic knowledge, voice, delivery
SportsLA is in mourning after iconic Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully died Tuesday at age 94. He called Dodgers games for 67 seasons before retiring in 2016. Mo Ostin died this week at age 95.
David Lynch Theater Presents: Weather Report for August 3, 2022
Los AngelesDavid Lynch Theater Presents: Weather Report for August 3, 2022.
'It's like traveling culture': Bill Pickett Black rodeo
Race & EthnicityThe Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is the only nationally recognized Black rodeo in the U.S. Today it reaches more than 130,000 spectators, which makes it more popular than ever.
David Lynch Theater Presents: Weather Report for August 10, 2022
Los AngelesDavid Lynch Theater Presents: Weather Report for August 10, 2022.
Steve Martin can't imagine 'Only Murders in the Building' without Selena Gomez
EntertainmentActor, comedian, musician, and producer Steve Martin had been invited to one of talent manager’s Sandy Gallin’s showbiz parties in New York.