LA Forum Reader

The Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design is an independent nonprofit organization that instigates dialogues on design and the built environment through public programming, exhibitions, and publications. L.A. is a catalytic place for architecture and design, offering lessons that extend globally. Our curatorial stance frames and challenges what architecture means in an evolving city. A critical voice in L.A. since 1987, the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design's activities bring together architects, artists, designers, urban thinkers, and the public. Through each decade the Forum has vigorously interrogated the culture of architecture and urban design in L.A. A dedicated, working Board of Directors - members of L.A.'s architecture and design communities - produces our public programming and publications. Our events, newsletters, books, and competitions speculate on urbanism and create dialogues around contemporary design. Our programming routinely features the work of emerging and boundary-pushing designers. Ideas fomented include the codification of The LA School and the development of "everyday urbanism." Over the decades, Forum research has included typological analyses of boulevards, dead malls, and dingbat housing. Influential publications originated with the Forum include Experimental Architecture in Los Angeles (1992), Everyday Urbanism (1999), The Infrastructural City: Networked Ecologies in Los Angeles (2008), and Dingbats 2.0 (2106). With Contributions of Robert Adams Rachel Allen Rob Berry Aaron Betsky Central Office of Architecture Marco Cenzatti John Chase Margaret Crawford Chava Danielson Joe Day Steven Flusty Russell Fortmeyer Todd Gannon Alan Hess Craig Hodgetts Victor Jones Ted Kane Sylvia Lavin Douglas MacLeod Tom Marble Michael Sweeney Christopher Tandon Kazys Varnelis