The RUM is a repeating public forum to discuss progress related to the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan.  Held this time at the LA River School – a pilot school of the Sonia Sotomayor Learning Academies – Dr Carol Armstrong from the Bureau of Engineering’s River Office emceed the evening, which prominently featured Councilmember Ed Reyes and Army Corps Planner Dr Josehpine Axt. 

The focus was on projects and policies IN PROGRESS, those which we may all be able to experience in the near future.  While these first efforts may be relatively modest in scale, the sheer number of them is exciting – from pocket parks to pedestrian bridges to educational events – and the energy was palpable. 

A bonus of the PBy group was seeing the Piggyback Yard / Mission Rail Yard publically listed by the Army Corps as a study site for their LA River Ecosystem Restoration Study.  The shortlist of study sites to pursue further is due out later this year, and it would be a windfall is Piggyback was one!

The Jury commended the PBy project for its visionary thinking, ability to bring together communities as never before and setting the course to make Los Angeles a resilient city. On hand to receive the award included: Carl Meyer, AIA (Perkins+Will), Ben Feldmann, ASLA (Mia Lehrer + Associates) and Jim Stafford, AIA ( Perkins+Will).

PBy’s own Leigh Christy was asked to introduce the topic of Bioclimatic Design, and used the Piggyback Yard as an exemplary case study.  PBy was a perfect introduction to the idea that not only is bioclimatic design a response to natural environmental climate, but it is also a result of human social, economic, political and historic climates.  Hence, any design is really an insertion into existing systems; the design process becomes more like systems engineering with the infusion of humanity and art; the result is necessarily a living organism codependent on it surrounds.

Subsequent speakers supported the idea of systems-based thinking at integrated levels, reminding attendees that adaptive, high-efficiency, multi-valent, long-term solutions are needed today – and tomorrow.

Thanks to the students of Woodbury for putting on such a refreshingly successful program.

Founded in 1979, the Monterey Design conference has become the “Renaissance Weekend” for architects. Held in Pacific Grove at the historic Asilomar Conference Grounds founded in 1913, this year’s conference was full of inspiration and practical advice for architects and designers.  As always, the conference curated speakers ranging from “Emerging Talent” Andrew Kudless of Matsys to “Tribal Elder” Peter Walker.  Featured speakers included PBy’s own Michael Maltzan as well as imports Jeanne Gang from Studio Gang of Chicago and  Tom Kundig from Olson Kundig Architects of Seattle.

Much discussion revolved around appropriating disregarded spaces,  viewing even the most urban of areas as landscape, and searching for ways to harness the power of “gizmos” and technology for a higher purpose.  Sound familiar?

“This is the right place for Los Angeles to invest in the future; it’s an extraordinarily large resource.”

“It improves quality of life across a spectrum of vibrant neighborhoods that are typically ignored, and invigorates the east side of Downtown Los Angeles.”

“At the scale of infrastructure, this complex study weaves together numerous natural and synthetic forces to produce an image of an inclusive urban park that is so deperately needed in Los Angeles.”

Thanks to WUF and congratulations to everyone involved!

Dozens of audience members stayed after the presentation to participate in a lively discussion on community outreach and implementation.  The need for additional public involvement as the project moves closer to implementation is indeed crucial in order to ensure that “place-making” serves as a community uniter and not another neighborhood divider.  Audience members encouraged us to continue to focus on the single human experience amidst the multi-acre planning.  The scale of this proposal is large enough to encompass multiple facets and still maintain cohesiveness; it isn’t whether soccer or habitat restoration or urban farming should occur, but how can these programs be designed, allocated and placed to best coexist?  Ultimately, the users of the spaces can and should take part in answering these more specific questions. 

On the other hand, the intent of the PBy work thus far is to demonstrate in a convincing manner that change at this scale is not only possible but necessary in order to create the sustainable urban environments individual Angelenos want and need.  Just as important, the intent of PBy is to spark discussion (virtual and otherwise) on how to bring about this process.  We hope our readers are participating in this critical dialogue as well…

More information and images here:  http://www.citechaillot.fr/exposition/expositions_temporaires.php?id=161