Tag Archives: mia lehrer

LABC honors PBy with Design Concept Award

The PBy team was honored to receive an award for outstanding Design Concept from the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC) on June 20 at the 42nd Annual Los Angeles Architecture Awards ceremony. Through this awards program, LABC aims to “acknowledge and inspire a community-wide desire to enhance the complex urban fabric of Los Angeles” and honors projects that “demonstrate an extraordinary spirit of innovation and collaboration.”

Emcee Frances Anderton from KCRW and keynote speaker Michael Govan of LACMA both spoke of the connection between architecture, art and the urban fabric while Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa thanked LABC for its many years of design and community support. The room was crowded with talented designers, builders, clients and thought leaders both recognizing and being recognized.  It made the future of Los Angeles seem very bright indeed, and served as another vote of confidence that the Piggyback Yard vision would make it even brighter.

Zocalo: PBy proposes a more integrated LA

Zocalo Public Square invited Piggyback Yard collaborators Marc Salette, Jim Stafford, Mia Lehrer and Michael Maltzan to discuss the promise of a revitalized Los Angeles, and how to build it.  Before a full house at the California Endowment on September 22, moderator Michael Woo, Dean of the College of Environmental Design at Cal Poly Pomona, led the discussion of our “guerilla planning” effort to transform this downtown rail yard into integrated public space, and to transform Los Angeles’ urban culture in the process.  A summary and video of the event are housed on the Zocalo Public Square website.

Mia Lehrer: 8 Questions on LA Urbanisim

1. Given the current climate of economic crisis, governmental turmoil, and a general sense of stasis in the community, how can the city of eternal optimism take advantage of such a historic moment?

The city can take advantage of the moment by rethinking, reinventing, and redefining perception of a place and understand what makes for a rich city experience. Acknowledging that this Los Angeles is an unconventional place where people thrive in a special setting. The mountains, the ocean, and the vast blue sky is the stage for multiple villages that thrive amidst the economic turmoil. Food, music, and artistic pursuits generate an extremely lively milieu. Amidst the multiple crises the younger generations are resourceful, less materialistic, more civically engaged, and ready to make a difference. Continue reading →