Archinect - Features

Barbara Bestor Reflects on the Julius Shulman Institute and Woodbury University's Commitment to Celebrating Architectural Photography Through Exhibition

2021-10-29T10:13:00-04:00

Architecture and photography are two disciplines whose relationship has blossomed into visual documentation used repeatedly for reference, inspiration, and research. While there are many architectural photographers whose work has been exemplary in presenting the public with a glimpse into the world of architecture, Julius Shulman remains an industry icon and pioneer in the field. Since 2005, the Julius Shulman Institute (JSI) has acted as an important bridge for Woodbury University to connect the public with the disciplines of architecture and photography. To learn more about the JSI, its history, and its mission, I spoke with Woodbury University's Julius Shulman Distinguished Professor of Practice and Executive Director of the JSI, Barbara Bestor.

"Our goal is to change the way Architecture and photography of the built environment are understood and presented in our culture and museums," shared Bestor. "It's rare for there to be an architecture department in any given museum. On t...

"They Should Have a Sense of Agency and Be Able to Speak Truth to Power": Barbara Bestor on What She Looks for in New Hires

2020-03-04T13:37:00-05:00

Since Barbara Bestor started her eponymous practice, Bestor Architecture, in 1995 she has worked to extend the boundaries of contemporary architecture and landscape architecture by focusing her multi-disciplinary staff on a variety of refined and innovative projects. The firm has steadily grown over the years and is hitting a new stride with several larger and more technically-complex projects on the way.

So what does Bestor Architecture look for in their most promising job candidates? Which aspects of their experience should candidates highlight if they land an interview? For the latest “How To Get A Job At ____”, Archinect Founder Paul Petrunia connects with Barbara Bestor to learn more about the qualities she seeks in the firm's employees, while also touching on the professional and creative ethos she wants to instill and build upon in her practice.

For a deeper look at the ins and outs of Bestor Architecture as a practice, check out the Studio Visit feature story we recently pub...

Studio Visits: Bestor Architecture

2019-12-18T09:00:00-05:00

Since 1995, Bestor Architecture has upended architecture and design by infusing their projects with a bold use of pattern, color, and graphics. The steadily growing practice is almost single-handedly responsible for generating California’s now-ubiquitous “Bohemian Modern” style that blends Mid-Century Modern formalism with earthy materiality and contemporary image culture references to generate a cool but comfortable aesthetic that has global appeal.

Known mainly for ground-breaking residential designs, lively office interiors, and tasteful historic restorations, as Bestor Architecture hits its mid-20s, the firm has its sights set on going even bigger. With her finger on the pulse of contemporary culture and a self-motivated staff in the office, firm founder and principal Barbara Bestor is striving to broaden her reach to include transformative urbanism, housing, the 2028 Olympics, and more.

For our latest Studio Visit, Archinect’s Paul Petrunia got in touch with Bestor to dig into...

From Dr. Dre to John Lautner, it all started here. The Panel House by Barbara Bestor.

2018-08-10T09:00:00-04:00

From the Ground Up is a series on Archinect focused on discovering the early stages & signs of history's most prolific architects. Starting from the beginning allows us to understand the long journey architecture takes in even the formative of hands and often, surprising shifts that occur in its journey. These early projects grant us a glimpse into the early, naive, ambitious and at points rough edges of soon to be architectural masters.