Archinect - News

Cal Poly Pomona architecture students aim to address homelessness with mobile dwelling design

2021-05-16T13:48:00-04:00

"The idea for us has been to create that infrastructure around it, Not just given the houses, but created that environment around that gives them employment, gives them functionality, gives them purpose, gives them hope."

A group of Cal Poly Pomona architecture students developed and built mobile housing that can move around as needed.

Dr. Behn Samareh who is leading the effort of the students says, "(it's) much easier to build a mobile structure, one that is not connected to the ground, much easier to build one of those in terms of code restrictions than it is attached component. A critical element is the use of land owned by the government. In this case, it's Bureau of Land Management land near the Salton Sea which was originally developed as a trailer park complete with infrastructure. But now, it sits vacant."

California Polytechnic University, Pomona's Dept of Architecture awards Toyo Ito the 2021 Richard J. Neutra Award for Professional Excellence

2021-04-14T15:52:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by Cal State Polytechnic University, Pomona, an Archinect School Partner

The Department of Architecture, California Polytechnic University, Pomona is pleased to award Toyo Ito the 2021 Richard J. Neutra Award for Professional Excellence. The Neutra Award recognizes the contributions that Richard Neutra, an acclaimed modern architect, and former Cal Poly Pomona lecturer, made to the practice of architecture in the areas of research and design. The Neutra Award acknowledges individuals who have dedicated their careers to researching and developing new environments in which to work, live and play.

Mr. Ito (1941-), graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1965 and worked in the office of Kiyonori Kikutake until 1969. In 1971, he founded his own office Urban Robot (URBOT), which was renamed Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects.

Mr. Ito is the recipient of numerous awards for his innovative and forward-looking architecture. He is the recipient of the Golden Lion ...

California State Universities announce plans for an all-online fall semester

2020-05-14T18:41:00-04:00

As universities across the country begin to plan for an unpredictable fall semester, the California State University (CSU) system has made the decision to preemptively schedule its fall semester courses online.

The New York Times reports that the school system, which operates 23 campuses and educates a student population of 480,000, is opting for the approach out of an abundance of caution and as fears of a so-called "second wave" of coronavirus infections increases while states begin to lift stay-at-home ordinances.

Previously on Archinect: "Universities begin planning for an unpredictable fall semester." Harvard and University of Pennsylvania have outlined their intentions to start the coming semester one way or another. Image courtesy of Wikimedia User Joseph Williams.

Timothy P. White, the chancellor of the California State University system, tells The New York Times, “Our university, when open without restrictions and fully in person, as is the traditional norm of the past, is a...

How Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design is helping students navigate career opportunities during COVID-19

2020-04-23T14:27:00-04:00

While the architecture industry is seeing a dramatic reduction in employment opportunities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting hit to the economy, Archinect Jobs and our Talent Finder recruitment tool continue to offer the top resources in the industry for job-seekers and firms to connect professionally. Archinect is working hard to develop new tools and strategies to assist with recruitment. If you are a firm looking for better ways to attract the best talent, or if you're one of the thousands of architects that have recently lost their jobs, please let us know so we can help you.

Earlier this month, Cal Poly Pomona's College of Environmental Design (CPP ENV) appointed the department's first ENV Career Specialist in an effort to guide and address the looming questions students have during this time. Archinect was able to connect with CPP ENV's Career Specialist Alie Ivie to unpack the college's efforts to provide resources and support to their students.

Interview wit...

Get Lectured: Cal Poly Pomona 2019-20

2019-09-19T13:45:00-04:00

Archinect's Architecture School Lecture Guide for Fall 2019

With a new school year already here, it's time for Archinect's latest edition of Get Lectured, an ongoing series where we feature a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the current term. Check back regularly to keep track of any upcoming lectures you don't want to miss.

Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your school's lecture series poster and details to connect@archinect.com.

The California Polytechnic University, Pomona's Department of Architecture kicks off their 2019-20 Bernard Zimmerman Lecture Series tomorrow with a lecture from Kevin Daly. Happening through April 2020, this stellar lecture line-up also features Jennifer Bonner, Alejandro Aravena — who will receive the 2019 Richard Neutra Award, Heather Roberge, Teddy Cruz + Fonna Forman, Kristy Balliet + Kelly Bair, Michael Maltzan, and Anna Lacaton + Jean-Philippe Vassal.

Check out previous posters on the Get Lectured Pinterest page...

Move over air conditioners, bioclimatic design is beating the heat when it comes to regulating building temperatures

2019-07-19T13:39:00-04:00

...an approach known as bioclimatic design: using the environment around a building to passively manage the temperature and light inside, rather than mechanically heat and cool a space. Structures designed that way are energy efficient, which leaves them with a smaller carbon footprint.

Cities across the U.S. are experiencing heat waves. However, designing cities and structures for hot climates is nothing new. Early architects have developed design solutions for regulating temperatures. Yet, with this progression, a reliance has grown towards cooling systems like air conditioners creating a dependency that affects users and the environment.

In an article written by the Daily Beast, Nicole Wetsman chats with architect, professor, and sustainable design leader Pablo La Roche. As faculty at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona and sustainability consultant for CallisonRTKL, La Roche has dedicated much of his work exploring passive cooling systems, carbon-neutral architecture, and affordable housing. In his conversation with Wetsman, La Roche shares, "The building becomes the air conditioner [...] It's about understanding the mechanisms."

From improved insulation to better building facade designs, Westman goes on to elaborate on these methods of practice...

AIA|LA recognizes the work of California's architecture students at the 2019 2x8:Exchange Competition

2019-05-15T15:04:00-04:00

This week the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles chapterfeatures work from architecture students in California. The 2x8: Exchange is a three-pronged program that provides students the opportunity to submit their work for the competition, be apart of the student exhibition, as well as provide scholarship opportunities. Now in its 13th iteration, the competition received participation from 16 schools throughout the state to participate in the annual show. In celebration of California's unrivaled diversity in academic pedagogy and programming, each school selects two students to represent the program's ethos and vision.

2x8:Exchange at Helms Design Center, 2019. Image courtesy of Katherine Guimapang

Open to the public, this year's student exhibition takes place in Culver City at the Helms Design Center. Focusing on a forward-thinking take of gallery presentation and setting the show features VR immersion stations, a zero-waste plan, and an ornate display of student work in th...

The Neutra VDL House Celebrates its National Historic Landmark Status

2017-04-26T13:13:00-04:00

Built in 1932, the VDL Research House designed by Richard Neutra is one of Southern California’s modernist gems. Now it has been named a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior following the tireless work of its owners, the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation and, in particular, the VDL House director and chair of the architecture department at Cal Poly, Sarah Lorenzen. The effort was assisted by Los Angeles Congressman Adam Schiff, who helped celebrate the designation last Sunday.

Neutra’s third building in the United States, and his own private home, the House is said to encapsulate his ideas. For the famed Austrian-American architect, the role of contemporary architecture was to shape life in the modern world, marked by new technologies and new lifestyles. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the House is “the only property where one can see the progression of his style over a period of years and is among the key properties to understanding the nation...

Get Lectured: Cal Poly Pomona, Fall '16

2016-10-17T15:05:00-04:00

Gearing up for another eventful school year this fall? Archinect's Get Lectured is back in session. Get Lectured is an ongoing series where we feature a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the current term. Check back frequently to keep track of any upcoming lectures you don't want to miss. Mark those calendars!

Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your school's lecture series poster and details to connect@archinect.com.

See what lectures are taking place at the Cal Poly Pomona Department of Architecture. Don't miss the special 2016 Richard Neutra Award for Professional Excellence lecture by Carme Pinós!

Oct 21
Hadrian Predock / Hadrian Predock Architecture + USC

Nov 4
Erin Besler / Besler and Sons/UCLA

Nov 18
Hunter Knight / Weather Projects

Nov 14: 2016 Richard Neutra Award for Professional Excellence
Carme Pinós / Estudio Carme Pinós
at University Theatre, 6:30 p.m.

All other lectures will take place in the IDC (building A9a). Free + open to the public.
For mor...

Get Lectured: Cal Poly Pomona, Winter '16

2016-01-12T13:50:00-05:00

Archinect's Architecture School Lecture Guide for Winter/Spring 2016

Archinect's Get Lectured is back in session. Get Lectured is an ongoing series where we feature a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the current term. Check back frequently to keep track of any upcoming lectures you don't want to miss.

Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your school's lecture series poster and details to connect@archinect.com.

Our next featured poster comes from the Cal Poly Pomona, Department of Architecture with their Winter '16 series.

Lectures take place on Fridays at noon in the IDC (building 89).

Jan 15
Michele Saee / Saee Studio

Jan 29
Jennifer Marmon / PAR

Feb 5
Wonne Ickx / Productora

Feb 26
Annie Chu / Chu-Gooding Architects

March 4
Patrick Tighe / Tighe Architects

For more info, click here.

Check out previous posters on the Get Lectured Pinterest page!

Educational space for flourishing community garden, Huerta Del Valle, Ontario, California

2016-01-03T13:14:00-05:00

When three architecture students from Cal Poly Pomona, Kirill Volchinskiy, Hana Lemseffer and Necils Lopez invest their skills and resources with the community, the possibilities are endless.

We are a team of 3 architecture students who have worked for a year to make this project a reality and today we need the final push to materialize the desires and needs of a community.

Why crowdsource architecture?

Crowdsourcing building projects puts financial power back in the hands of the people. By focusing on one public space project at a time, communities can develop built public space with the help of other communities. With the internet and platforms like Kickstarter, public projects paid by people for communities in need become a feasible reality.

This is their story. educational space for flourishing community garden

Get Lectured: Cal Poly Pomona, 2015 Neutra Award lecture

2015-10-23T16:53:00-04:00

Archinect's Architecture School Lecture Guide for Fall 2015

Archinect's Get Lectured is ready for another school year. Get Lectured is an ongoing series where we feature a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the current term. Check back frequently to keep track of any upcoming lectures you don't want to miss.

Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your school's lecture series poster and details to connect@archinect.com.

Our next featured poster is a special event from Cal Poly Pomona's Fall '15 architecture lecture series. Next Monday, Enrique Norten of TEN arquitectos will deliver the Neutra Award lecture in honor of receiving the 2015 Neutra Award for Professional Excellence.

Rutgers Business School by TEN arquitectos.

Established in 1980, the award is presented to distinguished architects, landscape architects, and individuals outside of the field who have made lasting contributions to environmental design and public policy.

The lecture takes place at the ...

Get Lectured: Cal Poly Pomona, Fall '15

2015-09-03T12:00:00-04:00

Archinect's Architecture School Lecture Guide for Fall 2015

Archinect's Get Lectured is ready for another school year! Get Lectured is an ongoing series where we feature a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the current term. Check back frequently to keep track of any upcoming lectures you don't want to miss.

Our next featured poster comes from the California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, Department of Architecture with their upcoming Fall 2015 Lecture Series.

Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your school's lecture series poster and details to connect@archinect.com.

All lectures, except for the Neutra Award lecture, take place on Fridays at noon in building 89 (IDC). Free and open to the public.

Oct 9
Fred Fisher / Fredrick Fisher and Partners

Oct 26
6:30 p.m.
Enrique Norten / Ten Arquitectos: Neutra Award Medal
at University Theater

Oct 30
Margaret Griffin / Griffin Enright Architects

Nov 6
Peter Zellner / Zellner Naecker Architects

Nov 13
Dana Cuff / UC...

Get Lectured: Cal Poly Pomona, Spring '15

2015-04-01T12:43:00-04:00

Archinect's Architecture School Lecture Guide for Winter-Spring 2015

Archinect's Get Lectured is back in session! Get Lectured is an ongoing series where we feature a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the current term. Check back frequently to keep track of any upcoming lectures you don't want to miss.

Our latest poster comes from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Department of Architecture. Their Spring '15 Architecture Lecture Series starts this Friday, April 3.

Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your school's lecture series poster and details to connect@archinect.com.

All lectures to take place @ the IDC, Building 89A at 12:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.* Lectures may take place at an alternate location TBD. Open to the public.

April 3
David Freeland / Freeland Buck

April 10
Andrew Kovacs / UCLA AUD

April 17
Frank Escher and Ravi GuneWardena / Escher GuneWardena Architecture

April 24
Leo Marmol / Marmol Radziner Architects*

May 8
Dwayne Oyler...

Get Lectured: Cal Poly Pomona, Winter '15

2015-01-19T13:13:00-05:00

Archinect's Architecture School Lecture Guide for Winter-Spring 2015

The next featured poster comes from the Cal Poly Pomona Department of Architecture with their Winter '15 lecture series starting this Friday.

Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your school's lecture series poster and details to connect@archinect.com.

Lectures will take place on Fridays at 12 p.m. in Building 89, Cal Poly Pomona. All lectures are open to the public.

Jan 23
Courtney Embrey / 2014 LT Shanks Scholarship Winner

Jan 30
Alvin Huang / Founder of Synthesis Design + Architecture

Feb 6
John Adams / Managing Director, Gensler - Los Angeles

Feb 13
Seth Grizzle and Jonathan Junker / Directors, Greypants Seattle

March 6
Peter Testa / Founder, Testa | Weiser

For ...

SCI-Arc co-founder Michael Rotondi to receive Richard J. Neutra Medal at Cal Poly Pomona

2014-11-03T20:14:00-05:00

Architect Michael Rotondi will receive the Richard J. Neutra Medal tonight from the College of Environmental Design at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The Richard J. Neutra Medal for Professional Excellence was established to recognize the contributions that Neutra made to the practice of architecture in research and design. The Medal awards individuals for their dedication to the research and development of new environments in everyday life.

Rotondi, who is currently principal of RoTo Architects in Los Angeles, distinguished himself in architectural education when he co-founded SCI-Arc in 1972 and then later succeeded Ray Kappe as the school's director. Rotondi also previously worked in Morphosis with Thom Mayne in 1975.

Learn more about Rotondi on Bustler.

Get Lectured: Cal Poly Pomona, Fall '14

2014-10-20T13:16:00-04:00

Archinect's Architecture School Lecture Guide for Fall 2014

Say hello to another edition of Archinect's Get Lectured! As a refresher, we'll be featuring a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the current term. If you're not doing so already, be sure to keep track of any upcoming lectures you don't want to miss.

Our featured poster for today comes from the California State Polytechnic University of Pomona, Department of Architecture in Pomona, CA.

Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your school's lecture series poster and details to connect@archinect.com.

Below are upcoming lectures only. Unless noted*, lectures take place at noon in Bldg 89 (Interim Design Center) at the Cal Poly Pomona campus.

Oct. 24
BENJAMIN BALL / Ball-Nogues Studio

Oct. 31
JIMENEZ LAI / Bureau Spectacular

Nov. 3
MICHAEL ROTUNDI / Roto Architects
*at Bldg 25 (University Theater)

Nov. 14
ANDREW ATWOOD, ANNA NIEMARK / First Office

For further details and other updates, click here.

Check out previo...

Get Lectured: Cal Poly, Pomona

2014-10-11T22:14:21-04:00

Upcoming Cal Poly Pomona events at the historic Neutra VDL House in L.A.

2013-11-27T15:14:00-05:00

In need of weekend plans for December? Some fun Saturday events are happening at the Neutra VDL House in Los Angeles. If you're around the area, be sure to check 'em out!

Event details are right below:

RELIER Fundraiser & Cocktail Party | December 14, Doors open 4 p.m.

The RELIER team -- an alumni group from the Cal Poly Pomona architecture program -- would like to invite you to our Fundraiser & Cocktail Party hosted at the historical VDL House.

Join RELIER for cocktails as we provide our vision and plans for the exhibition ahead. We will be hosting a silent auction, with items designed by various Cal Poly Alumni and faculty. All donations will go toward the production of RELIER 2014.

Featured Artists include:

Manny Torres
Ando Pndlian
Bryony Roberts
Andy Wilcox
MIA Studio
Axel Schmitzberger
and many more!

For event tickets and additional information, visit http://www.relierexhibit.com.

Opening of Non-Mechanical Repetition Installations | December 7, 6 to 8 p.m.

Come to the opening of the Non-Mec...

Timber in the City Competition: Design Students Imagine a Mixed-Use Complex for Red Hook

2013-08-14T13:47:00-04:00

The Timber in the City competition organized by ACSA, the Binational Softwood Lumber Council, and Parsons The New School for Design, attracted over 1,000 architecture students and young professionals to create proposals for a mid-rise, mixed-use complex addressing NYC housing needs. The winners were chosen by a panel of leading architects and professors based on the use of wood as the primary structural material while meeting the needs of the Brooklyn waterfront community.

See the winning projects: www.acsa-arch.org/timber

The competition focused on a site in the Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood of Red Hook, with a population of public housing residents and working artists and designers, and a number of new residential and commercial developments. With a focus on regenerating the urban manufacturing sector and addressing housing needs, entrants, working individually or in teams, were tasked with incorporating affordable housing units; a bike sharing and repair shop; as well as a vocational, manufacturing and distribution center for the innovative use of wood technology.

“Today, timber is being used in new, innovative ways to help address the economic and environmental challenges of the build environment,” said Cees de Jager, executive director of BSLC. “This competition brought to life the way the design community is recognizing the benefits of wood – from reduced economic and environmental impact to enhanced aesthetic value and structural perfo...

Robert Alexander Wins 2013 Rotch Travelling Scholarship

2013-04-10T20:15:00-04:00

Robert K. Alexander of San Pedro, California, an adjunct faculty member of the architecture department at California State Polytechnic Institute University, Pomona’s College of Environmental Design, has been named the 2013 Rotch Travelling Scholarship recipient. Alexander will receive a $37,000 stipend to spend eight months traveling and studying architecture around the world.

Sky is far from limit in NASA architecture project

2013-02-26T14:42:00-05:00

A new partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration brings an out-of-this-world opportunity for Cal Poly Pomona architecture students. Over the past months, students have been constructing a massive 30 foot structure in the parking lot of the Interim Design Center. [...] The scenario given by NASA was to build a vertical habitat facility for four astronauts that can go into deep space for 60 days.

Sarah Lorenzen is the New Chair of Cal Poly Pomona Arch.

2013-01-10T20:06:00-05:00

Cal Poly Pomona Architecture Department gets a new energetic chairperson to take the school to a new and better direction.

Dean Michael Woo of College of Environmental Design breaks the news:

"I am happy to announce that Associate Professor Sarah Lorenzen is the new Chair of the Architecture Department. Many of you know Sarah from her teaching and her role as Director of the Neutra VDL Research House. Now she will have the opportunity to lead the Architecture Department into a new era."

In a personal note, I want to publicly congratulate my colleague Sarah Lorenzen for a job well earned. I have all the faith in her that she has the talent to lead and give the school a new breath of fresh air and dynamism.

Student Projects: Cal Poly Pomona (TVEF – Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Facility) Studio

2011-12-20T00:27:28-05:00

Last quarter a group of Cal Poly Pomona architecture and structural engineering students with professors Axel Schimitzberger and Dr. Mikhail Gershfeld conducted a multi disciplinary studio to design prototype tsunami evacuation facilities. The purpose of the studio was to design a temporary shelter during an earthquake/tsunami event and use the structure for other purposes in other times. Students had to design structures from precast concrete and steel. Needlessly to say the work was evolved to the advance levels of structural integrity and architectural innovation. As a final jury member I was impressed not only with the designs but also the simultaneous and symbiotic relationship of the two disciplines in a creative studio environment.

Here is a quote from the studio objectives.

“We anticipate some lively discussions between members of the two disciplines, revealing the different vocabularies of the two cultures. Architecture students will have to explain what they mean by ...

Next Archinect Sessions this Saturday, November 5

2011-11-01T14:54:17-04:00

We're excited to announce the next round of Archinect Sessions, to kick off on Saturday, November 5th, at the Neutra VDL House, in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, in collaboration with Cal Poly Pomona.

Archinect Sessions is a series of discussions with architects, academics and other interesting individuals from the tangents of architecture, in and around Southern California, moderated by Archinect's Orhan Ayyuce.

For our second event this year we're very honored to host Sci Arc's Marcelo Spina and Cal Poly Pomona's Axel Prichard-Schmitzberger, to talk about architecture's potential future in both the academic setting and in practice.

Tickets can be purchased @ http://archinectsessions2.eventbrite.com

Student Project Used by City to Define Its Future

2011-08-02T12:56:44-04:00

Councilwoman Diaz said she heard about the Cal Poly student's proposal accidentally during a chance encounter on a plane flight to the Bay Area.

I always tell graduating students to take their projects to real life and grass root campaign them. Well, so it happened to one Cal Poly, Pomona architecture student John Barlow, class of 2010 advised by professor Kip Dickson, when his project fell into the hands of interested Escondido City Council and the rest of the story is very inspiring for young graduates of design schools.

"City officials say a new proposal to have developers or venture capitalists build a cooperative wine-processing plant in Escondido could turn the city into a prominent wine-growing region."

See the pdfs of the project here.

Soriano's Shrage House gifted to Cal Poly, Pomona

2011-05-16T12:35:33-04:00

I was so pleased to receive a special news this morning from dean Michael Woo and would like to share an excerpt with the readers.

----------

Steve and Marion Dodge have pledged a $3 million bequest gift to Cal Poly Pomona, the College of Environmental Design which includes their home, the Schrage House designed by Raphael Soriano, one of the giants of mid-century modern architecture in Los Angeles.

Completed in the early 1950s, the Schrage House was described by David Gebhard and Robert Winter in their Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles as “a one-story International Style design in plywood, glass, and steel. Soriano at his best.” Located only a few lots south of the southern boundary of Griffith Park, the house is a stunning example of the best work of one of the leading architects of his time. Since becoming the owners of the house in 1987, the Dodges have painstakingly restored the house to its original condition. It is one of only two examples of Soriano’s wo...

Cal Poly Pomona Archives on California Modernism and International Style

2011-04-19T14:33:46-04:00

I recently got acquainted with Cal Poly Pomona's archives of Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Donald Wexler, Garrett Eckbo, Craig Ellwood and others. These archives contain never published before original drawings, photographs, blueprints, and stories. They were given to the College of Environmental Design and they are in care of Dr. Lauren Weiss Bricker. The archives are open to public with an appointment. I have arranged a permission to do an Archinect Feature on them including an interview with Dr. Bricker and others who have many stories about this precious collection. Coming soon...

Cal Poly Pomona ENV40 Celebration

2011-04-12T15:09:02-04:00

Event includes panel discussions featuring leaders of the environmental design professions including: Marvin J. Malecha, Ray Kappe, Richard Chylinski, Frank Clementi, Stefanos Polyzoides, Deborah Sussman, Michael Rotondi, Ken Smith, Rick Bishop, and Lorraine Wild.

SCHEDULE OF ENV 40 PANELS, Saturday April 16th 2011

10 – 11 am: The early years

Dean Emeritus Marvin J. Malecha, FAIA, 2009 President of the American Institute of Architects
Professor Emeritus Ray Kappe, FAIA, former Chair of the Architecture Department (who went on to found SCI-ARC)
Professor Emeritus Richard Chylinski, FAIA, former Chair of the Architecture Department (who helped establish the department in 1966)
Professor Emeritus Ken Nakaba, FASLA, former Chair of the Landscape Architecture Department
Professor Emeritus Bob Perry, Landscape Architecture Department
Professor Emeritus Charles Loggins, Urban and Regional Planning Department, former Associate Dean of ENV

11 – 11:45 am: Years of growth

Dean Emeritus Barry Wasserman, FAIA, former California State Architect
Professor Emeritus Rod Tapp, FASLA, Landscape Architecture Department
Calvin Abe, FASLA, AHBE Landscape Architects
Steven A. Preston, FAICP, City Manager, City of San Gabriel
Bob Kain, AIA, Healthcare Principal, HMC Architec...