The Studio

UrbanRock Design is an artist | architect team comprised of Jeanine Centuori, FAIA, and Russell Rock.  As an award-winning studio and certified Woman-Owned | Small Business, both Russell and Jeanine are accomplished artists and designers with many completed projects around the United States.  The work has been recognized with nationally competitive commissions, awards, and publications.  Jeanine is a registered architect and visual artist; Russell is an artist with research-based urban design experience.  The interdisciplinary collaboration has spanned twenty years now.  The practice is located at the Brewery Arts Complex near downtown Los Angeles.

Public Art

UrbanRock Design engages a wide range of media and site conditions for public artworks spanning both two- and three-dimensional form.  The studio adheres to a belief that media works in service of thematic site-specificity.  Media includes: imagery embedded in glass, metal scrims, three-dimensional metal form, concrete elements, and sculptural wood forms.  New techniques of form and image making are explored with each project to advance the common goals of the design team.

The studio values the range of sites where public art may be integrated within architecture and urban places.  The body of work has embraced integrating art within the architectural envelop, as well as sculptural and function-based artwork that is situated into parks, campuses, and public institutions.

The studio explores stories about specific places, and always searches for what is special and unique about the site.

Artworks are rooted in principles of connection, and uplifting aspirations.  There is a keen interested in interactive artwork with layered meanings.  This is accomplished with unique perspectives, perceptual shifts, and tactile experiences.  Public art is most powerful when it engages the here-and-now, and offers more than imagery.  The agency and power of public art energizes places that are intertwined with sound site planning and urban design.  Complexities and richness of the public realm lead to projects that convey place-based stories and experiences sustaining interest over repeat visits.

Public Art Plans

UrbanRock Design has completed many public art plans to guide municipalities with the implementation of public art.  These plans have involved community participatory workshops, meetings, and presentations.  They have the potential to add dimension and resonance to artworks, and to inspire the community to be invested in deeper ways.  These planning and outreach efforts are fueled by experience in a range of educational settings.  Both Russell and Jeanine have taught in university programs, and Jeanine holds a professor position in architecture at Woodbury University.  Russell also has experience in K-12 arts education.

Architecture

The broad range of public art and design team experience informs the approach to architectural design.  Architecture projects are imbued with a collaborative spirit, sensitivity to place, and a desire for everyday beauty.  With each of project, the team strives to deeply understand the needs of clients, and to translate those needs into physical form.  The designers are budget and resource-conscious who always seek to gain the biggest impact with the least investment.  In addition to architectural design, the studio brings a wealth of knowledge regarding permitting and regulatory processes of permitting hillside houses in Los Angeles.