Archinect
anchor

Hot LA Firms

chaptertwo

Who are some vanguard firms in LA? Any size..

 
Sep 25, 06 12:23 pm
treekiller

if you have to ask, then don't leave ohio.

Sep 25, 06 12:29 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

you clearly know a lot about me. see you when your working for me.

Sep 25, 06 1:21 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

minneapolis and pennsylvania = a cant beat combo.. hey does anybody know any hot firms there?

Sep 25, 06 1:27 pm  · 
 · 
treekiller

that's a bit presumptuous, considering you don't have a job or know enough about los angeles to figure where you want to work without asking a sweeping and unfocused question.

'vangard'- why does this matter when you alread know enough to rule the world?

Sep 25, 06 1:30 pm  · 
 · 

gatorboard, for someone making their first post, you sure have quite an attitude...

perhaps you should try searching for old threads... i'm sure that this has been covered several times before...

and, treekiller has a point... LA is a hot bed for cool "vanguard" firms... you don't know of a few???

also, it's a pretty broad question... are you looking for a job? are you doing research for something?

if you want help, loose the attitude and provide a few more clues as to what you're looking for...

Sep 25, 06 2:04 pm  · 
 · 
mdler

my office gets pretty warm around 3 in the afternoon. It is because we are in a 50's modern building w/ lots of single pane glass

Sep 25, 06 2:23 pm  · 
 · 
larslarson

and gb...
there are actually quite a few good firms in PA and minneapolis...

vincent james and lindy roy in minneapolis to name two...

quite a few firms in philly and bohlin cwinsky jackson in pittsburgh...
that's just off the top of my head..i'm sure there are more

as far as LA:
morphosis
gehry
studio gang
jones partners
denari
central office of architecture
lorcan o'helihy
meier
steven ehrlich
marmol and radziner
eric owen moss
pugh and scarpa

and that's also off the top of my head..you should probably
look at a couple schools websites cause they may have listings
for other lesser known firms and typically the professors are doing
some of the more interesting work and have the smaller starting
up firms.

Sep 25, 06 2:28 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

to all: i came to this discussion board with no attitude whatsoever. I came to this site because there are discussions by practicing architects from all over. I am a 23 year old student who is researching firms in a city 2000 miles away for an internship 6 months in advance so that I can find the right firm doing strong progressive work. I have worked in most regions of the country so far on internships, but not the west coast. Should i really be looked down upon for no knowing every firm there.

Clearly i know a number of firms in LA that are doing nice work, but did i really have to mention them first to prove to everyone that im not braindead?

And to repond to architphil, Im not trying to look like an ass, i just reacted agressively since the first response was a blind insult that failed to even kind of answer my post from a clearly pretentious fellow midwesterner. And your right, this is my first post, id like to think its not my last, but so far this research method has not proven to be very helpful.

Sep 25, 06 2:31 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

larslarson

thanks for the actual response.

Id like to try to stay away from the signature firms like ghery and morphosis that , dont seem to give interns the time of day. Im thinking small and fresh.

I appreciate the list however.

Also just a note, Studio Gang is in Chicago. And i do of course know that there are great firms in the midwest. I just dont think that treekiller works at one...

thanks

Sep 25, 06 2:35 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

larslarson

thanks for the actual response.

Id like to try to stay away from the signature firms like ghery and morphosis that , dont seem to give interns the time of day. Im thinking small and fresh.

I appreciate the list however.

Also just a note, Studio Gang is in Chicago. And i do of course know that there are great firms in the midwest. I just dont think that treekiller works at one...

thanks

Sep 25, 06 2:36 pm  · 
 · 
treekiller

you DO need to prove that you're not brain dead. thank you for finally providing enough information so we can help you.

As a co-op student, beware the starchitects who seek to corrupt you and exploit you. UC has a great network of contacts that should be your first step - who do they recommend?

The work that you do as co-op student has less impact on your future career then you think it does. Instead of looking for associations with sexy designs - look for mentoring and professional development - that will get you much, much further.

mdler is right, most offices in LA get hot in the afternoon unless they have the ac blasting.

Sep 25, 06 2:40 pm  · 
 · 
treekiller

so GB, where do you think I work?

Sep 25, 06 2:41 pm  · 
 · 
larslarson

gb

was unsure about studio gang...
didn't they used to teach other there? my memory is sketchy at times

Sep 25, 06 2:42 pm  · 
 · 
myriam

gatorboard, loosen up. treekiller's comment is funny. good luck w/ your search--and thanks for giving more background to your query--makes it easier to help you out! the easier you make it, the better responses you'll get. welcome to the internet.

now tell us more what you're interested in. what is vanguard to you--are you looking for nurbz? recycled solar panels? "exposed brick"? updating dilapidated FLW bungalos with a deft modern touch?

Sep 25, 06 2:44 pm  · 
 · 
liberty bell

gator, if you had started the thread by explaining your situation with your first paragraph above - re: being a student, 2,000 miles away, etc - that would have been helpful. Typically the threads that just ask a one-line question tend to get a one-line smart-ass response (of which genre I'd say treekiller hit a homerun with the above), in part because people are bored at work and lots of people come here for humor. Please just take it as such and don't retreat just yet.

I have no knowledge of LA firms but I'll give this unsolicited advice: lining up work with a small, cutting edge firm might be a hard thing to do six months in advance. As you say you've done internships all over so perhaps there is a commitment structure that allows you to line things up early, I wouldn't know. But small firms tend to not know from month to month how busy they will be so they can't commit to hiring someone six months out. If you are looking for a school-arranged internship, as I said, maybe there is a structure that allows a small firm to hire you well in advance, but if "internship" in your post means "full-time post-graduate employment" than you will probably have better luck being in the right place at the right time rather than trying to make a formal arrangement so far in advance. As a small firm myself I know that we can't predict how busy we'll be more than 60 days out. Good luck with your job search.

Sep 25, 06 2:49 pm  · 
 · 
James Meyer

Gatorboard also look into Lorcan O'Herlihy and Central Office Architects for two smaller/fresh firms also OMD (office of mobile design / jennifer seigel) is a quality place to look into/work at

Sep 25, 06 2:56 pm  · 
 · 
treekiller

Gator- as a UC co-op student, most of the firms that welcome this sort of arrangement tend to be larger and more corporate. Best luck getting into the smaller offices.

Sep 25, 06 3:02 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

I had that exact problem looking for work in Chicago this summer. I realize that small firms are hit and miss when it comes to openings, but I want some firm names so that if i find one that I decide i must experience, I want to get at them early and often so by the time they do need help, they already have an email or two from me in their inbox.

What is vanguard to me?

Im still figuring that out I guess. But I wouldnt mind finding a place that is experimenting with new fabrication methods, preferably doing the experimenting themselves. looks like marmol and radziner are pretty hands on.. i like that. It seems like I could get the most out of a firm doing smaller, more detailed, built projects as opposed to large-scaled computer renderings and fiberglass models for competitions.


treekiller,

my best guess would be that you doing some follow-up work for the charming Jean Nouvel judging by your attitude.

Sep 25, 06 3:06 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

also. I havent been given the list of firms that UC already deals with, but unfortunately those firms are anxious to get students because no one else wants to do the work they give them.

Sep 25, 06 3:08 pm  · 
 · 
myriam

out of curiousity, did you find something small and fun in chicago?

Sep 25, 06 3:09 pm  · 
 · 
mdler

Fuckin pretentious UC co-ops!!!!

Sep 25, 06 3:17 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

well there were two firms doing at least eclectic work that I was back and forth with for a while, but both were so small and slow with work, neither could swing almost doubling their staff by hiring me. Again- hit or miss. Howard Allen, was one of them, focusing on Eco-design, and Vertu, Inc. who does their own fabrication in-house also has nice work. You might also look at Studio Gang, who was mentioned earlier, and Jordan Moser. Those two werent exactly my style, but none the less, interesting work for sure.

I ended up working at a relatively small firm, Vinci/Hamp, who do much more conservative work, but still design and but a great amount of effort into their projects. It wasnt ground-breaking, but still a decent summer experience.

Sep 25, 06 3:18 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

pretentious? how?

Sep 25, 06 3:19 pm  · 
 · 
mdler

i'm being an ass...

I went to UC

Sep 25, 06 3:20 pm  · 
 · 
mdler

...but


refer to your 2nd post

Sep 25, 06 3:21 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

yeah that was clearly pretentious, but it was just as assine for tk to have told me to stay in ohio when for all he or she knows Im Richard Meirer, seeing how many people say hes done.

It was basically just a way to say "you dont know me, so shut the hell up"

i know very well that i dont have shit to say to anyone, but hey, its the internet, what could go wrong?

Sep 25, 06 3:26 pm  · 
 · 
mdler

I was going to hire a UC co-op for my hot office in LA...but maybe not anymore

Sep 25, 06 3:27 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

good one... but i probably wouldnt have applied to any office run by a UC grad.. people from UC are pretentious... i learned that on Archinect.

Sep 25, 06 3:31 pm  · 
 · 
treekiller

my LA office wanted to hire a UC co-op, but our NY office nixed the idea - damn corporate politics...

hehe GB, I like your sense of humour. Well done for a first post to get 26+ posts. the moral of the story is the more info you post, the better (and less snarky) we can be to help you.

Sep 25, 06 3:31 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

well thanks. But i must confess. I am Richard Meier after all. And unfortunately, these days, I where a sweater to the office. The LA sun, just doesnt heat this place up like it used to.

Go Getty!

Sep 25, 06 3:39 pm  · 
 · 
Chili Davis

Mr. Meier, I'm gonna be honest with you... you are chubby and in need of a haircut.

Sep 25, 06 3:48 pm  · 
 · 
mdler

and your work sucks

Sep 25, 06 3:53 pm  · 
 · 
abracadabra

ATTENTION:
Due to last minute cancellation of some hot museum work,
abracadabra, faia
is not hiring. If you wanna work for this sizzling international LA firm in the future, please send 50.00 $ keep your resume on file (handling) fee within a week or so.
The fee is tax deductable too!!!

Sep 25, 06 4:06 pm  · 
 · 
vado retro

top of the pile fee. a good idea actually..

.the question i have though is the real accessiblity to the "hot" firms. most are both incredibly small and rely on student employee grunts to crank out most of their work. with perhaps one or two staffers who actually know how to put a building together. etc...i 'd be curious to know those in the mix here that have actually gotten hired fulltime with benefits, right out of school for a "hot" firm with whom they had no prior contact. ie had person as a prof or are independently wealthy and don't need a paycheck. email your responses to abracadabara( i wanna reach out and grab ya) faia.

Sep 25, 06 4:12 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

please leave out sexual favor stories too. you know who you are.

Sep 25, 06 4:17 pm  · 
 · 
myriam

vado i was JUST listening to that song! maybe i should join the cd swap.

Sep 25, 06 4:19 pm  · 
 · 
larslarson

vado.

i know that the good firms i worked for always had room for at least
one intern in the summer...cheap labor is always appreciated.
the major problem is that most small, young, good firms are going
to have their pick..and are usually also professors so they already
haev a crop from whom to choose and are more willing to choose from
people they know.

of course if your work is kick ass it doesn't seem to matter..it'll at
least get you in the door.

Sep 25, 06 4:36 pm  · 
 · 

If you're interested in residential: Koenig Eizenberg (I'm not 100% that I spelled that right, though), or Tighe Architects. KAA Design Group is not necessarily 'vanguard' as in overtly experimental, but they do solid work, put a lot of effort into giving their employees a good experience, and are big enough that they might go for that sort of a setup.

If you have the self-confidence of a god and can put up with a lot of shite, Pleskow+Rael do beautiful work.

Sep 25, 06 4:43 pm  · 
 · 
vado retro

myriam did u watch the youtube smackdown on thread central??? you should!!! send me your address and i'll send you the latest cd i made.

Sep 25, 06 4:51 pm  · 
 · 
treekiller

gator, I knew richard meier. richard was a freind of mine. gator, you're no meier.

Sep 25, 06 4:51 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

Well i know a guy who beat a guy who beat Jean Nouvel in fooseball. and i still know him. so i guess im better off than being someone richard meier would probably forget.

Sep 25, 06 4:57 pm  · 
 · 
beatbox

GB, I would strike Marmol Rad from your list unless you want to get stuck doing mindless repetitive redlines and study models over and over......

However, they do know how to throw a Christmas party....

Sep 25, 06 5:40 pm  · 
 · 
AP

Richard Meier is already an archinecter. too late.

Sep 25, 06 5:51 pm  · 
 · 
mdler

I took a leak next to Gehry...no, I'm not Brad

Sep 25, 06 6:21 pm  · 
 · 
mdler

vanguard manages my portfolio

Sep 25, 06 6:22 pm  · 
 · 
b3tadine[sutures]

fun and funny two things billy crystal probably would not like - and if you have to ask, don't.

reminds me of a thread back on the ole' site 4 years ago when someone - presumably a student - asked a question about what kind of door to design for a closet, the immediate responses started a firestorm.

this site is difficult and i am glad, to a certain degree, that it was not around when i was in school. although it was around in 2001 when i finished my final studio, i chose not to post about what i was working on in studio. part of the beauty of studio is the struggle to find your own voice, create strategies for researching and formulating your own voice, i think coming here and asking questions without at least indicating that on some level to those here that you have done some homework on your topic at hand is perhaps poor form. when the response is what the treekilla laid down, it's in effect an appropriate response reflective of what appeared to be a lack of your unwillingness to do the basic work and have the work done for you.

just my thought.

treekilla = funny ivy

Sep 25, 06 7:25 pm  · 
 · 
treekiller

te he hee!

thanks beta

Sep 25, 06 7:43 pm  · 
 · 
liberty bell

Rock on, betadinesutures, sir. Good luck in the new city.

Sep 25, 06 8:12 pm  · 
 · 
AP

"super elegante"

Sep 25, 06 8:16 pm  · 
 · 
chaptertwo

i guess i misinterpretted this site as a casual place for discussion. I know see that it is a very close-knit society of regular commenters who pick on people for tip-toeing into their click and thinking they can post a simple question or independant thought without first excusing themselves for trespassing on everyones computer screens.

Thanks to everyone who gave me some firm names. I appreciate it and got some good ideas.

And to everyone who is in on all of the archinect inside jokes and is only here to knock people down a peg, thanks for the entertaining back and forth banter, but maybe you should consider going out for lunch some day instead of eating leftover pizza at your desk and trying to rag on unsuspecting students for asking for a little advice.

And for now on if u are personally offended by a post, u CAN just not respond...just puttin that out there.

Sep 25, 06 8:17 pm  · 
 · 

Block this user


Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?

Archinect


This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.

  • ×Search in: