Jon Jerde, founder and chairman of the Venice, California-based Jerde Partnership, passed away today in his home in the Brentwood area in Los Angeles after a longterm illness. He was 75.

Born in Alton, Illinois on January 22, 1940, Jerde grew up in the oilfields of the West where his father worked as an engineer at Fluor. After his parents divorced in 1952, he and his mother moved to a garage apartment in Long Beach, California, a city he soon developed a connection with. While Jerde studied engineering at UCLA, a chance meeting in 1958 with Arthur Gallion -- dean of the USC School of Architecture -- led to Jerde studying architecture at USC after Gallion recognized his talent through his sketches.

Jerde led a multi-disciplinary team that created more than 100 urban places worldwide since The Jerde Partnership's inception in 1977. He developed the concept of "placemaking", which can be defined as designing memorable vibrant places, using entertainment and shopping as catalysts. This concept and his community-driven approach greatly contributed to the way today's public and commercial spaces are designed.

After temporarily quitting the architectural profession in 1975, one could consider Jerde's career began to reach its full potential with his groundbreaking "outdoor village" -like design for the Horton Plaza in San Diego. While the Horton Plaza was under construction, Jerde was appointed to design the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Collaborating with the late graphic designer Deborah Sussman, Jerde envisioned a kit of parts of architectural elements that donned Sussman's signature bright-colored palettes. Jerde also collaborated with sculptor Robert Graham, writer Ray Bradbury, and TED founder Richard Wurman, to name a few.

Above: Universal Studios City Walk; Below: Roppongi Hills

Other major projects of Jerde include the Universal Studios City Walk, Las Vegas icons like Treasure Island hotel and resort, Fremont Street Experience, and The Bellagio Hotel, and many redevelopment projects in Japan such as the Roppongi Hills, Canal City Hakata, and Namba Parks. His last project was reshaping Santa Monica Place, in collaboration with fellow partner David Rogers.

Above: Canal City Hakata; Middle: Santa Monica Place; Below: Namba Parks

Aside the numerous entertainment and commercial plazas he designed that continue to thrive, Jerde was also involved with the USC School of Architecture throughout his career and frequently taught courses in Los Angeles and at the school’s campus in Saintes, France. He was the first USC School of Architecture Distinguished Alumnus in 1985 and was named as an AIA Fellow in 1990.

Jerde is survived by his wife Architect Janice Ambry Jerde, his children from his first and third marriages -- Jennifer Jerde-Castor, Christopher Jerde, Maggie Jerde-Joyce, and Kate Jerde-Cole -- and his grandchildren.

A memorial service in the near future is currently being planned