This week's picks for LA architecture and design events

Architecture&Beyond Lecture Series: Chris Lukather - “A Birdhouse in Paradise: William Mellenthin and the San Fernando Valley Ranch Homes” | May 17

Author Chris Lukather will speak on popular San Fernando Valley builder William Mellenthin at the Los Feliz Library's Architecture&Beyond Lecture Series. Lukather's book, entitled “A Birdhouse in Paradise: William Mellenthin and the San Fernando Valley Ranch Homes,” follows the suburb developer who built some 3,000 homes during his 30-year career.

Railways, Waterways, and Walkways | May 19

A 6.5-mile walking exploration of some of Los Angeles’ best rail, storm, and pedestrian infrastructure — sometimes neglected, sometimes revitalized, always in flux. Several guest speakers will help us understand the past, present, and future of these places.The walk will begin at the Glendale Transportation Center and end at the LA State Historic Park.

Cog•nate Collective: Regionalia | Open now until June 17

What does it mean to be a citizen? How can we enact citizenship in a region that is marked by transnational flows of bodies and cultures? How is political solidarity + social resilience established and/or expressed within transnational communities? What role can culture play in this process? In the context of the Alta/Baja California border region, the objects in the exhibition showcase work created over the span of nearly 4 years that the artists have served as artists-in-residence at Grand Central Art Center, establishing numerous collaborations with residents, students and community groups in the region.

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*Update: We removed the previously featured Marion Weiss “This, Not That” lecture at UCLA after we were notified that the event was cancelled. We apologize for the error.