recent programs
The Only Way Is Up: The Venice Biennale and Vertical Living
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The Venice Architecture Biennale used to showcase landmarks by star architects. This year the stars of the show were exploding mega-cities, like Los Angeles, São Paolo and Shanghai. Frances Anderton, just back from the Biennale, talks with Biennale Director Ricky Burdett about what designers and architects are doing to make life more liveable in the megalopolis. Rose Brantley, Founding Chair of the Fashion Program at Otis College of Art and Design, sizes up the fuss over model size and what it means for the fashion design world. Architectural designer Scott Johnson on how unstoppable population growth and a severe housing shortage have converted LA into a vertical city. Finally, Julius Shulman, whose career in architectural photography spans, 60 years, on his favorite building in Los Angeles.
Aired Tuesday, September 19, 2006. [MORE]

Do You Want to Ride Your Bicycle?
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If you think LA is a city of cars and freeways, think again. Rising energy prices, choking traffic and worries about the environment may turn tomorrow's southland into a world full of commuter cyclists and green roofs. Plus, an ecological designer on green-roof design, a SCI-Arc graduate on his favorite building in Los Angeles, and architect Cesar Pelli talks about his new Segerstrom Hall, opening next month in Orange County.
Aired Tuesday, August 22, 2006. [MORE]

Transmaterials and Surfer-Chick Chic
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Concrete, aluminum and wood may be yesterday's building blocks. Hear about transmaterials. Plus, surfer-chick chic and architecture around town.
Aired Tuesday, July 18, 2006. [MORE]

Is Prefab Modern Taking Off in LA?
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In a time of skyrocketing house prices, prefab Modern is being touted as a sustainable, stylish answer to an affordable home. Plus, the World Cup's new high-tech soccer ball, designers pick their favorite sunglasses, and Philippe Starck picks his favorite building in Los Angeles.
Aired Tuesday, June 20, 2006. [MORE]

What Would Jane Jacobs Have Thought of Grand Avenue?
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Jane Jacobs took on big city planners to defend the life of the city. What might Jacobs have thought of Grand Avenue? Plus, Jodie Foster's favorite building, and Dan Neil on why we care about Ferraris.
Aired Tuesday, May 16, 2006. [MORE]

Schools as Sculpture; Hopper's Walls; Martin Memorial
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Most post-World War II high schools were designed to be functional. Now, there are a few schools where attention has been paid to form, offering students a more inspiring learning experience. What's it like to go to school in such a source of inspiration? We ask architects, students and administrators. Plus, Dennis Hopper on his photography and wall paintings, and this month's favorite building, chosen in memory of the architect, Albert C. Martin, Jr, who died last month at age 92.
Aired Tuesday, April 18, 2006. [MORE]

Does Size Equal Happiness?
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McMansions are everywhere, but does size equal happiness? We hear from Sandy Gallin and other southland homeowners about the joys of living large -- or small! Plus a conversation with Max Palevsky and others about a LACMA exhibition for Italian designer Ettore Sottsass, who helped launch the post-modern Memphis design, and designing for health.
Aired Tuesday, March 21, 2006. [MORE]

An Epidemic of Demolition
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The tearing down of the Ambassador Hotel earlier this month was a painful and high-profile demolition, but hundreds of buildings are disappearing daily. Frances Anderton looks at the epidemic of destruction with architectural writer Jeff Byles, author Rubble: Unearthing the History of Demolition. We look at presidential fashion with Tim Gunn of Parsons School of Design, advisor to the Bravo TV series Project Runway. Plus, a visit to the LA Department of Transportation's "mission control" where John Fisher clues us in on a new system that's designed to help ease traffic, and a conversation with Larry Bennett, production designer on the movie Crash, about his favorite building in Los Angeles.
Aired Tuesday, February 21, 2006. [MORE]

Art Meets Architecture in a Nomadic Museum and a Permanent Villa
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This month, art meets architecture in two new museums--one temporary, the other permanent. At the Nomadic Museum, just north of Santa Monica Pier, architect Shigeru Ban created a monumental temple for art photography out of shipping containers and columns made of paper chips. At the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, Machado and Silvetti have transformed a faux Roman villa into a museum of antiquities and an art object in itself. We hear from both architects. Plus, figuring out how to use all those gadgets you received this past holiday. And LA City Council President Eric Garcetti kicks off a new feature, a personal look at favorite LA buildings.
Aired Tuesday, January 17, 2006. [MORE]

Design with Some Sparkle
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Can clothing have a sense of humor? Find out when fashion and product designer Paul Smith joins Frances Anderton. Plus "Top Tech innovations" from Popular Science's Suzanne Kantra and suggestions for some divine design gifts from Robert Barratt Hennessey & Ingalls.
Aired Tuesday, December 20, 2005. [MORE]

Billy Haines and Hollywood Glam
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Frances Anderton speaks with Jean Mathison, author of a new book on Los Angeles decroator Billy Haines, the king of Hollywood glam. Also, conversations with HGTV's Michael Payne on designing for the sexes, Art Center's Louise Sandhaus on California graphics, and installation artist Bill Close on instrumental buildings.
Aired Tuesday, November 15, 2005. [MORE]

What Can We Learn from Frank Lloyd Wright?
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Why does Frank Lloyd Wright matter? Find out from his grandson, Eric Lloyd Wright. Plus, a conversation about the business of design, seen through deal that transfered Yves Behar's Fuseproject into the hands of a Miami-based ad agency, and a new super-sized photography book on the cityscape fo Los Angeles.
Aired Tuesday, October 18, 2005. [MORE]

Will New Orleans Keep Its Architectural Character?
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When Hurricane Katrina blasted the Gulf Coast, it decimated a city beloved for its music, food, lifestyle and architecture. President Bush's reconstruction vision for the region calls for "communities to move decisively to change zoning laws and building codes in order to avoid a repeat of what we have seen." Architectural editor Robert Ivy laments what been lost and looks at what it will take for the city will keep its character. Architect Rob Rogers discusses designing for safety, including for terrorism and hurricanes.. Finally, a conversation with architectural critic Michael Webb about Adventurous Wine Architecture.
Aired Tuesday, September 20, 2005. [MORE]

Is Prefab the Answer?
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Housing prices have skyrocketed, and it's even more costly if you want to build a home that's modern and technically innovative. Several young architects have decided that factory-built homes are the answer. Architect Michelle Kaufmann has designed two prefabs with clean lines, airiness and open planning of Modernist houses, coupled with the energy-efficiency and sustainable design of today. Then, Amy Noble of KB Home offers a reality check about home construction in America. Plus, Editor-in-Chief Julie Lasky on ID Magazine's 51st annual design review, a juried selection of the best in consumer products, graphics, packaging and more from around the world.
Aired Tuesday, August 16, 2005. [MORE]

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