October 19 > Hyperion Avenue Open Studio Tour and Making LA Fundraiser > Silver Lake

Did you know a one-mile swath of Hyperion Avenue in Silver Lake is home to some of the greatest architectural talent east of La Brea? Join de LaB on Saturday, October 19th for a self-directed tour of five fascinating architecture studios, all within walking distance of one another.

Michael Maltzan Architecture: Founded in 1995, Michael Maltzan Architecture has designed some of Skid Row's most transformative projects, including two projects which have hosted de LaB events: New Carver Apartments and Inner City Arts. See the plans for the upcoming Sixth Street Viaduct and currently under-construction One Sante Fe.

Warren Techentin Architecture (WTARCH):  Headed by architect Warren Techentin, WTARCH is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary office that includes designs for single-family residences like this Los Feliz Residence or this house in the Pacific Palisades, plus multi-family housing, educational and institutional spaces.

MASS Architecture & Design: If you're a fan of Silverlake Wine, Intelligentsia Venice or Pasadena, or Pitfire Pizza, then you're already familiar with the work of MASS Architecture and its principal, Ana Henton (or maybe you joined us for her tour of a renovated USC fraternity house). We apologize that this studio is not ADA-accessible. Please be careful, the stairs are steep.

Lehrer Architects: Founded in 1985 by native Angeleno Michael Lehrer, the national firm has worked on a number of community-based projects, including the recently opened Spring Street Park in downtown LA which is nominated for the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt People's Design Award, the Annenberg Innovation Lab at USC, Reseda Pool, and the Restore Neighborhood LA Affordable Housing Prototypes.

MAKE Architecture: A collaborative architecture and design firm founded by Jess Mullen-Carey and Bill Beautur in 2000, the studio's focus is broad and encompasses architecture, furniture, product and graphic design. Perhaps you joined us two years ago for a visit to Beer Belly in Koreatown designed by MAKE?

Hyperion Avenue Open Studio Tour
Saturday October 19
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The tour is self-directed; tickets and a map will be issued via email on Friday, October 18

Afterwards, join the group for buy-your-own happy hour from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Hyperion Public
2538 Hyperion Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased in advance

Purchase tickets here.

Please read our ticket policy for this event
- Tickets for the tour cost $20 person, and must be purchased in advance.
- Space is limited and we will not accept payment for tickets on the day of the tour.
- The tour is self-directed and tickets and a map will be issued via email which you will need to print or show on your phone at each location.
- Tickets and a map will be issued via email on Friday, October 19
- All ticket sales are final and no refunds will be given. All proceeds will go to support future de LaB programming, including our Making LA series.
- Children under 12 are not allowed, no exceptions, please.
- Some of the studios have steep stairs and are not wheelchair accessible, we apologize for this.

We need docents! Volunteers will be assigned a 1.5 hour shift and will receive one free ticket to the tour. Please be willing to commit to a 1.5 hour shift on Saturday, October 19th. Docents must arrive 10 min prior to the start of their shift. Early shift times are approximately 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. and late shifts will be approximately 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Studio docents are present at the door, checking tickets and ensuring visitors are respectful and follow the rules outlined in the Open Studio Tour ticket.




Here's a general map showing the location of the studios, but we'll be providing you with a detailed map and addresses for all the studios.


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October 1 > Magic Castle Tour > Hollywood

As an icon of Hollywood, the Magic Castle needs no introduction. Since 1963 the Victorian mansion has served as a private club and academy for magicians counting over 5,000 members worldwide. The historic-cultural monument was designed in 1909 by Lyman Farwell and Oliver Dennis and remains one of the most beloved—and mysterious—buildings in the city. On this private tour, we'll learn about the historic structure as well as the renovations that occurred after a devastating fire on Halloween Night 2011. Who knows, we may even meet Irma, the castle's resident ghost.

Tuesday, October 1
Meet at 5:30 p.m.
Afterwards you can enjoy food, drinks and magic at the club

The Magic Castle
7001 Franklin Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90028

Tickets are $10 per person and will go on sale Tuesday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. PST

Buy tickets at this link after 9/17 at 10:00 a.m.

Space is extremely limited for this tour and we expect tickets to disappear quickly!
- Limit two tickets per person
- Everyone must be 21 and older
- You can cancel for a full refund up until 48 hours before the event
- The waitlist will be limited to 30 people (please don't email to ask if you can get added, when it's full, it's full, we promise)

A portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit The Academy of Magical Arts.

September 28 > Making LA > Lake and Lotuses: An Echo Park Lake Restoration Tour

Image courtesy of Sterling Davis

For our inaugural NEA Art Works-funded Making LA event we're visiting a piece of LA history at Echo Park Lake. Originally built in 1860 as a reservoir for drinking water, the lake and surrounding park recently underwent a two-year, $45 million rehabilitation. The trash, urban detritus and bacteria that killed the fish and flowers are gone. In its place are nearly 400 new lotus plants, spruced up walking paths, newly planted native greenery, and a restored fountain, boathouse and The Lady of the Lake. Plus, the pedal boats are back, as well as the recently opened Square One cafe!

Image courtesy of LA I'm Yours

Join us on September 28th for a tour of this beautifully restored piece of parkland paradise that once again serves as Echo Park's backyard. We'll be hearing from the architects, engineers and politicians who helped make it happen, followed by a BYOP (bring your own picnic!) by the lake.

Echo Park Lake Tour
Saturday, September 28
Meet at 11:30 in front of the boathouse

751 Echo Park Ave
Los Angeles CA 90026


RSVP here

Street parking only. Metro lines 92, 4, 2, 704 are all nearby, plan your trip at Metro.net

Please wear comfortable shoes as we will be walking on uneven terrain, and bring sunscreen, a blanket, a frisbee, a picnic and anything else to enjoy a day by the lake.

Our plan for the day:

• 11:30 a.m. Meet in front of the boathouse
• 12:00 p.m. Tour begins with opening remarks by newly elected councilmember Mitch O'Farrell from Council District 13.
• 12:15-ish We will then tour the park with Black & Veatch engineer Jim Rasmus and AECOM landscape architect Josh Segal, two of the key leads who oversaw this complex rehabilitation.
• 1:00 p.m. We encourage you to bring a picnic or purchase lunch at Square One and stay to enjoy the park. Pedal boats will also be available for rent on a first come, first serve basis. 

Image courtesy of LA I'm Yours

A little more about the day's speakers:

Mitch O'Farrell
Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell was elected to represent Los Angeles’ 13 Council District in May of 2013. Prior to that, he served as a Field Deputy, District  Director, and as Senior Advisor to Council President Eric Garcetti from 2002-2012. Mitch’s accomplishments while on the staff of Councilmember Eric Garcetti  include restoration of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Echo Park Lake renovation and boathouse restoration, the Glassell Park Community and Senior Center, and improvements at the Los Angeles River, including new parks and miles of walking and biking paths. He worked on community gardens, farmers markets, increasing public safety, helping small businesses, and general quality of life improvements across the district.

Jim Rasmus
Mr. Rasmus is Practice Leader for Water Resources in the West for Black & Veatch.  He specializes in the planning and design of regional-scale urban stormwater systems that enhance water quality. While many of these projects are initially driven by stormwater regulations, Jim and his team have found creative solutions that integrate these projects into the local water supply portfolio.   Mr. Rasmus’ innovative ideas and leadership have led his clients to numerous awards for innovations in urban water quality including: APWA’s Best Environmental Project Award; Natural Resources Defense Council’s Beach Buddies Award; APWA’s Technical Innovation Award; Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California’s Honor Award for Engineering Excellence; APWA’s  Project of the Year Award for Environmental Projects; and the Construction Management Association of America’s Public Infrastructure Project of the Year.

Josh Segal
Josh Segal is a landscape architect with AECOM’s Los Angeles office. His background includes project work for public agencies as well as private-sector clients, including the design of public realm urban spaces, transit-oriented design, ecological design, and recreation projects. As a project manager and accomplished designer, Josh provides leadership on projects in all phases from visioning and concept through master planning, schematic design, construction documentation, and implementation. Josh holds a BA in Communication from University of California, San Diego, and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Josh is a Registered Landscape Architect with the State of California and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).


This program was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

 
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September 12 > de LaB and Hand-Eye Supply present Designer Open Mic > Hollywood

We're joining forces with the awesome Portland-based Hand-Eye Supply during their month-long L.A. pop-up for an evening of open-mic style creative proliferation. Sign up on arrival for 3 minutes of designer fame and your opportunity to share what you're working on with your design community. Or watch the presentations and enjoy a beautiful late-summer evening in the awesome DIY-focused space with a beer in hand.

Have some new material you'd like to test out? Perhaps you've hit the wall on the latest project in the studio or workshop and need some feedback. Maybe you've just made a groundbreaking new discovery, or unearthed new technology you'd like to share? Or, maybe you're just damn proud of the quality and commitment you put into your latest round of work. Whatever lights your fire, we wanna hear about it! Pitch us your ideas then sit back and soak in your peers' sweet creativity.

Hardcopy sketches, prototypes and thoughtful feedback are encouraged. This is Show and Tell with a critical eye!

Designer Open Mic
Thursday, September 12
7:00 to 9:00 p.m. 

RSVP here

Space 15 Twenty
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Refreshments provided (beer and snacks) or you can dine at Umami Burger and still watch the show.

Designer Open Mic is hosted by design east of La Brea, and Hand-Eye Supply's Pop-up Institute for Craft and Ingenuity, a month long pop-up shop and educational happening in collaboration with Space 15 Twenty in Los Angeles, California. Check out all their events happening August 12-September 15 here.

Hand-Eye Supply is a retail store in Portland, Oregon which serves the design and making communities on a local, national and world-wide level. It is the official store of one of the Internet's oldest websites, Core77, which has been covering design and providing resources to creative professionals for the past 18 years. Space 15 Twenty is a unique retail setting which collaborates with creative brands and includes a performance space, pop-up, gallery, book shop and restaurant.

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August 22 > Never Built Los Angeles Behind-the-Scenes Tour > Miracle Mile

Pereira and Luckman, Original LAX Scheme, Courtesy LAX Flight Path Learning Center

What if LA had five times as much green space? A subway system that spanned more than 100 miles? An airport that looked like this one?

If you've ever wondered these questions and more, then the A+D Museum's highly anticipated summer exhibition, Never Built Los Angeles exhibition, is one you don't want to miss. Curated by Sam Lubell and Greg Goldin, with exhibit design by Clive Wilkinson Architects, Never Built: Los Angeles is the first extensive exhibition to showcase the unbuilt forms that could have radically reshaped the Southern California we know, love, and, let's be honest, sometimes hate. Unlike any other exhibition before it, Never Built Los Angeles asks why does LA attract some of the world's most creative architects only to see so many grand architectural schemes flounder?

On August 22nd, we're hosting an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the exhibition with the curators. Sam and Greg will share the real stories behind the failed 100 projects by more than 25 architects and practices that will be on display. Afterwards, we'll head to Stark Bar, where we can either drown our sorrows over good ideas lost, or rejoice at bad ideas curtailed forever.

Proposed Goodell Monorail Courtesy Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Research Library and Archive

Never Built: Los Angeles Tour
Thursday, August 22
Tour begins at 7:00 pm

BUY TICKETS HERE
$10 museum admission fee

A+D Museum
6032 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Followed by food and drinks at Stark Bar
5905 Wilshire Boulevard (right across the street)
Los Angeles, CA 90036

 
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July 27 > Going Greek Fraternity House Tour > Exposition Park

( Photo courtesy Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times )

When you think "frat house" you're probably more likely to think of beer and bongs than great design. Yet Mass Architecture and Design has managed to transform USC's Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity house into a modern masterpiece. Think less "Animal House" (goodbye stripper poles!) and more Alvar Aalto.

( Photo courtesy Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times )

This Dwell-worthy housing, featured in the LA Times, reflects a new sensibility for the next generation of design aficionados. After undergoing a $903,000 renovation last year, the house features contemporary design flourishes like cedar ceiling paneling, redwood slats and a cool gray color palette interjected with shots of color. Yet the house stays true to its mid-century bones, maximizing light and open space. It's a house that visibly stands out on "The Row." More photos here.

Join us as we take a tour of the house with Frank Acevedo, alum and president of the Central Area Planning Commission and MASS Architecture and Design principal, architect Ana Henton.

Afterwards we'll head over to modern gastropub The Lab for craft beers and bites in a former Sizzler.

The event is free, cash bar at The Lab, but space is limited so be sure to reserve your space early.

Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity House Tour
Saturday July 27th
11:00 a.m.
938 W. 28th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Corner of Hoover

RSVP here

Followed by food and drinks at The Lab
3500 Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007



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July 16 > Invention Bar at the Los Angeles Athletic Club > DTLA

Down on 7th and Olive in the Historic Core, the Los Angeles Athletic Club has been entertaining its exclusive membership since 1880. With a brand new makeover by interior designer Tracy Beckmann (Mas Malo, Hotel Lautner), the third-floor restaurant and bar maintain the space's Art Deco charm with mid-century flourishes. With a new cocktail program by master mixologists Liquid Assets’ Marcos Tello & Aidan Demarest, Invention is set to become one of downtown's hottest spots for a tipple. 

While the LA Athletic Club is still members-only, the Club now offers a social membership for those who want to make Invention (and the adjacent restaurant Famous Players) their preferred drinking destination.

Tracy Beckmann honed her skills as a designer during her four-year collaboration with Kelly Wearstler of KWID and the renowned KOR Group.  In addition to an impressive collection of LA-based design projects, Beckmann has also recently garnered global media attention for the impressive restoration of the famed Hotel Lautner that she and business partner Ryan Trowbridge own in Desert Hot Springs (that we toured earlier this year at Modernism Week).

Join us for a tour of the bar with Tracy Beckmann, and stay for the special -- $7 Manhattans for de LaB.

The event is free but space is limited, so be sure to reserve a spot early. 

Invention bar tour at the LAAC with Tracy Beckmann

Tuesday July 16th
Tour begins at 7:30pm
Los Angeles Athletic Club

431 West Seventh Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014

SOLD OUT (and waitlist is full, too)

Parking is available in the structure on Olive just past 7th Street for $4.50.