The Architectural Foundation of Los Angeles is the foundation of the AIA Los Angeles Chapter and was incorporated as a 501(c)3 corporation in April, 1985. A group of eclectic art and architecture professionals joined AFLA and participated in some wonderful events produced during the 80s. Tours and lectures of the latest homes, buildings and spaces, featuring commentary by the architect of record, were produced around Los Angeles to the enjoyment and enlightenment of many. Some of examples of this special programming include:

Art in Public Spaces presentation of nationwide juried arts program
Emmet Wemple, Site Landcape tour GETTY VILLA
WRIGHT NIGHT lecture with Eric Lloyd Wright
Musicale at Gamble House
Sam Hall Kaplan ‘Los Angeles Lost and Found’ Book Signing
“NOT YET LA” one-day conference on Urban Design with LA/AIA, UCLA, USC, ASLA

This tradition continued during the 1990s, and many of the city’s most notable architects, designers and artists were serving on the Board of Directors when this mission statement was adopted: “The AFLA provides many opportunities to experience, appreciate, and foster LA Architecture, design, and related arts and to understand their impact on the community. As an interdisciplinary organization, the AFLA Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and Members include Architects, landscape architects, interior designers, graphic designers, industrial designers, an other design advocates.”

The programming highlight of the nineties was the LA Winners GALA: A celebration of regional, national, and international awards won by projects of Los Angeles architects and designers, co-sponsored and held at MOCA four times over the course of the decade. In addition, the boutique tours and lectures continued during the 90s and into the Millennium. These are only a few examples of the fine programming produced during those years:

Hard Hat Tours: LA Cathedral “Our Lady of the Angels, Getty Center, Santa Monica Public Library
Home Tours: Eric Owen Moss, Ahmanson House, Three Crestwood Homes, Frank Fitzgibbons
Factory Tours: Mixografia, Malibu Tile, Modernica, Marmol Radzinger and others
Walking Tours: Beverly Hills (Museum of Television, Neiman Marcus, Artistic Eye), Venice, Spring Street
Lectures and Book Signings: Julius Schulman, Marvin Rand, Elizabeth McMillian, among others

A paradigm shift from boutique to global began several years ago when AFLA launched The Design Green Awards, to recognize exceptional design of LEED certified projects by Southern California architects and designers. Now in its fourth year, Design Green has traveled to San Francisco, New York and Copenhagen to convene professionals renowned for their sustainable expertise to jury the entries, resulting in projects exemplifying the best design integrated with the best sustainable practices. However, the creation of the Salon for New Voices series, conversations with thinkers and leaders in areas of social justice, education, and sustainability, continues to honor AFLA’s boutique tradition of community programming in Los Angeles.

To those of you reading this, who led or contributed to any of the above programming or to other projects too numerous to mention: we know you to be dedicated, brilliant and passionate about art and architecture in Los Angeles, and we thank you.