Category Archives: Events

Los Angeles Is Synonymous with Modern Architecture

With examples such as the Schindler House built in 1922 in West Hollywood, the Fitzpatrick- Leland House built in 1936 on Laurel Canyon, and the Mackey Apartments built in 1939 on South Cochran Ave, Los Angeles has been the mecca of modern architecture for almost 100 years.

The modern movement, or modern architecture defined in simple terms, is based on new groundbreaking, and many times avant-garde technologies of construction. The materials used are also part of the allure, for along with its clean lines and minimalist concept is the use of such materials as glass, steel, and reinforced concrete. The mantra of modern architecture is form follows function, which accounts for such innovative shaped buildings and creative living spaces.

Los Angeles is still going strong in the new crop of architects that are making their way into neighborhoods and city streets by way of their uniquely constructed building and living concepts.

Are you curious about how to see all the new modern masterpieces in Los Angeles architecture all at once? A book published by Prestel available on Amazon titled “New Architecture Los Angeles” does a fantastic job of chronicling the new modern architecture starting from the year 2000.

Akin to designing and building a piece of architectural genius, this book is also a collaboration of text written by Brooke Hodge, whose resume includes Director of Exhibitions and Publications at the Hammer Museum; Curator of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles, and most recently was named Palm Springs Art Museum’s first Architecture & Design Director.

The pictures in this book are breathtaking and taken by architectural photographer Mike Kelley.

Some examples of the new modern architecture include: the Formosa 1140, built in 2008 on North Formosa in West Hollywood and designed by Lorcan O’ Herlihy Architects (LOHA); the Wilshire Grand Center, built and designed by AC Martin in 2017 and located on (surprise) Wilshire Blvd. in Downtown LA; and the Vespertine, built in 2016 in Culver City by Eric Owen Moss Architects.

Los Angeles is just one of those cities which happens to have a psychic architectural past…just one of the many mysteries of living in LA.

Hot off the Press!

ADG Lighting Founder Featured in Architectural Digest

Our founder Gerald Olesker was interviewed for Architectural Digest for this feature on how the trade war is impacting design businesses

Read the Article HERE

Notre Dame Cathedral Fire Inspires Unity and Hope

The French people and the world watched in horror as the flames engulfed the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and the spire fell in flames. Our imaginations ran wild as we imagined the potential loss of not only a sacred place of worship, but rare artifacts that were housed within the gothic walls. As the flames were subdued by a gallant fire brigade, news travelled quickly that the initial damage appeared to be minimal, along with a heroic fire brigade chaplain saving numerous artifacts. But the true damage to the Notre Dame Cathedral has yet to be assessed or determined. The question that now presents itself is what is the true structural damage to the building and what will it take to restore the architectural splendor of this grand building.

Construction of the Notre Dame Cathedral began in 1160 A.D., and is surely one of the finest examples of gothic architecture in the world. The project brought together many of the style’s characteristic features of large windows, vertical stresses and slender, pointed arches. The Notre Dame Cathedral inspired the building of a series of great gothic cathedrals across northern cities such as Chartres, Rouen, Amiens and Reims. The structure brought new levels of refinement and artistic expression into style through the magnificent height of the spaces, the unique ornamentation, and the whimsical effects of the stained glass on the light. The Notre Dame Cathedral and similar structures sent a powerful message to the people about Christ, saints and other important figures such as kings and lords of the area.

Only time will tell what the true impact of this devastating fire on this iconic landmark, but the tragedy has moved the people of France and the world into unity. Last reports indicate that donations have been made for restoration which exceed $1 billion. The government of France has energetically committed to absolute perfection in the restoration, no matter how long it takes or what the cost will be. It reflects the inspirational power of the Notre Dame Cathedral on the global community to come together as one.

From the ADG Job Site

In Palos Verdes, our project manager Nikki is ensuring the ADG Advantage is taking place with our new kinetic chandelier.

by Gerald Olesker, CEO, ADG Lighting

Richard Rogers Wins AIA Gold

Richard Rogers wins the 2019 AIA Gold Medal, and will be recognized at this year’s national conference in Las Vegas. Rogers is a Pritzker Prize-winning architect recognized for his work on the Centre Pompidou and the Lloyd’s of London headquarters. Rogers is recognized as one of the leading architects of the British high-tech movement. He stands out as one of the most innovative and distinctive architects of a generation.

After attending the Architectural Association in London, Rogers studied at Yale University, where he met architecture student Norman Foster. After graduating Yale, the two architects joined forces with Su Brumwell and Wendy Cheeseman to form Team 4 in 1963. Though their collaboration as Team 4 lasted just four years, it would prove to be a crucial formative stage in British architecture, as both Rogers and Foster went on to be the leading names of the British high-tech scene.

Rogers began another fruitful collaboration after Team 4; this time with Renzo Piano, whose big break came in 1971 when, working with architect Gianfranco Franchini and Peter Rice, an engineer from Arup, won the competition to design the Centre Pompidou. Rogers and Piano shocked many with their radical design, placing the building’s services in full view in a trademark technique that went on to be known as “bowellism.” He considers the work his team delivered through the Urban Task Force to be among his most significant achievements. The initiative brought together a range of people who were concerned with the physical environment, from academics, planners and politicians to developers and architects.

Since 1947, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) had awarded the AIA Gold Medal, which is conferred by the AIA Board of Directors. It is awarded to those architects for a significant body of work with influence on the theory and practice of architecture.

From the Factory Floor

New doors for the bar!

by Gerald Olesker, CEO, ADG Lighting

CAED Cal Poly Hosts Design Exhibition

The 15th Annual Vellum Furniture Design Exhibition will be held on November 2nd and 3rd in San Luis Obispo and is a must see! The event is being co-hosted between Cal Poly Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) school and Vellum Build Design.

It will feature 195 participant entries from students at CAED, who have been asked to conceive and construct furniture projects with tables, chairs, light fixtures, toys and other furniture designs. Their work will be judged by a panel of experts on function, individuality and beauty. The top project will be awarded the Milano Grand Prize and will travel to Milan, Italy in April for the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the largest furniture fair in the world.

The competition provides students of CAED the opportunity to engage in real-life design situations, such as managing budgets, materials, fabricators and manufacturers. It also challenges them to meet real-life timelines, deadlines and construction schedules, all of which are not incorporated into the typical academic experience.

The Cal Poly acclaimed College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) offers a unique blend of eight degree programs in five related departments. The CAED programs include architecture, architectural engineering, regional and city planning, construction management and landscape architecture. The school has a 70-year history, with over 16,000 alumni, who have been a driving force shaping the planning, design and construction disciplines.

From the ADG Jobsite

One of several custom tables made for a high rise entry space in San Francisco.

by Gerald Olesker, CEO, ADG Lighting

World Architecture Festival 2018 in Amsterdam

The World Architecture Festival was first held in 2008. It is a three day festival and awards competition dedicated to celebrating architecture from across the globe. During the first four years, the festival was held in Barcelona, and since 2012 in Singapore. Each year, hundreds of projects are entered in the competition for the awards and more than 200 of these are shortlisted for live presentation at the festival. All the presentations of the entries are collected in the World Buildings Directory. The architects pay a submission fee to enter a project for a WAF Award and travel to where the festival is arranged to present the project live if it is shortlisted. The entries are voluntary and the festival does not control who submits projects.

This year, the festival will be held in Amsterdam on Nov 28-30. The shortlist for their 2018 awards features 536 projects ranging from small family homes, to schools, stations, museums, large infrastructure and landscape projects. Known as the world’s largest architectural award program, the WAF Awards saw more participation this year than ever before, with more than 1000 entries received from projects located in 81 countries across the world.

The 2018 World Architecture Festival Super Jury

Christopher Brandon, Managing Principal, Perkins & Will

Nigel Coates, Director, Nigel Coates Firm

Päivi Meuronen, Interior architect, JKMM Architects

Lyndon Neri, Founding Partner, Neri & Hu Design

Nesna Petresin, Visiting Fellow at Goldsmiths, University of London

From the ADG Jobsite

Custom square acrylic chandelier and pyrex and brass outdoor lights

by Gerald Olesker, CEO, ADG Lighting

Yacht Design Project Nominated For Prestigious Awards

Our unique collaboration with Scott Cole of Ardeo Design to design lighting for the Ardeo yacht project Lacey Kay has received well-deserved accolades with recent award recognition. The Lacey Kay is a 96’ foot New Nordhavn Super Yacht, based out of the Caribbean. Ardeo Design was commissioned to work on the interior design of the new yacht, and ADG Lighting was the perfect choice to partner with them on the project. The Lacey Kay project was nominated for several awards:

Boat International Design & Innovation Awards 2018 recognized the Lacey Kay as a finalist for 2018. Previously known as the ShowBoats Design Awards, the refreshed awards program acknowledges not only the naval architecture and styling, but also design aspects that represent innovation and engineering amid the changing demands of owners and the increased product portfolio of technology.

The International Yacht & Aviation Awards are in their 8th year and are the only design-focused awards for the industry. The Lacey Kay was a 2017 winner. There are other events which are, of course, are similar in nature, but none that have come about with the sole intention on focusing on the essential design elements of both the yacht and aviation sectors.

International Superyacht Society Awards recognized the Lacey Kay as a finalist in 2017. It is the global association for the superyacht industry.

ADG Lighting was challenged to bring the client’s vision to reality. The owner of the Lacey Kay had a vision of walnut wood, leather and fabric on the interiors with accents of polished stainless steel. The creative offerings from ADG Lighting included a chrome shade wall sconce and a round drum chandelier. Both offerings precisely created the vision of the client and Ardeo Design. The final design concept surpassed the owner’s expectation and vision for a design that featured natural and metallic elements. The partnership was the perfect opportunity for ADG Lighting to feature their creative collaboration approach to design. The Lacey Kay was delivered to the owner in early 2016.

Photo Credit: Martin Fine. Interior Design: Scott Cole.

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