{"id":215121,"date":"2025-05-05T13:06:36","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T23:06:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=215121"},"modified":"2025-05-05T16:16:59","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T02:16:59","slug":"arch-students-explore-la-firms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/05\/05\/arch-students-explore-la-firms\/","title":{"rendered":"糖心视频<\/abbr> architecture students explore LA<\/abbr> design scene"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"arch
Thom Mayne with Assistant Professors Lee and Ishida and students during a visit to his Los Angeles studio, Stray Dog Caf\u00e9.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"students
Students visit Emerson College Los Angeles, a project by Morphosis that Ishida worked on as part of the design team.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Graduate students from the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa School of Architecture (SoA<\/abbr>) recently traveled to Los Angeles for a three-day immersive field trip filled with professional engagement and hands-on learning. Part of the MArch Capstone Studio (ARCH 783) co-taught by Assistant Professors Yasushi Ishida and Ho Kyung Lee, the experience offered students the chance to meet leading architects, tour landmark buildings and see firsthand how ideas take shape in practice.<\/p>\n

Students visited renowned firms including Gensler, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG<\/abbr>), Michael Maltzan Architecture, EC3<\/abbr> and Morphosis. Each stop featured office tours, presentations and candid conversations with designers about their processes and inspirations.<\/p>\n

“This trip grew from a student\u2019s question about the role of physical models,” said Ishida. “I wanted to show how leading firms use them as vital design tools, while also connecting students with LA<\/abbr>\u2019s design culture and walking them through buildings I helped design. It became a meaningful bridge between their education and professional aspirations, and we are incredibly grateful to the firms and individuals who shared their time and insights.” <\/p>\n

Learning from top LA<\/abbr> architects <\/h2>\n

Founder Edwin Chan welcomed students to EC3<\/abbr>, sharing insights from his time at Gehry Partners where he helped design the Guggenheim Bilbao, and discussing current projects such as Detroit\u2019s Core City. He highlighted physical models as key to collaboration and client ownership.<\/p>\n

\"students
Students listen as a BIG partner, Leon Rost, introduces project models during a visit to the firm\u2019s Santa Monica office.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Michael Maltzan Architecture demonstrated how models advance both design and community dialogue, especially in projects such as the 6th Street Viaduct and supportive housing for Skid Row.
\nStudents also visited BIG<\/abbr>\u2019s LA<\/abbr> office to explore a wide range of projects, from homes to Toyota Woven City, an experimental prototype for future living in Japan.<\/p>\n

A highlight was visiting Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne at Morphosis and his personal studio, Stray Dog Caf\u00e9, where students engaged in conversation about the evolution of design ideas and staying authentic in a changing profession.<\/p>\n

“Seeing the level of creativity, professionalism and intensity across all the offices we visited was both humbling and inspiring,” said student Paul Mullins. “It made me realize how much room there is to grow, and how much is possible when you\u2019re deeply committed to the work.”<\/p>\n

In addition to firm visits, students toured significant sites including The Broad, Emerson College LA<\/abbr>, Neutra VDL<\/abbr> House and Griffith Observatory. They also connected with students and faculty at Southern California Institute of Architecture, exchanging ideas and presenting work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u200b\u200bStudents toured top Los Angeles firms and landmarks to gain firsthand insight into contemporary design practices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":215129,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[240,969,1466,239,9],"class_list":["post-215121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-architecture","tag-career-development","tag-manoa-enhancing-student-success","tag-school-of-architecture","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t