Speakers of The Rise
AWA+D has added two additional speakers to the line up for The Rise: Building Downtown Los Angeles! Moderated by KCRW’s Frances Anderton, these advocates, architects, urbanists, designers and academics highlights the diversity and quality that our Downtown draws. We thought you might be interested to learn more about this amazing group.
Hal Bastian @HALinLA
Founder, Hal Bastian Inc.
Considered by many the “Mayor of Downtown and Mr. Downtown,” Hal Bastian is one of Downtown Los Angeles’ biggest advocates. He recently launched his own economic development consultancy, Hal Bastian Inc., after spending more than three decades promoting commercial real estate in the area and serving as the Executive Vice President & Director of Economic Development for the Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID). While at the DCBID, Hal was instrumental in spurring residential, retail, nightlife and doglife(! ) in the area.
Gee-ghid Tse
Senior Associate, Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc.
A native Angeleno, Gee-ghid Tse joined Michael Maltzan Architecture in 2008. Since starting with the firm, he has worked as the Senior Project Designer on many high-profile projects including the Hammer Museum, the Bull Creek Residence in Austin, and the Regen Projects Gallery. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with a Minor in Structural Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master in Architecture degree from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. He is a registered architect in California, a LEED Accredited Professional with Specialty in Building Design and Construction, and a member of the American Institute of Architects.
Peter Zellner
Principal / Studio Design Lead, Architecture, AECOM Los Angeles
Peter Zellner brings a perspective to design and planning formed from over 20 years of experience in conceptualizing and realizing transportation, environmental, infrastructure and even civic projects. In addition to work within AECOM’s Buildings and Places practice, Peter serves as a faculty member at SCIArc, including coordinating the school’s Future Initiatives urban design program. Peter has been named an emerging design voice by national publications such as The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times.
Nicholas P. Maricich
City Planner, Los Angeles Department of City Planning | Policy Planning Division
As a City Planner with the Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Nick Maricich oversees long range land use planning for Downtown Los Angeles. Nick joined the City of LA in 2007 after working in both the private and non-profit sectors. He also served for the past six years on the board of the American Planning Association, Los Angeles Section. Nick obtained his bachelor’s degree in Geography with a minor in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley, and holds a master’s degree in urban planning from UCLA.
Tarrah Beebe
Architect, Killefer Flammang Architects
As a resident and architect, Tarrah Beebe is directly contributing to the transformation of Downtown Los Angeles. Having just completed her tenth year with Killefer Flammang Architects, she has participated in a number of projects within the area including an urban infill project at 7th and Olive and New Genesis Apartments, an affordable housing project at 5th and Main. Killefer Flammang Architects has completed over 30 notable projects in Downtown Los Angeles, and is dedicated to developing pedestrian-oriented urban landscapes rich with historic character.
Frances Anderton @FrancesAnderton
Host, KCRW’s DnA: Design & Architecture
Since 2002, Frances Anderton has hosted KCRW’s DnA: Design and Architecture, exploring pressing design issues with users, critics and design luminaries. Frances is a frequent writer on architecture and design topics for publications including Dwell, the New York Times and KCET’s Artbound. Most recently she published Grand Illusion: A Story of Ambition, and its Limits, on LA’s Bunker Hill, based on a studio she co-taught with Frank Gehry at USC School of Architecture that explored decades of flawed planning efforts on downtown’s Grand Avenue.