Luxury Life & Style

The STATe of ARchITecTuRe In The SouTh bAy to place more value on the thoughtfulness and relevance of the design, as well as, the execution of the work. SL: I think mansionization is inevitable in a sought after and growing community like ours. And, I would argue that it actually adds value to our community. For example, a triple lot purchased by one person and developed for a family, will more likely than not hire a cutting edge architect and a quality-in-mind builder. On the other hand, a spec builder would sub divide the three lots and develop Taco Bell architecture to be sold for maximum profit. The former scenario is better for our community. Larger homes also ease our density, parking and emissions problems. And, they attract affluence, which in turn drives architecture, which ultimately creates a wonderful environment in which to live. TK: In the last issue of our magazine we did a feature piece on “green” building in the South Bay. I think we can agree that that concept can mean different things to different people. What is happening in this space? Is it a trend or here to stay? SL: Green is not necessarily an adjective. It’s a behavior and a way of life and one that is increasingly necessary to our existence. In order to build green, we need to think green. It’s an attitude and a behavior, well before it’s a thing. And I believe it is here to stay. Think of how a sailor would navigate the distance between the mainland and Hawaii: with a defined amount of water, food and fuel. He lives green without choice, as we should. Green is any conscious effort, however big or small, that considers the ramifications of our actions. PK: My favorite saying is “green is not necessarily green”. We really need to look at all aspects of any material or technique we use before we call it environmentally friendly. We are calling the use of bamboo in flooring and cabinetry “green”, but is anyone truly looking at what the production of these materials are doing to the local environments in China, or the cost to the environment to ship them here to the United States? We are building fancy systems into homes that use less energy but wouldn’t building a smaller structure to begin with use even less? We like to pretend that building a six bedroom home with a living room, family room and entertainment room for a family of three is environmentally friendly because we add a back-up solar hot water heating system. Don’t get me wrong, anything we can do to minimize our impact on the globe is helpful. But, until we can train ourselves to use only what we need, not what we want, we will never really be doing anything green. LT: Green and sustainable building is anything but a trend, and it is definitely here to stay. Although the design community currently awards buildings whose design and energy performance go well beyond the current standards, these practices are sure to become the baseline for design and building expectations in the near future. As architects and builders, what is truly important to note is the very large percentage of our national resources that the building industry uses, which should leave us with a great share of the responsibility to design with aggressive, sustainable goals in mind. Since there is so much more to green design than switching light bulbs, it is imperative that architects stay abreast of current development of sustainable materials and building methods as they emerge. JM: I would like to think that the “trending” that appears to be gaining momentum is really a small, but more permanent, phase shift in the way we as human beings see ourselves as part of a much larger and more meaningful existence on the planet. The idea of climate change and our ability to affect it has really played into our everyday lives. Our personal contributions to a healthier planet are far more measurable when looked at in terms of neighborhoods and communities and anything we can do as citizens first and then as architects, designers, developers and builders to have less of an impact on the earth is, ultimately, a good thing. TK: We’re hearing more and more about “mixed-use” development in the South Bay. What is that and it is something we as South Bay residents should be excited about? PK: Mixed-use is a concept that has been around for centuries. The idea is founded on an urban lifestyle where residential use is integrated with commercial. The benefits of this concept are many. Not only does mixed-use allow more people to live and work in a smaller footprint but also moves our homes closer to our jobs and stores reducing the need to drive. L.A. is such a sprawling suburb that we tend to forget that we live in what should be an urban setting. As population increases, allowing mixed-use is a way to help minimize the impact of that increase on the environment. The current trend of ballot box zoning in many South Bay communities, however, has doomed a very worthwhile urban infill concept to failure. LT: Many European countries are great examples of how mixed-use planning can work to bring out pedestrian oriented, vibrant communities and urban centers by locating places for living within the city. Although much of the South Bay was originally laid out in a suburban style plan, most if not all of the cities are currently reinventing their cities to become less car oriented and more pedestrian friendly. Mixed-use developments definitely help establish this city core by bringing people’s living areas directly into the activity center. SL: Mixed-use, as a concept, has always been in large cities, as a necessity. In smaller towns, like those in the South Bay, we’re seeing its arrival as a luxury, and one that we should welcome for the value it will bring to our quality of life. JM: The “suburban” experience has been enhanced and made more desirable over the years by the evolution of the automobile. Of course, we are now beginning to see more clearly the negative effects of this lifestyle on the environment, but what about how it affects us mentally, or physically? I would argue that the idea of a neighborhood, or a community, is enhanced by people living and working together. As the workplace environment evolves, and more and more individuals work from home or would prefer to walk or ride a bike to work, so should our attitude toward zoning. I believe that a more open-minded and flexible attitude toward mixed-use development is necessary and will ultimately result in a more integrated, sustainable and dynamic community. • 66 Luxury Life & Style May/June 2008

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Editor's Letter Carte Blanche Home The Arts Seen in the South Bay Give Drive Spotlight Feature Seen in the South Bay Travel The Cellar Dine In Developement Coda

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