Embracing the challenge of community based design, AIJK principals Aleks Istanbullu and John Kaliski affirm that architecture and design begins with active listening to local voices and acute observation of conditions. AIJK is committed to design innovation through open communication and a full accounting of client and community desires and dreams. Successful architecture and city design are realized as the constraints of the site and spirit of the place are ultimately fulfilled through the everyday use of the project. Balancing intensive analysis, creative insight and practical knowledge, the design team responds to economic and temporal realities as well as the unique needs of each client. Aleks Istanbullu and John Kaliski take an active stand for personal involvement and professional leadership, aspiring to the highest standards of professional ethics as well as the craft of building.
 

John Kaliski  Aleks Istanbullu

Aleks Istanbullu, AIA - Principal

Aleks Istanbullu, AIA, founding principal of Aleks Istanbullu John Kaliski, Architecture and City Design, originally formed Aleks Istanbullu Architects, AIA in 1986. Prior to opening his practice, Istanbullu worked in both the Chicago and Los Angeles offices of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. During ten years as a senior designer and Associate of this firm, Istanbullu was responsible for the master planning, design and construction of projects ranging up to 1,000,000 square feet in size.

His work over the past ten years includes the design and rehabilitation of commercial and institutional facilities, multi-unit housing projects, child care centers, tenant improvements and single family houses. Recent projects include the design of ESBAS Children’s Center in Izmir, Turkey, Beverly West Square, a 93,000 square foot urban retail center, an 8 unit affordable family housing project, interior improvements for the L.A. Hear Center, and the Chatsworth Metrolink Station and Child Care Center completed in April 1996. The office’s work was recognized in 1993 with a Los Angeles Chapter/AIA Honor Award and in 1994 with a California Council/AIA Governmental/Institutional Merit Award

Istanbullu's writings on urban design and architecture have been published in L.A. Architect. A former faculty member at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Istanbullu taught environmental psychology. He is currently President of the Design Professional's Coalition and an active member of the American Institute of Architects..

John Kaliski, AIA - Principal

John Kaliski, AIA, concentrates on architectural and urban design projects that are framed by the complex dynamics of the city. With a background in both the public and private sectors, he brings an interest, passion and knowledge of the shaping forces of urbanism to each design effort. A partner since 1993 in AIJK, he has worked on urban design projects throughout Southern California and nationally. His design work during the past four years has included child care, cultural arts, historic rehabilitation, tenant improvement, office, medical and residential projects.

Prior to his partnership with Aleks Istanbullu, John Kaliski was the Principal Architect of the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles. Before his experience with CRA/LA, Kaliski worked as a design architect with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill in Los Angeles and Houston. He graduated from Yale University and has taught design history, studios and theory at the University of Houston, University of Southern California, and the Southern California Institute of Architecture. He has lectured on cities and architecture throughout the United States. His writings have appeared in numerous magazines including Harper’s, Design Book Review, Texas Architect and Cite as well as the forthcoming collection of essays, The Architecture of Everyday Life. He has served as an urban design juror for the Progressive Architecture awards jury and in 1994 was named as one of 50 future leaders under forty by TIME. In 1996, John Kaliski served as chair of the American Institute of Architects Regional and Urban Design Committee. During his tenure he took the initiative to develop a national urban design policy for the AIA that was adopted by the Institute in 1997.
 

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