LAIAD




	LAIAD The Los Angeles Institute of Architecture and Design Founded in Los Angeles, April, 2000 by Bernard Zimmerman, FAIA, and William Taylor, AIA Co-Directors www.laiad.com The Los Angeles Institute of Architecture & Design (LAIAD) is a new school of architecture and design focusing on learning through apprenticeship and the mentor system. Originally architecture and design were learned by this method of direct relationship between knowledge and practice. Through the twentieth century design education has evolved quite often to a position of separation between academia and the profession. In some schools of architecture the profession is actually demeaned by some educators, especially those who do not practice. The LAIAD contends that the apprenticeship program should balance the present state of education with the opportunity for direct exposure to leading architects and designers in the Los Angeles area. Most of these architects and designers have also been or are presently educators, so they are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of both methods of learning. This ability to combine the best of both systems is the major strength of LAIAD. STUDIO INTERFACE The intent of the program is to emphasize basic design, architectural design projects and technical training during the first two years of the program in order to prepare the student for productive apprenticeship. The coursework in the first two years is designed to prepare students not only for further study and work in the field of architecture, but also for work in related fields of graphic, industrial, and digital design. At the conclusion of this 2-year design segment of study, students will be assigned to a mentor for 1 year. Each mentor will present a description of the type of work or research that will be provided in their offices in order to allow each student to select the discipline and mentor of their choice. An interview between mentor and student will determine the working relationship. A mentor may also limit the amount of students each quarter. Mentors will be required to provide each student with a broad exposure to architectural and/or design practice. At the conclusion of the 3-year program, students will be eligible for advanced placement in a local university for completion of a degree in architecture or design. This admission and placement process will be based on portfolio review. In general, students can expect to attend 2 years in university to complete the requirements for a professional degree (B Arch). . Articulation agreements are being worked out with other institutions, or the student can apply to any university program. Alternatively, the three-year course is a preparation for entry into the profession and will include courses directed towards passing the licensing examination, if applicable, provided by individuals who have many years of experience in offering licensing course material. Internet Site - Studio classes, design reviews, and lectures will take place at the LAIAD located in Culver City. In addition, LAIAD will have an extensive internet site designed for the exchange and criticism of ideas between students, faculty, and mentors. This site is intended to augment rather than replace the traditional design studio experience. This environment will introduce students to digital design issues, and will provide a forum to discuss student experiences in the third year. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS In general, LAIAD best serves those students whose interests and personal characteristics mesh productively with its distinctive educational program. Drive and determination, a capacity for hard work, and a sense of purpose are more important than one's previous record of attainment. Normally any high school graduate may be considered. Community College transfer students are welcome and will be placed in the program upon portfolio review with possible advanced standing. It is expected that each student will have completed 60 units of general education prior to or concurrent with their first two years of study. This material will usually be taken at a community college or university. Courses should include math through trigonometry. A year of physics is also beneficial. APPLICATION PROCEDURE LAIAD sets no strict application deadlines. However, since qualified applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, it is wise to submit applications as early as possible. A $25.00 application fee is required before applications can be considered for admission. This fee is a one-time payment and is non-refundable nor applicable to the payment of any other charges. When the application, the $25.00 fee, high school and all college transcripts are received at LAIAD, a counseling interview is scheduled. If the student has completed art or architectural design classes, his or her portfolio is reviewed at this time. Shortly after the interview, students are notified of admission and informed of their studio placement for the first quarter. CURRICULUM First Year Studio 1 - Perception and Principles Architecture and art are understood as the embodiment of design principles and ideas that the students are asked to examine. Students are required to demonstrate conceptual ordering principles in a abstract, systematic way through models and drawings. Introductory Topics Concepts in Art and Architecture Understanding Order Understanding Design Principles Field Research Lectures Drawing and Model-making Studio 2 - Basic Design Students deal with the application of the design principles learned in Studio 1 in the form of 2-D and 3-D basic design problems, including a small architectural problem. Using Rules to Organize Elements Development of Ordering Systems Field Research Lectures Drawing and Model-making Studio 3 - Architectural Design Process Students look at the conditions, principles and issues that are considered in the decision making process of architecture. Architectural principles are studied and applied as ideas of enclosure, structure, organization, spatial sequence, and materials. The goal is an understanding of concept, site, and program in the formation of mid-sized architectural solutions. Introduction to Architectural Design / Design Process Understanding Site Influences Understanding Programmatic Influences Understanding Conceptual Influences Formation of an Architectural Response Understanding Structure Field Research Lectures Second Year Studios 4 and 5 - Architectural Design Studios 4 and 5 involve the inclusion and synthesis of the full range of factors that influence architectural design. It therefore completes the foundation phase of the student's education. These studios introduce real and complex programs, clients and situations. The integration of structure and mechanical systems is stressed. At the end of studio 5 the student is expected to be able to engage a relatively large and complex architectural problem. Integrating Site Influences / Site Planning Integrating Programmatic Influences Integrating Conceptual Influences Integrating Materials and Methods Integrating Structure Integrating Environmental Systems / HVAC Synthesis and Formation of an Architectural Response Field Research Lectures Studio 6 - Design Topics Studios 6 is intended as an opportunity for each student to spend time developing skills in the area of design that they are most interested in pursuing in the Mentor Program. LAIAD will give students the opportunity to mentor with outstanding professionals in any of several disciplines. Students wishing to continue with architecture as a professional focus will be given more advanced architectural problems. Students will also prepare portfolios as a requirement for admission and placement in the mentor program Advanced Architectural Design / Urban Design Graphic / Web Design Digital / 3-D / Animation Design Product / Industrial Design Interior Architecture Portfolio Third Year Mentor Program During this year students will be working with a mentor as previously described. Currently the list of mentors is as follows: Wiliam Adams Frank Gehry Ray Kappe Anthony Lumsden Thom Mayne Richard Meier, Eric Owen Moss Michael Rotondi Jim Stafford Students have the opportunity to be with a mentor for more than one quarter but for a maximum of one year. It will be possible to work with three different mentors during the year. It would be hoped that through a broad range of design problems and scales as well as urban and planning issues, the student will have an exceptional experience. It is the intent of this program to provide the student with a broad understanding of the professional experience. Students will be asked to design projects on their own as well as participate in collaboration with others. In some cases design will be entirely under the guidance of the mentor. It is expected that the student will meet with consultants, work on construction documents, and participate in construction management. The student will be exposed to marketing techniques and office management procedures. There will also be an introduction to various agencies in the city in order to understand the complexities of architectural practice. During this year of study it will be possible for students to take an additional (Summer) quarter if they make special arrangements with one the mentors. FACULTY Bernard Zimmerman, FAIA William Taylor, AIA LECTURE SERIES The Los Angeles Institute of Architecture and Design will sponsor lecture programs each quarter. Besides these lectures, Los Angeles is rich with art and architectural programs throughout the year. During the four years of study at LAIAD, students will be required to attend these presentations as required by their professors and mentors. EVALUATIONS At LAIAD the traditional system of letter grades has been replaced by the portfolio concept, whereby the student accumulates detailed evaluations and samples of his or her representative work. The portfolio concept ensures careful and continual evaluation of the students' work in progress by faculty. LAIAD does not recognize failure, but instead encourages that projects be repeated and improved upon until a successful conclusion is reached, or the student is redirected. Upon the completion of each design, they will be reviewed by faculty members and displayed in the jury room. Discussion with the students will take place after the jury process, and students will have the opportunity to defend their approach at that time. This is a reversal of the present process used in most universities. Four major portfolio reviews will occur for each student. These reviews will occur at the completion of each of the main curriculum junctions. At the end of Studio 2, at the end of Studio 5, at the end of Studio 6, and at the end of the mentor program. A copy of the portfolio will be submitted to the institute archives at the end of the mentor program. back to volume5