Modernism Week October is Around the Corner

AIA California Desert Partners with Modernism Week

Modernism Week October will take place from October 24th to 27th, offering a packed schedule of tours, lectures, and hands-on experiences. We encourage everyone to participate and explore the rich legacy of Desert Modernism. Tickets are on sale now be sure to secure yours soon!

As you browse the event offerings, keep an eye out for those marked “AIA Approved Continuing Education,” which will allow you to earn learning units. This is a great opportunity to enhance your professional development while celebrating the iconic style that defines our desert landscape.

Let’s come together as a chapter to support this initiative by attending, learning, and showcasing our ongoing commitment to Desert Modernism—an architectural legacy we’re proud to carry forward.

Visit the *Modernism Week* website to sign up and join us in honoring this incredible tradition.

We look forward to seeing you in October!

Meet Olympia

CAREER

My career spans now (oh my gosh) 52 years. I was project architect for various firms working on many building types nationally and internationally for 15 years. I worked on a variety of projects in St. Louis and Philadelphia and some high-profile work overseas: the New International Airport in Athens, Greece, the historic preservation and expansion of the Emir's palace in Manama, Bahrain and the design of the Town Center of a New Town in Libya.

Soon after my move to California, 37 years ago, I started my own practice. It was based in Palos Verdes Estates, CA and it was focused on high-end residential and institutional work with LA Unified, the LA Metro and adaptive re-use for non-profits. 

I moved to the desert 19 years ago, and continued my practice in the Palos Verdes Peninsula from my new home in the desert. I like to say "...my clients followed me to the desert". 

I am in my 6th year teaching architecture at COD. I teach 2 classes: Second year Design Studio / Architectural Practice and Real Estate Development focused on 4 building types. 

ARCHITECTURE

My interest in architecture started early in high school in Athens and developed into a true love and passion for the profession. I completed my studies in the US and was licensed in several states and became NCARB certificate holder.

THE DESERT

While living on the south coast of LA, the desert was a weekend getaway for me and my family. The resort lifestyle was appealing. When it came time to think about starting my retirement it was the first place that came to mind, especially since I was juggling a great deal of work at the time. The proximity to Palos Verdes made it possible.

ARCHITECT INTERVIEW

I would love to interview Julia Morgan, and ask her about the Asilomar Conference grounds and guest cottages she designed in Pacific Grove, CA (home of the Monterey Design Conference). Ask her about the choice of location, the ingenuity she displayed on the exposed structure, the light filtering in, the materials and scale. Timeless!! 

ADVICE

Start working in the profession early. As a woman architect my advice has always been the same: be very good at what you do and develop strong convictions to be able to speak with knowledge and authority. Sketch often!!!



Congratulations Bing On Passing The ARE and Getting your License in California!!

AIA CDC: What classes are you teaching this semester? Can you share details on a particular design project?

Bing: This is a travel study program from Syracuse University School of Architecture, titled as "From Seoul to Tokyo, Cities of the Near Future". I have been running a similar version to this for Syracuse since 2016, named Three Cities Asia, in the summer semesters. Now it's the first time to do it as a regular fall semester program. We have one design studio and two seminar courses offered while travelling through nearly 10 cities in two countries for a total of 12 weeks. The design project is about emerging urban interfaces, the shops, pop-ups, and other tactical uses, happening now in the high density Asian urban environments, at both individual and collective scales. We collaborate with Yonsei University of Seoul, and Meiji University, Japan Woman University of Tokyo on this project. One of our seminar courses is about contemporary architectural practices in the region. It gives the students a great opportunity to visit offices and their works, and conduct interviews with the architects, from emerging young practices to rising global stars. 

AIA CDC: What was the final exam you just passed to complete your ARE?

- Do you have any advice and/ or study tips for those who are in the process of taking the exams?

Bing: I passed the Construction & Evaluation as the last one in ARE in May, and the CSE in August. For me, the exams are not difficult in general as my long enough experiences overseas provided me with sufficient knowledge. The codes are different but the purposes are very much the same. The CE and CSE took me more time to prepare as they are more specifically here. My only tip would be to relate the exam to your work. The answers are always in your experiences. The exams are related to the overall logic of this practice of architecture. It's more about "why it works this way" rather than "what it is".

AIA CDC: If you could go back in time to interview the architect of your favorite building, who would it be and what is the building?

Bing: Frey, the Frey House II. 

AIA CDC: With all of your travel, what's a bucket list place for you to visit that you have never been to?

Bing: Rio, it's a shame that I have never been to South America. 

Bing: I have 2 projects from China shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival Awards 2024. I will present them in November in Singapore.

https://www.worldbuildingsdirectory.com/entries/zhelin-community-center/

https://www.worldbuildingsdirectory.com/entries/ningbo-cultural-and-creative-port-phase-i-building/

A Note From our President, Kathy Friedle...

Hello California Desert Members!

Even though my sons are no longer in school (nor am I - the above photo is 5-year old me from 1972), September will always conjure up "back to school" memories for me. That first day of school: the thrill of the new lunchbox, the excitement to see friends, the nervousness about classes, and of course a few butterflies in the stomach. As a kid I remember a "follow along and stick to the rules" approach to life...get on the bus, go from class to class, try to stay out of trouble, and just put one foot in front of the other. Now as I get older I feel like I am more aware of embracing feelings and taking advantage of all opportunities - even if they are out of sync with what seems like the "normal" path. 

I hope you enjoyed our newsletter this month featuring two members of our California Desert Chapter who are teaching at the college level - Olympia Pilafidis (Professor of Architecture at College of the Desert) and Bing Bu (Professor of Architecture at Syracuse University). Their stories and career paths are so different and fascinating. I am grateful that we have dedicated professionals who are active at the education level! 

It's so important for students to have the opportunity to build their resume and learn from those practicing in the field.  If you can provide an opportunity for a student internship for any duration (holiday breaks, summers, etc...), please let Jorge Garcia know. Likewise, we are always looking for professionals who would be willing to help with student design project critiques and portfolio workshops. If that's something that you can help with, again, please let Jorge know.

You will be receiving information from AIA National about your membership renewal. With prices of everything going up these days, I wanted to share with you that your California Desert Board voted to NOT raise local dues this year - they will remain the same as last year.  Thank you for being members and we look forward to seeing you at upcoming events!

All the best,

Thanks,

Kathy Friedle, Assoc. AIA

President, AIA California Desert