Support For The Venice Dell Affordable Housing Project: An Urgent Request for Action

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Tuesday Newsletter

October 14, 2025

Support For The Venice Dell Affordable Housing Project:

An Urgent Request for Action

Dear Honorable Members of the Los Angeles City Council,

As the Director of Government and Public Affairs for the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|LA), I am writing to express enthusiastic support for the Venice Dell permanent supportive housing project. This is a landmark opportunity for the City to fulfill its promise to our most vulnerable residents and demonstrate its leadership in tackling the housing crisis. We urge you to seize this moment and move this vital project forward without delay.

Read the Letter

Spotlight On

AIA|LA Architects in Action: Linda Dervishaj, AIA, OAA - Principal, Hanson LA

Connecting People, Place, and Purpose

Design Philosophy & Core Values

Q- Your philosophy centers on “creating spaces that connect people, place, and purpose.” Could you elaborate on what each of these elements means to you in a design context, and how you ensure they are integrated into your projects?

A- I think every project is an opportunity to create meaningful places that resonate with the people who use them. People, place, and purpose are deeply intertwined. The way a space feels and functions is shaped by people, the context it inhabits, and the activities it supports. Design can welcome or alienate; it can foster connection or offer spaces for reflection and solitude. Whatever that purpose or intent is, I strive to keep it at the heart of every project. This means asking questions, listening carefully...

Read the Q+A

Last Chance to Join the AIA|LA Immigration Summit - 3 days left!

We talk about inclusion, opportunity, and access every day — but how often do we look at immigration through the lens of design? The AIA|LA Immigration Summit brings together architects, policymakers, and community leaders to explore how immigration shapes the built environment, our profession, and our collective future.

If you’ve been meaning to register, this is your moment. The conversations happening here are too important — and too timely — to miss.

Seats are still available, but not for long.

Tickets

Coming up

AIA|LA CITY LEADERS BREAKFAST RECEPTION W/ JOHN L. REAMER, JR. – INSPECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS & DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION, CITY OF LOS ANGELES

October 16 @ 8:00 AM- 9:30 AM

John L. Reamer, Jr. has had a distinguished career in public service, beginning his tenure with the City of Los Angeles as an Electrical Craft Helper before advancing to the role of Inspector of Public Works and Director of the Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA) in August 2004, a position he still holds today.

As the Inspector of Public Works, Mr. Reamer plays a central ...

Story and Registration

MEET THE PRACTICES – JOHN KALISKI ARCHITECTS, INC. (JKA) - FREE

October 16 @ 5:30 PM- 7:30 PM

Please join us for a tour of John Kaliski Architects, Inc. Founded in 2000, JKA is a full-service, certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) focusing on multifamily housing and urban design projects. The firm’s mission is to employ architecture and urban design practices to create resilient buildings and places that foster individual well-being, social opportunity, and a sense of community.

Story and Registration

AIA|LA CITY LEADERS BREAKFAST RECEPTION W/ SADE ELHARAWAY – ASSEMBLYMEMBER, DISTRICT #57, CALIFORNIA

October 17 @ 8:00 AM- 9:30 AM

Assemblymember Sade Elhawary is an educator, organizer, and advocate for social justice who represents the 57th Assembly District, including the communities of Exposition Park, South Los Angeles, and Downtown Los Angeles.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, the Assemblymember is the eldest daughter of Egyptian and Guatemalan immigrants who came to the United States...

Story and Registration

Community

Equitable Restroom Accommodation: Defending Everyone’s Right to Be and to Pee in the Public Sphere

by Eve Reynolds, AIA*

*The views expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the AIA|LA Board of Directors or its membership.

As of September 2025, it is illegal in twenty out of fifty states for trans and gender nonconforming people to use the restroom associated with their identity in public buildings, in K-12 schools, government buildings, colleges, and more. “You cannot pee here, and you have no place being here,” is the not-so-subtle message. The fact that no equitable restroom accommodation has been offered in any of these states to counter the exclusionary laws proves the point that trans folk are simply not welcome. “There are only two genders, and yours is written on your birth certificate.” Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Read the Op-Ed

Join Tile of Spain for Tile, Trends and Tapas: a CEU Event

Tile of Spain USA invites you to an evening of innovation. Join Spanish ceramic manufacturers and industry peers on November 6th, 2025, at AIA LA for an event inspired by classic Spanish design. Guests will experience a CEU presentation on ceramic tile trends and technologies as well as explore a curated showcase of new products from Spain.

Thursday, November 6, 2025

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

AIA Los Angeles

4450 W Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016