Design and Architecture

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Proterra and the rise of electric buses Jul 06, 2017

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For Swedish automaker Volvo, the combustible engine in a thing of the past. Beginning in 2019 all of the new car models it introduces will be fully electric or hybrids. It's the first major traditional automaker to set a concrete date for phasing out combustion-engine-only models. The trend, however, isn't limited to just car companies. There is a boom in electric bus manufacturers in the U.S. as well, including right here in Southern California.

Freedom sculpture, Henry Rollins, surfboards Jul 04, 2017

Show notes

The Fourth of July holiday is a great time to crank up the music and hit the beach. Henry Rollins likes his punk played on a perfect sound system, which he shows us on a tour of his home. And we hear about the enduring tradition of innovative surf design in Santa Barbara. We also mark Independence Day with a look at the new Freedom Sculpture in Century City. Designed by engineer-artist Cecil Balmond, it draws inspiration from the ancient Persian king Cyrus.

Should extremely creative CEOs get away with bad behavior? Jun 27, 2017

Show notes

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick has been ousted from the company he created. Was this the best way to address the negatives of a highly creative entrepreneur? "Serial entrepreneur" Z Holly and another controversial business leader -- American Apparel's Dov Charney - weigh in.

The $1.2 billion Wilshire Grand finally set to open Jun 22, 2017

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The tallest building west of the Mississippi River will officially open for business on Friday. The Wilshire Grand Center has been years in the making. It rises 73 stories, or 1,100 feet with its spire at the top, and includes a near-900 room InterContinental Hotel. And its architecture tells the story of a changing Los Angeles.

Fire safety in towers, artists and developers, PetSpace Jun 20, 2017

Show notes

London's Grenfell Tower fire shows what can go wrong when a high rise building is not designed or retrofitted in accordance with fire and safety needs. Are artists the victims or perpetrators of gentrification? A downtown luxury apartment building will have an "artist-in-residence." Plus, the new private animal shelter PetSpace offers a high-design venue for adopting your new four-legged friend.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Los Angeles gems Jun 15, 2017

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Celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright was born 150 years ago last week, and the anniversary has been recognized with events and exhibitions. His style of “organic architecture" can be seen in his Los Angeles houses, including the Hollyhock House in Barnsdall Park. Why does this architect still tower in the public imagination?

Trump's American idea, LACMA's expansion, the idea of home Jun 13, 2017

Show notes

The Trump Organization plans a new hotel chain called American Idea, inspired by the family's experiences on the campaign trail. So how do they brand "American Idea" and steer clear of perceived conflicts? And, LACMA is planning a move into South LA. Find out how it connects to its proposed makeover of Miracle Mile. Meanwhile, Latin American artists at LACMA take on the idea of home -- and find it has emotional and political meaning.

LACMA wants to expand into South LA Jun 07, 2017

Show notes

LACMA wants to turn a defunct MTA facility in South LA into a new space for exhibitions, educational programming and art storage. What would this mean for the neighboring community, and for LACMA's other major project: to renovate its main campus on Wilshire Boulevard?

Securing Public Spaces, Super Wealthy Asians Jun 06, 2017

Show notes

Vehicles are increasingly being used as weapons, as seen in the London Bridge attack over the weekend and in New York’s Times Square last month. The Compton-based company Calpipe is designing security bollards to help make public spaces safer. And novelist Kevin Kwan satirizes the “crazy rich” Asian jet set and their luxurious tastes in his latest book, “Rich People Problems.”

Can driverless cars solve our traffic woes? Jun 01, 2017

Show notes

Driverless cars are being touted as the future of mobility. But we’re seeing some bumps in the road. A high-profile arrangement between the city of Pittsburgh and the ride hailing company Uber to test their autonomous vehicles appears to have fallen apart. What does this mean for driverless cars in LA and elsewhere?

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