In episode 3 of the XX|LA Architects Podcast, I speak with Barbara Flammang, partner at Killefer Flammang Architects. KFA was named the 2016 AIACC Firm of the Year, an award bestowed in recognition of the firm’s humanitarian work and their thriving company culture. Barbara shares her journey starting in 1980 with KFA, and how she and her husband Wade built an award-winning, equitable company that currently employs 66 people in Santa Monica. Barbara speaks about the importance of relationships, trust, and hard work, and how she and Wade were able to build a successful company while also having a family together. She shares how they got their first projects, and talks frankly about the ups and downs of business, including how they survived multiple recessions.
In the second episode of the XX|LA Architects Podcast, I speak with Pooja Bhagat, Architect for the City of Santa Monica** and Chair of the Women in Architecture (WiA) Committee at AIA|LA. In this episode, Pooja tells us about the upcoming Powerful IV Conference, and how we can encourage equity in the profession. We discuss her interest in place-making, as seen in the Ocean Avenue South and Santa Monica Village projects she worked on at Moore Ruble Yudell. We even get personal speaking about her unique perspective as a parent and an immigrant, and how that has strengthened her abilities as an architect.
Welcome to the very first episode of the XX|LA Architects Podcast! I am so excited about this interview with Laura O’Neill, Senior Architectural Historian at GPA Consulting and Chair of the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission.
In this episode, Laura gives us insight into what it’s like to be an architectural historian and public figure, and her strategies for interfacing with clients and the public. In addition, she discusses her management style and ways her company promotes a healthy live-work balance, and gives us career advice about burn-out and motivation. During this episode, she mentions one of her favorite projects, the Temple Art Lofts in Vallejo. Her other all-time favorite project is the Hughes Industrial Historic District in Playa Vista.
I’d love to hear your comments about this episode, or feedback about what you want to hear in future episodes. Reach out via social media, email or the hotline at (213) 631-2129.
