Fireside Chat

Exploring How Design Has The Power to Address Urgent Challenges & Make a Positive Impact on People’s Lives

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  Andy Cohen

  Andy Cohen is Global Co-Chair of Gensler, the world’s leading architecture and design firm. He served as Co-CEO with Diane Hoskins for 20 years and has spent his entire 43-year career at the company. Under Andy’s strategic guidance, Gensler has organically grown to become the most influential and admired practice in the industry, recognized by Fast Company as number 6 on its list of “Most Innovative Companies 2024” and number 1 in urban development and real estate. The firm’s 6000 global team members in 55 offices partner with clients in more than 100 countries each year, leveraging creativity, innovation, and research to solve complex problems and create lasting positive impact.

  Gensler

  Global Co-Chair

  Andy Cohen

  Global Co-Chair

  Gensler

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  Lew Horne

  Lewis C. Horne is President for Advisory Services for CBRE’s Greater Los Angeles, Orange County and Inland Empire region. In this role, Mr. Horne leads the strategic direction and performance of the firm’s Advisory Services business, which includes Advisory & Transaction Services, Asset Services, Capital Markets, Local Project Management and Valuations. Mr. Horne is passionate about collaboration and actively promotes the integration of multiple disciplines to ensure well-conceived, strategic solutions for complex client assignments. This passion led him to becoming an early adopter and champion for workplace transformation, including Workplace Strategy, Experience Consulting, Change Management and Occupancy Management. Mr. Horne is an active and well-respected leader in the Greater Los Angeles community, regularly lending his voice, experience, and time to help create meaningful solutions for a wide variety of business and social issues, including the complex challenges regarding the homelessness crisis. Prior to his current role, Mr. Horne held a variety of leadership positions at the company after his start as an industrial brokerage professional in 1984 and successfully growing his career at CBRE for more than 30 years.

  CBRE

  President - Greater LA, Orange County & Inland Empire

  Moderator

  Lew Horne

  President - Greater LA, Orange County & Inland Empire

  CBRE

Innovations in Design & Technology

Implementing Amenities To Attract Tenants And AI Influence

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  Peter Garofalo

  As Senior Vice President of Design for Related California, Mr. Garofalo is responsible for the management of the architecture and interior design for Related's market rate and mixed-income developments in California. His direct involvement in all aspects of the building process includes directing architects, interior designers and engineers through each phase of construction to ensure that the completed work is true to the project's design intent. Since joining Related California in 2014, Mr. Garofalo has been directly responsible for the design oversight and completion of numerous developments, including 1550 Mission, 49 South Van Ness, and Mason on Mariposa in San Francisco. Prior to Related California, Mr. Garofalo was an Associate at Related Companies in New York where he was involved with One Hill South in Washington, D.C. and Hunter's Point South in New York. As an Associate at the world-renowned design firm, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, his work included 220 Central Park South in New York, Arris at The Yards in Washington, D.C., and The Century in Los Angeles. Mr. Garofalo holds a bachelor's degree in Architecture with a minor in History of Art from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a current member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a registered architect in New York State.

  Related California

  SVP, Design

  Peter Garofalo

  SVP, Design

  Related California

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  Ben Stapleton

  A native Angeleno, Ben Stapleton is a recognized sustainability leader, who brings to this position extensive experience and connections across real estate, technology and innovation. He launched and managed the La Kretz Innovation Campus in Downtown Los Angeles, most recently serving as SVP, Operations & Finance for the LA Cleantech Incubator (LACI). The Campus has become an epicenter for sustainability in the region featuring events with prominent local, national and international leaders, while being home to a community of cutting-edge businesses and nonprofits. At LACI, Stapleton led major operational growth, program development, and partnerships to triple revenue for the non-profit. Simultaneously, he helped lead efforts that resulted in the La Kretz Innovation Campus becoming an iconic green building for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the City of Los Angeles, with multiple certifications, as well as pilot projects targeting waste, water, and energy efficiency. Stapleton has also held the positions of Managing Director of the LA Better Buildings Challenge and Vice President & Cleantech Practice Group Lead at JLL. He has served on the boards of LA Bioscience Hub and USGBC-LA. Representing competing schools in Los Angeles, Stapleton holds a MBA from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

  U.S. Green Building Council, California

  Executive Director

  Ben Stapleton

  Executive Director

  U.S. Green Building Council, California

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  Chris Lyon

  Christopher Lyon, the President of our company, is an avid learner – it’s his passion. “Learning inspires me both professionally, and personally. Personal growth, while not always easy or comfortable, adds vibrancy to life. It’s also a passion I try to share – in an alternate universe, I’d be a high school chemistry teacher.” Christopher enjoys working on vintage cars, usually around his age (we’ll skip that part) and finds the focus relaxing. He says, “The concentration required to fix them means I don’t think about much else.” He doesn’t take himself too seriously, likes to laugh and has a very positive outlook. Funny thing about Christopher is that he feels like he was “born a hundred years too late – my favorite foods are salty, pickled, or smoked. It was the only kind of food you could get prior to the advent of the refrigerator.” Tournesol is lucky to have Christopher as our president – we’re in this together!

  Tournesol Siteworks

  President

  Chris Lyon

  President

  Tournesol Siteworks

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  Steve Spitzer

  Monterey Lighting Solutions is a full-service lighting solutions company representing hundreds of manufacturers and serving a diverse customer base. Our clients include large-scale property managers/owners, construction managers, design build contractors, architects, lighting designers, electricians and retrofit contractors.

  Monterey Lighting Solutions

  Principal

  Moderator

  Steve Spitzer

  Principal

  Monterey Lighting Solutions

Ensuring Health, Wellness & Safety

Focusing On ESG, Sustainability & Designing For All Users And Communities

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  Ben Feldmann, PLA, LEED AP

  Principal

  Studio-MLA

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  McShane Murnane

  McShane Murnane co-founded Studio Murnane on the belief that design shapes how we experience the world. With over 25 years in architecture, he curates environments that support the human need for connection and inspiration in a variety of building types, ranging from mixed-use, hospitality, retail, and workspace to residential and multi-family. His designs in the wellness space (Clover, Pause Studio), retail (Paso Market Walk, HiLo), hospitality (Salted Pig, Salazar, Lucile House, Villa Carlotta), and signature hillside residences have garnered multiple AIA awards, and been featured in the pages and on the covers of publications like Forbes, Domino, House Beautiful, Clever, CA Home & Design, Design Milk, and Dezeen. Prior to coming to Los Angeles to open Studio Murnane, he worked in both France and Chicago.

  Studio Murnane

  Principal

  McShane Murnane

  Principal

  Studio Murnane

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  Matt Melnyk

  Principal

  Nous Engineering

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  Joe Fitzpatrick

  With an education in architecture and business management, a background in project management, decades of experience in creative design, strategy for companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500, and a passion for all things architecture and design, Joe serves as a consultant/advisor to architects, owners, and contractors all seeking expertise in achieving their architectural design visions through advanced manufacturers and cutting-edge solutions providers.

  Architype

  EVP

  Joe Fitzpatrick

  EVP

  Architype

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  Dave Intner

  Dave Intner a California licensed Architect, currently working for Southern California Edison as an Energy Efficiency Advisor in the Savings by Design program, collaborating with Architect and Engineer teams to incorporate High Performance design into their New Construction projects. His architectural design and project management experience ranges from small-scale residential to large multifamily developments, and commercial & institutional buildings. Dave has been the LEED Project Team Administrator for several projects, including a LEED NC 2.2 Gold Certified office building in Santa Monica and a LEED CI 2009 Medical Clinic (also Gold certified). Through his work with the local (C4) Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, and now through Southern Califonia Edison's Energy Education Centers, Dave has taught seminars about the LEED rating system and high-performance building design since 2003. He is also a certified Green Home Rater through Build it Green's GreenPoint rated program, having designed several multifamily developments to the standard and performed field verifications on a pair of single-family residences. Dave helped found the USGBC's California Central Coast Chapter (C4), serving as a Regional Chair for its first two years. As Regional Chair, he oversaw and coordinated the on-the-ground operations for Ventura County. During this tenure, he spearheaded the "BuildSMART" Sustainable Materials and Resources Trailer, a mobile learning exhibit which travels to local schools and events to educate about Green Building concepts and strategies. He continues to coordinate the Education programs within the Ventura branch. Dave is a member of USGBC's LEED EA-TAG, and currently serves as the Board President for the AIA Ventura County Chapter.

  Southern California Edison

  Architect & Senior Advisor

  Dave Intner

  Architect & Senior Advisor

  Southern California Edison

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  John Bringenberg

  John Bringenberg serves as an Outreach Specialist at Willdan, collaborating with architects and developers to facilitate project enrollment in the Energy Design Assistance programs across major California utilities. That complimentary program saves energy on new construction projects that will exist for 50, 75 years or longer - helping mitigate climate crisis while delivering significant 5- and 6-digit incentives to the project developers. He has dedicated his career to renewable energy, corporate development, understanding of energy markets, Distributed Energy Resources, renewable policy, and corporate sustainability. Along with his sustainability knowledge, John serves as a subject matter expert and lead author on PACE Financing. Beyond his role at Willdan, John spearheads a non-profit organization focused on promoting sustainable building practices and advocating for sound climate policies.

  Willdan

  Outreach Specialist

  Moderator

  John Bringenberg

  Outreach Specialist

  Willdan

Designing For LA's Future & Political Needs

Policy Changes, Regulatory Reforms, Pressures From The City & Diversifying Los Angeles' Economy

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  Ryan Lovett

  Ryan Lovett is an interdisciplinary architect, planner and urbanist dedicated to improving the built and natural environments. Ryan serves as Head of Design of the Americas at Lendlease, a global real estate development, construction and investment management company. Ryan works across the multi-billion dollar Lendlease portfolio, providing strategic planning and design expertise with an focus on innovation, sustainability, technology and placemaking. He has helped shape a number of next-generation mixed-use projects under development and construction, including 1 Java, an 850-unit residential development in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Hayes Point, a mixed -use office and residential tower in downtown San Franicsco, 3401 South La Cienega, a 3.5 acre transit-oriented development in Culver City as well as 60 Guest Street, a 375,000 sf life science building in Boston, MA. Prior to joining Lendlease, Ryan was the Director of Urban Design & Development at SHoP Architects, the globally renowned architecture firm based in New York City, where he led the firm’s large-scale projects. During his tenure, Ryan deployed his background in design, planning, and real estate to become an emerging industry leader in the creation of innovative urban master plans. He managed the creation and adoption of a range of mixed-use projects from coast-to-coast across the US, including Rice University’s 3M SF, 16-acre Ion District in Houston, Tex and the 22-acre, 8.7M SF Schuylkill Yards master plan in Philadelphia. Ryan also contributed to the design of some of the most recognizable projects across the world, including the Collins Arch in Melbourne, Australia and 111 W 57th St in New York City. Prior to working at SHoP, Ryan established a reputation as an internationally recognized urbanist, where his independent work has been cited in such publications as the New York Times, LA Times, Architect’s Newspaper, Architecture Magazine, among other publications. He has also held a teaching fellowship at Columbia University, contributed to Autodesk’s BIM Curriculum, and was a member of the Columbia Building Intelligence Project. Ryan holds a Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Real Estate Development from the Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation where he received an Honor Award for Excellence in Design and the 2012 AIA Heritage Ball Scholarship. He also holds a B.A. in Architecture and Ecological Design with High Honors from the University of California Berkeley where he was awarded the Raymond L. Watson Prize and the Alpha Rho Chi award. He is a member of the American Planning Association, American Institute of Architects and Urban Land Institute.

  Lendlease

  Head of Design, Americas

  Ryan Lovett

  Head of Design, Americas

  Lendlease

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  Sam Pepper

  Sam Pepper is responsible for office and mixed-use projects, leading large project teams and overseeing all aspects from entitlements and pre-development through construction. With over 12 years of commercial real estate experience, Sam has established diverse expertise in architecture, project management, leasing, development, entitlements, portfolio strategy and acquisitions. Throughout his career, Sam has played a crucial role in many notable Projects such as Pier 17, a premier entertainment destination in Manhattan, 550 State Street, New York’s first all-electric skyscraper and the Westside Pavilion in Westwood. Sam received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The University of Virginia, a Master of Real Estate Development from MIT and is a Licensed Architect. Since September 2023, Sam has hosted Building LA, a bi-weekly podcast focusing on the buildings and projects shaping Los Angeles, featuring interviews with the key individuals driving them forward.

  Lincoln Property Company

  VP, Development

  Sam Pepper

  VP, Development

  Lincoln Property Company

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  Martin Berneman

  Martin is the Construction & Design Officer of Golden Bee Properties, leading the design of the company's development projects from pre-development stages to finishing touches, conducting visits of active construction sites, communicating the company's vision to subcontractors, strategizing the design of unit turnovers, as well as creating and monitoring construction budgets.

  Golden Bee Properties

  Construction & Design Officer

  Martin Berneman

  Construction & Design Officer

  Golden Bee Properties

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  Greg Verabian

  Greg Verabian, AIA is a Partner at HKS. He is Design Director and Practice Leader at HKS Los Angeles with knowledge of building types from commercial and multi-family/mixed-use towers to corporate HQs and laboratories. Greg was Chair of the Design Awards Committee for AIA California and the AIA Los Angeles, past Treasurer, Vice President and the 2020 Board President of AIA/LA.

  HKS

  Partner

  Greg Verabian

  Partner

  HKS

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  Joey Shimoda

  Since establishing his own studio, Shimoda Design Group, in 1999, his work has been consistently published and award-winning, and the product thus far indicates even greater promise for the future. Joey earned his bachelor of architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in 1988. After graduation Joey worked in several notable studios around Los Angeles, including Morphosis, Frank O. Gehry, Marmol + Radziner, Johannes Von Tilburg and Partners, Keating Mann Jernigan Rottet, and DMJM Design. He also spent time in Europe working for Peter Wilson of the Buros von Bolles + Wilson. The Shimoda Design Group has a core staff of six and currently has projects underway in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Phoenix. Joey has taught at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and continues to participate in symposia and student reviews at USC, UCLA, SCI-Arc, Art Center College of Design, and Woodbury University. He is also an appointed Commissioner for the City of Los Angeles Affordable Housing Commission.

  Shimoda Design Group

  Co-Founder

  Joey Shimoda

  Co-Founder

  Shimoda Design Group

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  Mark Motonaga

  Mark Motonaga joined RIOS in 2009, and has played a significant leadership role in the firm’s ongoing evolution. Mark’s extensive experience in the disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design enable him to manage not only complex projects, but also the daily operations of our staff. It’s fitting that Mark goes by the nickname “Moto;” he is the engine that keeps things humming around the office. Mark has served as project manager and designer on projects ranging from highly detailed residential properties to large-scale urban developments. His interest is in understanding the underlying cultural currents of a site, to create bold, distinct designs that reveal the story that defines a place. Mark received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California. He earned his Master of Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, where he focused on ecological planning and its relationship to culture. Select projects Mark has worked on include NBC Universal Evolution Plan, Universal Cineplex Plaza, Wilshire Grand, Act 4 Entertainment, Telephone Building, Pop Zoo, and Bergamot Station Arts Center.

  RIOS

  Creative Director and Partner

  Mark Motonaga

  Creative Director and Partner

  RIOS

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  Shawn Gehle

  Shawn Gehle is a renowned design and thought leader, celebrated for fostering curiosity and collaboration. Committed to a design philosophy that balances unexpected ideas with meticulous craft, his diverse experience includes award-winning work for technology, creative workplace, education, and mixed-use clients. Shawn is an alum of the TED speaker series, where he shared his pre-COVID, published work on the lifecycle and mounting potential of repurposing office buildings. Additionally, he co-authored a three-year research project with UCLA CityLAB on the Future of Work, and served on the Board of Directors of the A+D Architecture and Design Museum in Los Angeles until early 2019. His work has garnered recognition from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and has been featured in numerous publications and design journals.Previously, Shawn founded the Los Angeles design studio of BNIM Architects, serving as the Founding Principal. Before BNIM, he spent nearly a decade with Gensler Los Angeles as a Design Principal, collaborating closely with OFFICEUNTITLED (OU) co-founders Benjamin Anderson, Christian Robert, and OU’s COO Lindsay Green.

  OFFICEUNTITLED

  Co-Founder & Principal

  Moderator

  Shawn Gehle

  Co-Founder & Principal

  OFFICEUNTITLED