EP.02 / Ryan Lovett, Lendlease on 3401 South La Cienega
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SITUATED ADJACENT TO THE LA CIENEGA / JEFFERSON LIGHT RAIL STATION ON A 3.5 ACRE SITE, THIS PROJECT INCLUDES A 260-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR RETAIL AND A 250,000 SF OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTED OF CARBON SEQUESTERING MASS TIMBER.
In this episode, Ryan Lovett, the Head of Design for the Americas at Lendlease, joins me to discuss his project at 3401 South La Cienega. The project showcases the exciting potential for future development at the intersection of urbanism and architecture. We dive into Ryan’s background in architecture, the key individuals that inspired him along the way, and his job responsibilities at Lendlease. We also touch on his perspective on key issues affecting Angelenos such as the LA metro, integrating business and real estate education into architectural education, and the housing shortages.
The project is located around the La Cienega/Jefferson metro station. It aims to transform an industrial area into an attractive mixed-use space incorporating affordable apartments, offices, and retail spaces. We unpack the complexities of navigating the Density Bonus incentive, public transportation, and the delicate balance between progress and community concerns.
When asked about the future of architecture, Ryan contemplates the potential impact of automation and AI on development. By prioritizing client collaboration, creative problem-solving, and asking the right questions, Ryan remains optimistic that we can shape the future in innovative ways.
About 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, where he works across the multi-billion dollar Lendlease portfolio, providing strategic planning and design expertise with a 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, a 850-unit residential development in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Hayes Point, a mixed-use tower in downtown San Francisco, 3401 South La Cienega, a 3.5 acre transit-oriented development in Culver City as well as 60 Guest, 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 Columbia University, 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 UC 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.
Connect with Ryan
Learn more about Lendlease
Topics Covered
LA's influence on Ryan's career trajectory
The importance of maintaining relationships with mentors
Importance of a broad education and being exposed to many concepts
Debunking the myth of individual genius in architecture
Automation and AI
Unpacking Ryan's role at LendLease
3401 South La Cienega and its impact on Culver City's landscape
Ryan's vision for the future of the area
Rethinking transportation solutions in LA beyond conventional approaches
The unique challenge of coordinating all of LA's jurisdictions
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