EP.01 / James Woolum FAIA, ZGF on the Cal State LA Student Services Building
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Originally built in 1972, the building was left damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake and sat vacant for nearly 20 years until ZGF was tasked with renovating it. Cal State LA initially asked for the 50-year-old structure to be converted into swing space while a new building was being constructed. But ZGF had a different vision.
In this episode, I'm joined by James Woolum FAIA, partner at ZGF Architects, to discuss the design of the California State LA Student Services Building. This design encapsulates the core values of sustainability, community, and accessibility, which will leave you optimistic about the potential of architecture to shape a better world. Throughout our conversation, James reminds us to leave something better than we found it, which is something we should employ in every venture.
Due to damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the building was abandoned for years. ZGF Architects saw an opportunity to transform the building into the heart of the campus, housing both essential student services and the university president's office. We discuss how the building's design fosters a sense of community, connection, and transparency, making it a welcoming and accessible space for students of all backgrounds. James shares insights into the thought process behind the project and the collaboration between ZGF and Cal State LA. We also touch on the importance of sustainable practices, adaptive reuse, and holistic design solutions.
James prioritizes education and highlights the role of architecture schools in preparing future architects for real-world challenges. He offers advice to young architects, examines the broader implications of the architectural profession, and emphasizes the need for greater diversity in the field to inspire a more inclusive and innovative future for architecture.
About James Woolum FAIA, IIDA
Operating with the conviction that good design must have value beyond the immediate visual appeal of form and materiality, James is inspired by a diverse range of influences - from classic modernism and mid-century design, to pop culture, iconic artists and artworks, my signature black ‘fits and Prada high-tops, to a beautifully crafted cocktail.
With nearly 30 years of experience designing education, healthcare, research, and corporate environments, his work is driven by a series of simple guiding principles including listening to learn, being adaptable and nimble, innovative and entrepreneurial. Constantly asking "what's the Big Idea?", he approaches every project hand-in-hand with his clients and collaborators. Through rigorous investigation James strives to achieve unique, highly personal and intentional solutions.
Notable corporate projects include the Spruce Goose adaptive reuse and interior design for Google in Playa Vista and the expansion of Google’s presence in Los Angeles with a new, landmark adaptive re-use project within a defunct shopping mall. In New York, projects include client and staff engagement spaces for Viacom, a new Corporate Center and global headquarters for Citigroup in lower Manhattan, and the new corporate headquarters for iconic American brand Publishers Clearing House in suburban Long Island; in the DC metro area, the new mid-Atlantic district office for long-time collaborators Hensel Phelps Construction; in Los Angles, an innovative workplace strategy and redesign for the team leading facilities, design, and construction projects at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Projects in science and research have included medical and academic research buildings for the University of Arizona, University of Texas, Cornell, The Ohio State University, and the University of California. Projects in health & wellness have included new children's hospitals in Los Angeles and Dallas, an innovative medical behavioral health unit at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and a progressive primary care and new cancer infusion center, both for Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. A new women’s and children’s tower is currently in construction for UHS in San Antonio, TX, and a state-of-the-art outpatient cancer center for City of Hope has kept him busy for the last few years.
Projects in education and culture have included academic libraries for the Orchard School in San Jose, CA as well as the Advanced Media Studio and Academic Technology Center for NYU in New York.
Connect with James
Learn more about ZGF
Topics Covered
Cal State's original vision for the Student Services Building project and how ZGF's involvement shifted the direction
Renovation with a focus on adaptive reuse, transformative design, and sustainable standards
The building's history and the challenges posed by earthquakes
The inclusive and non-hierarchical nature of the building's design
ZGF's team structure and James' architectural priorities
Benefits of working with willing and optimistic clients
The industry's responsibility to make architecture more accessible
What excites James about being an architect in Los Angeles
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Learn more about California State University, Los Angeles, Student Services Building
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