Julie Eizenberg
Koning Eizenberg Architecture, Santa Monica
Informal Relationships:  A Framework for Sustainability.
April 7, Wednesday

Julie Eizenberg is recognized for her expertise working with cities, non-profit agencies, educational institutions and private developers to generate inventive master plans, public places and architecture rooted in social and environmental sustainability. One of the principal founders of Santa-Monica based firm, Julie is a licensed architect in California, holding a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Architecture II degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Founded in 1981, her firm Koning Eizenberg Architecture had its roots in affordable housing and small design/build projects. The underlying philosophy that architecture is an opportunity to reassess simple pleasures, to extract innovative opportunities from extraordinary parameters, and to envision relaxed environments supportive of the user’s experience continues to guide her work and practice.

The Koning Eizenberg team is well known for its contribution to under-recognized project types including historic commercial rehabilitation, educational facilities, community places, recreational spaces and affordable housing. The firm has consistently demonstrated an ability to infuse mainstream construction culture with strategic design invention that parlays sustainability and amenity into groundbreaking community projects. The success of this work has raised public expectations and also reinvigorated architects’ interest in everyday projects and socially responsible programs.

The office is also known for its particular construction inventiveness that operates within mainstream construction culture - a culture favoring the standard and the tight budget over invention. As guiding principles, function is never sacrificed for delight and design strength is gained by addressing amenity. Invention is often achieved by translating standard practices in one building type to another. As architecture is truly a team effort, the firm puts significant effort into communicating with subcontractors and fabricators to optimize resolution.

Diverse in its appeal, Koning Eizenberg’s work has been featured in professional as well as general interest publications in the United States and abroad. Additionally, the firm’s design philosophy is the subject of Julie’s 2006 monograph “Architecture Isn’t Just for Special Occasions,” which addresses key values for architecture - engendering trust to communicate, creating ease to empower, and elevating the idea of “fit” beyond conformity, to generate the extraordinary. Over sixty design awards and several successful national competitions have recognized Julie and her firm’s work, also exhibited at the National Building Museum and internationally at the 2008 Venice Biennale.

Julie has lectured widely and served as a visiting critic at many Universities in the United States, including the Syracuse University School of Architecture, University of Kansas School of Architecture, and the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She has also served as the Thomas Jefferson Visiting Professor of Architecture at the University Of Virginia School Of Architecture, and as the Bishop Visiting Professor at Yale University.  Additionally, she has been active on the Board of Directors of both the AIA Los Angeles chapter and Public Architecture.

Each lecture will take place at Falvey Hall at Brown Center, Maryland Institute College of Art, 1301 W. Mount Royal Avenue and will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception to follow. 1.5 AIA/CES (HSW) with registration. Save time and money by purchasing tickets through the AIABaltimore office.
Series tickets (4 lectures) are $30/AIA, BAF, BH and ASLA members; $45/public; $15 individually at the door as space permits.

Additional Information at http://www.aiabalt.com