#392 - BARBARA BESTOR, Principal and Founder of Bestor ArchitectureEmbedEdit
SUMMARY
This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design are joined by Architect Barbara Bestor, principal and founder of Bestor Architecture to discuss her background; early introduction to the field; education and transition into professional practice; a pivotal moment solidified her design approach; the importance of layering, design concept and conceptual thinking; and more. Enjoy!
ABOUT BARBARA
Bestor Architecture is based in Los Angeles and was founded by Barbara Bestor, FAIA in 1995. Bestor’s Los Angeles-based studio is recognized for the inventive integration of architecture, urbanism, infrastructure, and landscape at multiple scales. Bestor Architecture has designed a number of award-winning projects including headquarters for Beats by Dre and Snap, Blackbirds, a new small lot housing development in Echo Park, and a variety of experimental residences and commercial establishments. The varied, creative, and aesthetically progressive body of work expands the territory of architecture into atmospheric urbanism. Recent projects include the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which creates a vibrant musical haven by inserting an internal urban village within the shell of a classic Hollywood warehouse, Ashes & Diamonds, a new winery and event center in Napa, and headquarters for multiple high-tech firms.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Background.
(05:44) Introduction to architecture.
(12:23) Studying at the AA.
(14:35) Balancing teaching with practice.
“In general, the teaching thing has to do with how the academy treats it too. You want people who are working and teaching, which I do think is a really good ethos… I’m not super pumped about the people who are only teaching… And I think it's tricky because a couple generations of that, you get pretty far away from the built environment aspect.” (21:44)
(24:51) Returning to teaching.
“What I like about being an architect and why I really like clients, too, is I just love that sort of creative… So getting an interesting problem set together and then figuring out a way to do it. I think that's just very exciting.” (28:54)
(32:15) Change in approach.
“I still think that conceptual framework is the most important thing for your project to have any discursive possibilities. But I think the conceptual framework doesn't come with a vocabulary of architecture. I think they're separate.” (41:34)
(46:48) Different layers of projects.
(55:59) Different project types.
“You don’t want to get stuck in this thing. Otherwise, suddenly it's a day job… So it keeps your mind going and excitement about learning. It's just fun. I mean, I actually like waterproofing… I like the responsibility that comes with being an architect.” (01:01:48)
(01:08:14) Favorite building.
