WHA Los Angeles – Celebrating One Year

This month we celebrate the one year anniversary of WHA, Los Angeles. Led by Rick Aiken, Senior Principal of our Urban Studio, WHA.LA enables us to most effectively service our growing client base in the greater Los Angeles area.

Several new projects are in progress at WHA.LA including Spark at Midtown in Long Beach, Newhall Crossings in Santa Clarita and a veterans’ housing development in Ventura. Also on-the-boards is the Reseda Theater, a mixed-use development including the historic restoration of the Reseda Theater into a Laemmle Theater with new retail and affordable housing.

Another WHA.LA project, currently under construction, is the Norwood Learning Village, an affordable residential project. It is designed with 2- and 3-story residential components over a concealed subterranean concrete podium, dovetailing aesthetically with the adjacent single-family neighborhood. We are looking forward to its completion this fall.

Rick Aiken, Jay Kocourek, Caitlin Jorgensen and Judy Vega are active members of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. Caitlin and Judy are also involved in the Chamber of Commerce Youth Chapter focusing on building relationships with other young professionals in the industry. At the recent Building a Better Long Beach: An Update on Development in Long Beach with Mayor Robert Garcia, two WHA.LA affordable housing developments in the heart of downtown were highlighted.

We will also be participating in CANstruction, a charity event showcasing structures made out of canned goods. At the end of the event, all food is donated to local hunger relief organizations. We will be partnering with Brascia Builders to design and build the CANstructure. The exhibit will be on display at the Landmark Square Building Lobby,111 West Ocean Boulevard, Downtown Long Beach between September 21st and October 1st.

Rounding out our first year, two of our architects transferred to WHA.LA this week, Principal Mark Rohling and Project Manager Stephanie Haering. We are excited to have them on board!

We are constantly challenging ourselves to create an environment to foster collaboration and communication, pushing ourselves to grow professionally and creatively. It’s been a great year for WHA. Let’s celebrate!