Press + Awards + Presentations
“Groundbreakers: LA-Más is building a more equitable Los Angeles.” in Curbed.
Selected Press
2021
“Los Angeles launches bold new ADU program to combat housing shortage” Architect’s Newspaper, 9 March 2021
“L.A. is making the process of building backyard homes faster with new, pre-approved designs” KTLA 5, 6 March 2021
“Well-designed rentals L.A. can afford. That’s the mission of the Backyard Homes Project” LA Times, 5 March 2021
2020
“LA Más pivots to direct aid in its own backyard” Architect’s Newspaper, 4 September 2020
“The Eater LA Guide on How to Help” Eater LA, 11 August 2020
“Meet Alexandra (Alex) Ramirez of LA Más in Elysian Valley (Frogtown)” Voyage LA, 1 July 2020
“How This Women-Led Nonprofit Is Assisting COVID-19-Affected Families In Los Angeles” Forbes, 28 June 2020
“What It’s Like to Be a Neighbor Right Now” Curbed, 23 June 2020
"LA-Más Applies Design and Project Management Skills Toward “Co-Mutual, Co-Beneficial Support” in the Face of COVID-19” Archinect, 23 April 20
Log 48: Expanding Modes of Practice Log, 17 March 2020
“Should you buy a home in LA in 2020” Curbed, 11 March 2020
“How Mayors and Design Leaders View the Coming Decade” Common Edge, 8 March 2020
“Urban Planners and Architects Unite to Fight Homelessness” Neighbor2Neighbor, 31 January 2020
2019
“Helen Leung and Elizabeth Timme on How to Build More Backyard Homes and Help Low Income Tenants” Next City, 2 December 2019
“Give to the Non-profits of Northeast Los Angeles” Boulevard Sentinel, 29 November 2019
“Los Angeles is at a crossroads–don’t let it become New York” The Architect’s Newspaper, 13 November 2019
“Perspective: How to make accessory dwelling units affordable” Accessory Dwellings, 06 November 2019
“Living Más” AN Interior, 31 October 2019
“L.A.-Based LA-Más is Helping Underserved Communities Through Policy and Design” Contract, 18 October 2019
“Empty Garages: The Answer top California’s Housing Shortage?” New York Times, 15 October 2019
Fast-Tracked: A Tactical Transit Study The Street Plans Collaborative, 10 September, 2019
“Saturday Selects - Week of September 2, 2019” Sight Unseen, 08 September 2019
“A Small City Famous for Architecture Rolls Out the Welcome Mat” CityLab, 03 September 2019
“Here’s Why You Need to Visit Columbus, Indiana This Year” Dwell, 29 August 2019
“Exhibit Columbus 2019 Explores Architecture and Community in Indiana” Wallpaper, 28 August 2019
“Is the Answer to LA’s Housing Crisis in Your Backyard?” LAist, 8 August 2019
“Can ADUs Look Great and Solve the Housing Crisis? A Pilot Project has Some Answers.” KCRW, 30 July 2019
“Barron of Frogtown: Watching L.A. Change With “The Willa Wonky of Rusted Metal”” Capital & Main, 17 July 2019
“Saying Yes to Affordable Housing in LA’s Backyards: Q&A with Helen Leung” LISC , 8 July 2019
“Local Art Agency Distributes Grants” The Republic, 30 June 2019
“The L.A. Design Festival Spotlights the Architectural Possibilities of ADUs” Design Milk, 28 June 2019
“How Different Can a Stool by Snøhetta and The Archers be? Thanks to Hem, We Just Found Out” Architectural Digest, 21 June 2019
“Backyard Homes Project Promises to Help LA’s Affordable Housing Crisis” Spectrum News 1, 12 June 2019
“Solving our Housing Crisis One ADU at a Time” NewCities, 6 June 2019
“Building the Future Together” NewCities, 6 June 2019
“Elizabeth Timme & Helen Leung: LA-Más, a Non-Profit Urban Design, Policy & Architecture Organization“ Midnight Charette, 4 June 2019
“Voices of L.A. Nature: Interview with Helen Leung” Natural History Museum, 31 May 2019
“Frank Gehry and Others Imagine a Grand Avenue that is a Destination for Everyone” LA Times, 22 May 2019
“New Project Aims to Finance Backyard Homes for Section 8 Tenants in Los Angeles” Next City, 7 May 2019
“A One-Stop Shop for Affordable Backyard Homes Advances in L.A.” CityLab, 1 May 2019
L.A.’s Green New Deal City of LA, Mayor’s Office, 30 April 2019
“New concepts: Exhibit Columbus announces Washington Street installations” The Republic, 12 April 2019
“Exhibit Columbus, Biennial Fest of Modern Architecture, Returns This Fall” Curbed, 9 April 2019
“Exhibit Columbus releases design commissions for Washington Street” WKKG, 5 April 2019
“Exhibit Columbus Unveils Washington Street Civic Projects” Inside INdiana Business, 5 April 2019
Backyard Housing Boom: New Markets for Affordable Housing and the Role of Digital Technology Technology | Architecture + Design, 26 March 2019
“Solving Homelessness with Backyard Homes” Larchmont Buzz, 26 February 2019
“Elizabeth Timme: Designing Alternatives For An Equitable L.A.” UCSB, 31 January 2019
“Meet Elizabeth Timme of LA-Más” Voyage LA, 15 January 2019
2018
“Helen Leung and Elizabeth Timme in Conversation with Lucy Navarro” Columbia GSAPP, 16 November 2018
“A Novel Solution for the Homeless: House them in the Backyards” New York Times, 29 October 2018
“Could ADUs help solve LA’s homelessness crisis?” Curbed, 29 October 2018
“Elizabeth Timme and Helen Leung” She Dynasty, 24 October 2018
"Whimsical Improvements make Western more Walkable" Curbed, 1 October 2018
"Get to Know Helen Leung" Boulevard Sentinel, 29 September 2018
“Architects Respond to Rising Interest in Accessory Dwellings” Architectural Record, 26 September 2018
"New Creatives - LA-Más" Architectural Digest, 18 September 2018
"One Answer to the Lack of Affordable Apartments Might Begin at Home" Washington Post, 13 September 2018
“Go Avenue 26” Take Shape, 31 August 2018
"Mind over Matter" KEXP, 30 August 2018
“AN picks the best of the fall’s East Coast architecture school lectures” Architect’s Newspaper, 27 August 2018
"There’s a Beautiful new Tribute to Jonathan Gold at Grand Central Market, one of his Favorite Haunts" Curbed, 27 August 2018
"L.A. Names Plaza After Late Times Food Critic Jonathan Gold" The Architect’s Newspaper, 27 August 2018
"What Could LA 2028 do for Los Angeles?" Curbed, 19 July 2018
"New Talent 2018: Nonprofit LA-Más Is Revitalizing Los Angeles’s Overlooked Corners" Metropolis, 11 July 2018
"Your Home can Have a Baby, and it's Called an ADU" KCRW, 3 July 2018
"This is Home in LA: From the Tent to the Gigamansion, (and Everything in Between)" KCRW, 3 July 2018
"Can the L.A. River be Restored Without Causing Gentrification?" GOOD, 27 June 2018
"A Journey Along the Shoals of a Gentrifying L.A. Neighborhood" The Christian Science Monitor, 21 June 2018
Assembly: Civic Design Guidelines Center for Active Design, 21 June 2018
"Who does LA River Development Benefit?" Commerical Observer, 15 June 2018
"Los Angeles Design Festival to Highlight City’s Design Chops this Weekend" The Architect's Newspaper, 8 June 2018
"Design as Civic Duty" The Architectural League NY, 4 May 2018
"How to Build a Rental Unit or Granny Flat in Your Backyard" Los Angeles Magazine, 12 April 2018
"L.A. County wants to help build guest houses in backyards — for homeless people" LA Times, 11 April 2018
"Helen Leung Argues ADUs Make a Positive Contribution in Combating CA's Housing Crisis" The Planning Report, 9 April 2018
"Los Angeles Plans To Find The Solution To Its Housing Crisis In Its Backyards" Fast Company, 9 April 2018
"On the Table: Dinner with Luis Aldrete and Helen Leung" The Architectural League NY, 9 April 2018
“California ADU Applications Skyrocket After Regulatory Reform” Curbed LA, 4 January 2018
2017
“Groundbreakers: LA-Más is building a more equitable Los Angeles.” Curbed. 15 November 2017.
“Great Streets Design Workshop for Western Ave. on Wednesday.” Larchmont Buzz. 7 November 2017.
"Vibrant, Pedestrian-friendly Streetscape Designs Unveiled in Lincoln Heights." Curbed LA, 28 August 2017.
“Lincoln Heights/Cypress Park: Improving First And Last Mile Access One Street At Time.” Investing In Place Blog, 24 August 2017.
"11 Women Who are Making L.A a Better Place." Los Angeles Magazine, 17 August 2017.
"LA County May Pursue Pilot Program to Spur Granny Flats." UrbanizeLA, 9 August 2017.
“Concept Houses Shown At A+D Museum's 'shelter' Exhibition.” Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2017.
“Why Do City Leaders Want To Keep La’s Streets Dangerous?” Curbed LA, 17 May 2017.
“Rethinking Streets in Los Angeles to be More People Centric.” KCET, 15 May 2017.
“L.A. Awards Great Streets and Vision Zero Grants.” StreetsBlogLA. 6 February 2017.
2016
“Is Los Angeles a Horizontal City?” KCET, 14 June 2016.
2015
“Sam Lubell and Danielle Rago Rethink How We Live in Los Angeles.” KCRW, 19 August 2015.
“Strategies for Shelter in L.A.” Form Magazine, 26 August 2015.
“The New A+D Museum’s First Exhibition Goes Big and Goes Home by Rethinking Housing in L.A.”
Los Angeles Magazine, 18 August 2015.
Annual Report Fiscal Year 2014-2015 LADOT, 20 June 2015
“The Fight for Frogtown.” Los Angeles Review of Books, 8 June 2015.
2014
“Meet Elizabeth Timme: L.A. Designer and Curved Young Gun.” Curbed LA, 3 December 2014.
Awards
2021
Fast Company, Most Innovative Companies 2021, Architecture Category. 2021
Most Innovative Companies 2021
2020
American Institute of Architects Los Angeles, Residential Architecture Award, Additions and Accessory Dwelling Units Category. 2020.
American Planning Association Los Angeles, Award of Excellence, Opportunity and Empowerment Category. 2020.
2019
Los Angeles Business Council (LABC), Architectural Design Award. 2019.
Design Concept: The Backyard Homes Project.
2018
Exhibit Columbus, Washington Street Civic Leader 2018-2019. 2018.
The Architectural League of NY, Emerging Voices 2018. 2018.
Architectural League of New York
2017
American Planning Association (APA) California Chapter, Award of Excellence. 2017.
Economic Planning and Development: Small Business Support Program (Wilmington).
Los Angeles Business Council (LABC), Architectural Design Award. 2017.
Design Concept: City of LA Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Pilot Project.
Presentations
2021
“Backyard Homes Project: ADU Teach-In & Celebration” | LA Más Webinar Series. Self-Hosted. (Chazandra Kern + Elizabeth Timme + Helen Leung + Linda Reyes.) Los Angeles, CA. Video
2020
“The Art of Northeast LA Community Response” | Frogtown Artwalk. Invited Speakers. (Linda Reyes + Chazandra Kern.) Los Angeles, CA.
“Designing and Building Initiatives that Promote Neighborhood Resilience” | Collective Impact. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA. Video
“Overcoming Barriers to Bringing Accessory Dwelling Unit Development to Scale” | Enterprise. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA. Video
“Market Rate Housing” | Housing Policy Leadership Academy. Panelist. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
“Deepening Roots: A Conversation with LA Más” | MIT CoLab. Invited Speakers. (Alexandra Ramirez + Linda Reyes.) Los Angeles, CA. Podcast
“Interview with Helen Leung and Elizabeth Timme” | PLAT Journal. Invited Speakers. (Helen Leung + Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA. Podcast
“A Multilayered City: Strategies for Community Development and Affordable Housing” | Architect’s Newspaper. Panelist. (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
“Urban Design and Planning” | LA Headquarters. Panelist. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
“Civic Leadership Program: Unpacking the Democracy of Design” | AIA NY. Panelist. (Chazandra Kern.) Los Angeles, CA.
“Northeast Los Angeles Community Response” | Big City Forum. Invited Speaker. (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
“The Backyard Homes Project” | Project. Creative Neighbors. Invited Speakers. (Chazandra Kern.) Los Angeles, CA.
“What Does LA Need to Build a Prosperous Future?” Coalitions + Charisma. Future of Cities. Panelist. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA
2019
“Facilitating the Development of ADUs for Affordable Housing” | Regional Affordable Housing Summit. Sacramento Housing Alliance. Panelist. (Linda Reyes.) Sacramento, CA.
“How to Build More Backyard Homes and Help Low-Income Tenants” | Solutions of the Year Series. NextCity. Invited Speakers. (Helen Leung + Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
“LA-Más” | Bernard Zimmerman Lecture Series. Cal Poly Pomona. Invited Speaker. (Elizabeth Timme.) Pomona, CA. https://env.cpp.edu/arc/lecture/bernard-zimmerman-lecture-series-elizabeth-timme-helen-leung-la-mas
“Accessory Dwelling Units” | Rubinger Fellowship Reflection. LISC. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA. Video
“Arts & Craft” | Creative EXPOnential Conference. Still Waters Collective. Panelist. (Helen Leung.) Milwaukee, WI. Video
“Beyond Tax Credits” | Getting to Scale. AIA LA + Molly Rysman. Panelist. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
“Is There an L.A. Sensibility? Place and Politics in Los Angeles Design” | 3rd LA: (Re)Designing LA. Occidental College. Panelists. (Helen Leung + Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
“Design+” | College of Design Lecture Series. University of Oregon. Invited Speakers. (Elizabeth Timme + Chazandra Kern.) Portland, Oregon.
“Avenues of Activism” | Avenues of Activism. AIGA Los Angeles. Panelist. (Abby Stone.) Culver City, CA.
“The Backyard Homes Project: An Affordable Housing Initiative” | Commercial Real Estate Women. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) St. Louis, MO.
“Shaping Community Futures Through Policy + Architecture” | IHC’s Social Securities Series. University of California, Santa Barbara. Invited Speaker. (Elizabeth Timme.) Santa Barbara, CA.
2018
“ADUs” | AARP Livable Communities National Conference. AARP. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Charlotte, NC.
“Re-imagining Local Infrastructure” | City Summit: LA. National League of Cities. Invited Speaker. (Avital Aboody.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Columbia GSAPP Lecture" Columbia GSAPP. Invited Speakers. (Helen Leung + Elizabeth Timme.) New York, NY. Video
"Affordable Housing in LA – Challenges & Opportunities" | Powerful Conference. AIA|LA. Panelist. (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"ADUs" | AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities Regional Roundtables. AARP. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) San Diego, CA.
"The E.D. Perspective: Leveraging Our Resources & Aligning Priorities" | Design For Dignity: Housing an Inclusive Community. AIA|LA. Panelist. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the L.A. River" | SPF:architects Gallery Panel Discussion. LA Design Festival. Panelist. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Innovative Solutions to Building ADUs" | Yes to ADU: Panel Discussion & Exhibition. Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Panelist. (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Rooftops & Backyards: Expanding Taipei & LA" | Rooftops & Backyards: Expanding Taipei & LA Exhibition. Jimenez Lai. Panelist. (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"LA Story: How Arts and Culture Can Revitalize Corridors" | Intersections: Creating Culturally Complete Streets. Smart Growth America & National Complete Streets Coalition. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Nashville, TN.
"Architectural League's 2018 Emerging Voices Series" | Emerging Voices 2018. The Architectural League NY. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) New York City, NY.
"An Innovative Solution to the Housing Crisis Shortage" | Affordable Housing Symposium: The Supply Crisis in California. Fannie Mae. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Community Engagement" | Levitt AMP Grant. Levitt Foundation. Panelist. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Public Performance" | UCLA Symposia on Public Space. IDEAS UCLA. Invited Speaker. (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
2017
"ADUs: Anti-Displacement Units? " | Build Small Live Large Summit. Build Small Coalition. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Portland, OR.
"ADU 101: Why Are ADUs Important Today?" | Build Small Live Large Summit. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Portland,OR.
"ALL TOGETHER: Under Pressure: On Protecting Communities, Resisting Displacement, and Servicing the Most Vulnerable" | Common Field Annual Conference. Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. Moderator + Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Empowering Communities to Counteract Displacement & Gentrification" | SCG Annual Conference. Southern California Grantmakers. Speaker + Panel Facilitator (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Accessory Dwelling Units as Affordable Housing" | Southern CA Association for Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH) Annual Conference. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Advocating For Ideas To Change The World" | POLI 260. School of Political Science. Rice University. Speaker (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Great Streets: Reseda Blvd and Go Ave 26 " | Transit Center Walkable Transit Workshop. Invited Speaker & Workshop Participant (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Helping Communities Shape Their Own Growth " | Advocating for Ideas to Change the World, POLI 260 course. Rice University. Invited Lecture (Elizabeth Timme.) Houston, TX
"Alternative Affordable Housing Ideas, Accessory Dwelling Units" | Greater Los Angeles Region Wells Fargo Housing Forum. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Invited Presenter" | Displacement, Gentrification, Housing. Antioch University. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Pilot presentation 3" | LAC Retreat Agenda. Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Bike Walk Connecticut Technical Training & Annual Summit. Bike Walk Connecticut." | Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Hartford, CT.
"Second Units and the Affordable Housing Crisis" | The Pasadena Housing and Career Services. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"AIGA Design for Good Episode 3: design+ city: “Main Street Redux" | Podcast. AIGA The Professional Association for Design. Speaker (Elizabeth Timme.) New York, NY.
"Path to a Walkable Future" | America Walks Webinar. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.)
2016
"Place by Design" | SXSW Eco 2016. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung & Elizabeth Timme.) Austin, TX.
"Next Up: LA River" | Archinect Podcast. Interview by Nicholas Korody. Speaker (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA. Podcast
"Architecture Lobby Think-In" | The Architecture Lobby. DeCafe, Perloff Hall, Architecture School, UCLA. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Next Up: LA River" | Archinect Discussion Series. Architecture and Design Museum. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"AIGA Design for Good Symposium" | AIGA Design Conference. AIGA The Professional Association for Design. Speaker (Elizabeth Timme.) Las Vegas, NV.
"Gentrification by Design" | Design and Gentrification:Tools for Shaping Neighborhood Change. Harvard-Mellon Urban Initiative with the Joint Center for Housing Studies and the Loeb Fellowship. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung & Elizabeth Timme.) Cambridge, MA.
"Designing in and with Gentrifying Neighborhoods" | Harvard Graduate School of Design Lunch Lecture Series. Co-Speakers (Helen Leung & Elizabeth Timme.) Cambridge, MA.
"New Urbanism Film Festival." | Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Guerrilla Public Service: Redesigning the City." | Dwell on Design Annual Convention. Los Angeles Convention Center. Co-Speaker (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Why don't we talk about humans in Architecture school." | Supper Studio 18. School of Architecture. University of Southern California. Speaker (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
|"Architecture and Ecology in LA" | Association for Women in Architecture Foundation. AWAF. Mia Lehrer + Associates. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Accessory Dwelling Units in HPOZs" | HPHT Highland Park Heritage Trust. Ebell Pasadena. Speaker (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Community Engagement and Political Advocacy in Gentrifying Neighborhoods: A Los Angeles Perspective" | New Partners for Smart Growth. Local Government Commission. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Portland, OR.
2015
"Tales of the City: New Lifestyles for the Less Young" | DIEM: Talks Design, The Future is Now. West Hollywood Design District Annual Design Symposium. Poltrona Frau. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA
"AARP Livable Communities Solutions Forum" | Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Los Angeles, CA.
"The Apparatus of Health" | Territorial Repercussions. NAC Architecture. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Investing in the Creative Economy" | Detroit Creative Economy Policy Summit. Invited Speaker. (Helen Leung.) Detroit, MI.
"Roberts/Timme" | Big City Forum. Materials and Applications. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"The Great Street Debate: Reimagining LA from the Sidewalk to the Tarmac" | Dwell on Design Annual Convention. Los Angeles Convention Center. Co-Speaker (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Powerful: Women Leading Design" | AIA Conference. American Institute of Architects. Annenberg Space For Photography. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.
"Ep. 13 Archinect Sessions "Elizabeth Timme Gives No F*cks” | Archinect Podcast. Interview (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA. Podcast
2014
"Building the Next Los Angeles" | LA Convergence. Arts for LA. East Los Angeles City College. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme) Los Angeles, CA.
"INTERSECTIONS: Art, Poetry, Politics & Design" | AIA Moderated Conversation. American Institute of Architects. Traxx Union Station. Panelist (Elizabeth Timme.) Los Angeles, CA.