AIA/LA ANNOUNCES THE JURY FOR THE 2009 RESTAURANT DESIGN AWARDS

AIA Los Angeles has assembled an all-star cast of jurists for the competition, each considered legends within their own fields of expertise.

JONATHAN GOLD – Restaurant Critic, LA Weekly
From the porno burrito to molecular gastronomy, LA Weekly Food Critic Jonathan Gold has tasted and written about practically every type of cuisine and genre of establishment. His undying curiosity and ability to write captivatingly about charred meats, Southern Thai delights, and other culinary oddities earned him the first Pulitzer Prize to ever be awarded to a restaurant critic. With his finger on the very pulse of all that is good and edible in Los Angeles, Jonathan is up to the challenge of the first-ever nationally reaching RDAs.

CEDD MOSES – Founder/CEO, 213
The ultimate doyen of downtown nightlife, Cedd Moses was one of the first developers to stake a claim in Historic Downtown Los Angeles. Over the past ten years, 213, lead by Moses, has successfully reclaimed dilapidated old structures, only to re-invent them as vibrant, distinctive, and hugely popular architectural gems to which new generations of intrepid night time explorers flock. 213’s modern twist on the classics, and culinary approach to cocktails and spirits has redefined the way Los Angeles imbibes.

MICHAEL PALLADINO, FAIA – Design Partner, Richard Meier & Partners Architects
Continuing the RDA tradition, a former recipient has been invited to join the jury. In 2006, RMP firm won a Jury Award for their elegant and minimal CUT, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant.  This year, Michael finds himself on the other side of the table, ready to evaluate a national selection of entries.

LOUISE (LU) SANDHAUS – Graphic Designer, Louise Sandhaus Design (LSD)
Besides the structural and the edible, there’s so much more that goes into making an excellent dining experience.  As the former director of the Graphic Design Program at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) and the founder of Louise Sandhaus Design, Louise is the perfect graphic design expert to lend her expertise in evaluating everything in between.