Raymond initiated or assisted in creating a number of California and the nation’s laws, codes and regulations for historic landmarks. And, he was the California Landmark Commission’s first appointed, historical architect.

Raymond proposed the California Historical Building Code in 1973 & it became effective in January 1976 & he was its chair for 15 years. The enabling legislation was carried by James R. Mills, whose later Mills Act came about greatly due to Raymond’s work & strong advocacy.

He co-founded the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Ordinance.

With others, he founded the Society of Architectural Historians Southern California Chapter in 1962. Nationally, as a Historic American Building Survey charter member & Board vice-chairman in Washington, Raymond helped advance many federal reservation programs.

One could argue, however, that the consummate example of Raymond’s many preservation achievements is his work on the restoration of California State Capitol building in Sacramento. As the restoration architect on this enterprise he not only fought doggedly for its authentic treatment, but went on to establish the Art & Antiquities Furnishings Program, its historic museum and co-founded the State Historic Capitol Commission becoming its long-serving chair.

\Raymond Girvigian, FAIA, is clearly well deserving of the Chapter’s first Recognition Award for Regional & Urban Design. A pioneer, a leader & a passionate protector of the historic urban fabric.

Previously, he served as Director of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA). His many contributions to Los Angeles’ civic and cultural life include chairing the committee that selected Frank Gehry as the architect of the recently completed Walt Disney Concert Hall.

In 2003, Koshalek was profiled in Newsweek magazine’s first-ever design issue, which recognized him as being “a force for grappling with humanitarian issues locally and globally.”

Quoting him from the Newsweek article, “I think designers are the alchemists of the future.” “We want to train our students not only in tangible skills but in intangibles,” he continues. “We want them to make valuable contributions. It’s no longer the lone genius in a closed room obsessing over an object. Designers have to open themselves up to the world.”

Since1999, the world-class institution has embarked on a 10-year multi-million-dollar program to help designers open themselves up to the world, what Koshalek calls “creative leadership.” Design is a pragmatic solution to any number of intractable global problems, he says, taking that message to some of today’s most-impressive leaders at events such as the World Economic Forum.

"At the End of the Century: One Hundred Years of Architecture,” a monumental exhibition exploring the history of architecture and urbanism in the twentieth century, was conceived by Richard Koshalek. After an international tour it concluded its run in April, 2000 at MOCA.

The exhibit drew upon recent, groundbreaking scholarship in the field of architectural history to present a sequence of episodes, movements, and thematic developments characterizing the architecture and urbanism of the past century. These include the complex relationship between innovation and tradition, the profound impact of technology on architecture and on patterns of living throughout the world, and visions for large-scale urban environments as well as the intimate realm of the domestic sphere. It also provides a context in which to imagine and appreciate future architectural innovations. And, an extraordinary opportunity to survey and assess the architectural accomplishments of the past century.

As a leader, educator & innovator in the area of design who believes that “designers are the alchemists of the future,” Mr. Koshalek is certainly worthy to the Chapter’s first Educator Recognition Award.

Then, in 1987, he founded California Restoration & Waterproofing and has served as its President since that time. California Restoration & Waterproofing has completed a number of significant and highly-visible restoration projects throughout California for which the firm has received several prestigious awards from both local and state-wide preservation organizations. These include:

David has a Certificate of Construction Management from the University of California, Los Angeles; is a Certified Stone and Terra Cotta Repair Specialist and is currently a Candidate for Masters Degree, Historic Preservation at USC. He served for seven years as a Trustee for the California Preservation Foundation from 1993 to1999 and has been a lecturer, University of Southern California, School of Architecture, Restoration Seminars since 1994.

Clearly, David Charlebois and California Restoration & Waterproofing are an excellent choice for the Chapter’s first Builder Recognition Award.

The new building was so successful that four years later, a new addition doubling the footage of the original was planned by architect, Max Starkman. It is this combined architectural genius and these two architects that we celebrate today.

Viewed from Brand and Lexington, the entire structure seems balanced on two-points. The upper floor louvers rotate to deflect the sun and transform the tower’s appearance throughout the day. The stairwell is isolated from the main floorplate in a parabolic prow. When viewed from Brand and Lexington, the massive prow all but disappears.

Starkman’s solved the problem of a site bisected by an alley by attaching his addition via a four-story skybridge. To tie his addition to the original building, Starkman similarly extended the floor plates of the upper floors beyond the window plane, and employed the same alternating light and dark solar operated louvers and anchored his addition with an enclosed stairwell featuring the same scored, red concrete. Starkman also created a broad patio to serve as a public plaza and attract people around the corner.

Viewed from virtually any elevation, the Glendale Bank Complex has a seamless visual appearance and unified architectural identity unique in the region. The complex and its two architects are certainly worthy of this Chapter’s first Heritage Recognition Award.