Gruen Associates

09/16/2025

Gruen Associates' Senior Associate --Maya White-Turre, AIA --was asked to chair the AIA California (AIA|CA) Embodied Carbon Working Group. The Group forms a critical component of the state organization's climate action activities directing and formulating Zero Net Carbon Design (ZNCD) education opportunities and the AIA's state code advocacy agenda.

The group made several presentations to the California Carbon Reduction Collaborative (CCRC), which consists of members from the California Building & Standards Commission (CBSC), the Department of the State Architect (DSA), and the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD). These groups determine updates to CALGreen, the California Building Code (CBC), and the California Residential Code. The Embodied Carbon Working Group was asked to collaborate with the CCRC to refine code, which regulates the embodied carbon of larger buildings and paves the way for reuse of building materials, deconstruction rather than demolition of buildings, and a circular building material economy.

To date, AIA|CA's Embodied Carbon Working Group spearheaded Calgreen's adoption of its first-ever embodied carbon regulations. This year, the Group advocated for expansion of the regulations to cover residential projects over 100,000 SF and moving the threshold of Global Warming Potential (GWP) material thresholds to match California Buy Clean Standards. Maya introduced code language defining salvaged materials and integrating the option to utilize them as having an equivalent GWP of zero. This will likely be included in the 2025 Intervening Supplement to the CBC.

As part of her responsibilities as Chair, Maya is an organizer of and facilitator for Circular SoCal --a symposium on building material reuse, co-sponsored by the AIA|LA and the City of Santa Monica. AIA|CA's ZNCD courses, organized by Maya, include Salvaged Lumber Reuse in Federal Center South, MEP Embodied Carbon 101 for Architects (this September 24th), Biobased Materials & Biogenic Carbon, and Embodied Carbon Software Tools.

Related Links:

https://events.aiacalifornia.org/event/zncd-webinar-the-mep-2040-challenge-and-mep-embodied-carbon-101-for-architects/

https://www.aialosangeles.org/event/circular-socal-a-catalyst-for-a-regenerative-future/

https://events.aiacalifornia.org/event/zncd-webinar-salvaged-lumber-reuse-in-federal-center-south/

https://aiacalifornia.org/news/aia-california-continues-code-advocacy-at-state-level-to-reduce-carbon/

04/07/2025

Getting it done!
Had an amazing time this weekend painting homes with Habitat for Humanity in El Sereno!
Our firm was proud to be part of the original planning effort — working with Council District 14, and Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative to engage the community and shape an urban strategy for these former Caltrans properties that respects the neighborhood’s character and needs.
Now, seeing that vision come to life — and being part of the implementation with SGV Habitat — really brings it full circle by doing our part to turn these plans into real homes for real families.

04/03/2025

Happy World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM)!
Step outside, plant a tree, spend time in your garden, or visit a public space. Take a moment to reflect on how trees, parks, and open spaces enrich our health and well-being.

02/03/2025

Today's site visit at the LAX/Metro Transit Center...the bus plaza is taking shape:)

01/23/2025

Gruen is the urban planner/ designer, architect, and landscape architect on this new BRT project that is closer to becoming a reality. Congrats team!

The bus rapid transit service will connect Pomona to Las Vegas via future high speed rail.

10/30/2024

Thanks, !

Our crew was thrilled to volunteer for a great cause!

05/16/2024

Gruen's Pasadena Central Library project team presented their proposed architecture and landscape designs to a group as part of the AIA|Los Angeles Chapter's Urban Design Committee's walking tour of Old (Town) Pasadena last month. The presentation took place on the library's west lawn, where the design team shared their work on the project and responded to questions about the design and the 1927 library's history. April also marked the national celebration of the important role of libraries in our education, innovation, culture, urban environment and lives overall. Shouldn't we always appreciate the valuable benefits libraries offer our communities every day?

04/26/2024

Happy Hours that Work! Go to our Instagram for a brew (or two) with the Gruen Associates crew!

03/01/2024

Gruen Associates is sharing the City of Pasadena’s and our firm's recent community outreach efforts to inform the public of proposed future renovations designed for the historic Pasadena Central Library at the 42nd Annual Black History Parade and Festival. Click the image, below, for details or enter the space with the QR Code for an experience!

01/20/2024

In recognition of their demonstrated leadership, dedication to the firm, and outstanding professional achievements, the Partners of GRUENASSOCIATES are pleased to announce the following promotions:

Principal Associate
Nicole Lawson, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Associate
Gustave Heully, AIA, LEED AP
Jamie Pancino, AIA, LEED AP

Senior Associate
Maya White-Turre, AIA
Adam Sapin, ASLA

Associate
Kevin Lui, Assoc. AIA
Aashka Dave Vanmali, Assoc. AIA
Krisakon Savathasuk, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Associate

10/24/2023

The City of Los Angeles has just released the Draft Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan and we are so excited to be part of the team with , , , , , and
The Vision Plan proposes designs that utilize nature-based strategies and can be implemented in phases, enhancing the natural functions of the LA River and its tributaries, improving water quality, habitat, and wildlife areas, as well as strengthening the flood capacity of the Basin to manage future risks. The plan proposes this all while enhancing opportunities for recreational uses and improving access throughout the Basin for multiple modes of travel.
The Draft Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan will be available for public comment for eight weeks between October 18th and December 18, 2023. The full Draft Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan can be downloaded on the website at https://eng.lacity.org/sepulveda-basin-vision-plan and comments can be added using the website comment form on the website.

09/19/2023

Join Gruen Associates at the 39th Annual International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 23rd! We will be at Will Rogers State Beach - South (Tower 15).

For over a decade, Gruen Associates has volunteered and participated in the event, sponsored locally by Heal the Bay. Not only is it an opportunity to remove trash and debris from the shoreline, the event will educate the public, collect data used to pass legislation, and make a difference in our community.

Friends and family are welcome!

While you're there, take in some vistas and capture the moment as part of the California Ocean & Coastal Amateur Photography Contest. Click the link for submission details!

Why not continue to make a day of it at the Santa Monica Pier? Catch the LA Opera’s free simulcast of Mozart’s masterpiece, “Don Giovanni”!

https://healthebay.org/

https://www.coastal.ca.gov/photo/index.html

https://www.laopera.org/community/opera-for-all/free-opera-broadcasts-2/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=You+re+Invited+to+Free+Showing+of+%22Don+Giovanni%22+*Revised*&utm_campaign=Revised+August+25th+E-Newsletter