Jodie Mendelson, AIA
Current Firm: JAM Project Management
Education: MArch University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee & Bachelor of Art Architecture, UC Berkeley
instagram.com/jamprojectmanagement
Mini-Bio & Highlights:
Background & Inspiration: I had no idea I wanted to be an architect until my first architecture lecture class in college, Environmental Design I, and immediately fell in love with the ideals of great architecture. I applied to the major on a whim after my mother told me to choose architecture over art and art history which would be more practical. The joke of course is that my education at Berkeley was totally theoretical. My uncle is an architect who I consider my biggest initial influence, and I have benefitted from so many mentors in my career.
Career & Projects: Thirteen years ago I transitioned from architecture to owner's representation project management. I am most proud of a transformers replacement project at The Music Center which was technically challenging to work with multiple landlocked buildings, experienced four rounds of turnover from DWP's design staff, and absorbed 11% inflation in 2021 alone. Gruen Associates and PNG Builders were amazing partners and we got it done on budget and schedule. I love all project types, and the more challenging the better! My biggest challenge in my career growth is learning how to navigate stress and I pride myself in wading through it much better than I used to.
Philosophy & Process: Listen to the better designers around me. I think building an expert team is the key to successful design that meets form and function and I am very excited by the potential for the use of earthen building materials like Adobe is Not Software and CalEarth Superadobe in California post-fire.
Personal & Fun: My favorite building is Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright - it is completely one with its natural setting, and of course like a lot of starchitecture, was under-designed structurally with water intrusion issues. I would love to go back in time and collaborate with Alvar Aalto. My biggest hobby is cooking new, elaborate recipes. If I weren't an architect, I would love to be a food blogger.
Advice: Architecture is an incredible education - the field trains you to think critically about the visual, functional and written intersection of ideas. Success means marrying all three seamlessly and turning it into a business. Never be afraid to ask for what you want, be on time, and send a thank you email within a day. I learn by staying in touch with colleagues even when we're no longer working on a project together.
My Favorite Project | Music Center Plaza Renovation:
The team was wonderful to work with and truly experts in their particular fields: Gary Leonard (photographer of this photo), Howard Sherman (Music Center COO), Chase Neuwald (Matt Construction), all the trades, RIOS (AOR) and many many others. The interventions on the site were challenging, and this photo is one example. We had to relocate the 15-ton Jacques Lipchitz Peace on Earth sculpture, and didn't realize the steel structure was completely corroded and covered in hazardous material until we removed the 60-year-old granite veneer base. There was a week of scrambling to coordinate with Peyton Hall of HRG and Mike Krakower, a structural engineer specializing in historic bronze sculptures to confirm means and methods for abating and resupporting the sculpture prior to relocating it 150' to the west.
Why AIAPF?
I joined the AIA when I was a student because I think it's important to be part of a group to share resources and learn from others. Now that I am further along in my career, I think it's important to pay it forward. I belong to the AIA LA chapter, but I started volunteering with the AIA PF chapter quickly after the fires to start the Ask an Architect program. I worked in Pasadena and South Pasadena from 2010-2016 and the region is very dear to me.
