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Friday Five with James R. Harlan

Chicago-born, Los Angeles-based James R. Harlan is not only an architect, he’s an artist, author, and preservationist. After moving to LA to attend USC School of Architecture, where he earned a Bachelor of Science, he opened his own architecture studio in 1989 and focused on modern residential projects. Over the years, his work has been published in The Los Angeles Times, Metropolitan Home, and Architectural Digest. He previously served as Vice Chair on the Palm Springs Architectural Committee and now is on the Board of Directors of The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation. With offices in both Pasadena and Palm Springs, Harlan is staying busy currently with renovation in latter, as well as Laguna Beach. In this Friday Five, architect Harlan gives us a sample of five of his favorite things.

Photo via Reddit

Photo via Reddit

1. Tretorn
Classic design and styling – like a pair of jeans, they get better with age.

Photo courtesy of Palm Springs Preservation Foundation

Photo courtesy of Palm Springs Preservation Foundation

2. Tahquitz Plaza
Using simple materials – wood, stucco, and glass – architect Hugh Kaptur has sculptured forms that are dynamic but are also sensitive to the climate. Recently saved from destruction, the buildings will be repurposed.

Photo courtesy of Morning Bray Farm

Photo courtesy of Morning Bray Farm

3. Ghost Ranch
Ghost Ranch is a 21,000 acre adult summer camp. You can’t help but be inspired taking a class ranging from photography to archeology.

f5-jim-harlan-4-architectural-stan-bitters-medallions-jpg

4. Stan Bitters
There is a sensitive rawness to his work that I admire. His colors are fantastic.

5. Bang & Olufsen
Beauty and function combined to create the Bang & Olufsen

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.