SCI-Arc Celebrates 50 Years

Fifty-year old Southern California Institute of Architecture SCI-ARC, the unique, non-profit, world renowned school of architecture, was created by well-known, awarded and published architect, Ray Kappe, who became SCI-ARC's visionary Founding Director. He previously founded the successful 3 1/2 year old Architecture Program at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, but due to an unsympathetic and unsupportive administration, and after a student/faculty demonstration with "Kappe Now" tee shirts, "our Godfather building posters, with Kappe's image, and helicopters patrolling overhead in support of Kappe's program”, he decided to resign the Chairmanship and start "The New School" in a 20,000 sq. ft. building he leased on the corner of Berkeley & Nebraska Streets, in Santa Monica, California, in 1972. He was joined by six of his talented, dedicated faculty members and 75 students from Cal Poly and around the U.S. and Canada.

Education is the single most important issue in one’s personal academic growth. This photo was taken at Sci-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture) where I attended as a student, a Board member and as a professor directing "ARCH" (Architectural Response to Community Housing) urban studio. It was years of a "Think Tank" environment that taught me many things about the built environment and solving critical social problems.

At SCI-ARC's 50th Anniversary "Main Event" Gala and fund raiser for student scholarships, its talented, dedicated, Founding Faculty: (left to right) Ahde Lahti, Bill Simonian, Thom Mayne, Glen Small, Shelly Kappe, and Jim Stafford, as well as Founding Director Ray Kappe, posthumously, were recognized with honorary Masters of Architecture Degrees.

Kappe gave "The New School" it's official name, the Southern California Institute of Architecture, with the memorable acronym of SCI-ARC. SCI-ARC became internationally well known and influential, very soon, and achieved professional accreditation in just four years. Ray Kappe’s directorship included: buying land in Topanga Canyon for experimental structures and inspiring the creation of the videotaped "Design Forum Public Lectures" archive. Coordinated by Shelly Kappe, it is now available on YouTube and considered internationally to be a very important architectural resource. For 35 years beginning in 1978, over 1,000 SCI-ARC students participated in its European Studies Program, living and studying in the historic villa in Vico Morcote (Lugano), Switzerland, acquired and restored by SCI-ARC. From there, they took field trips, experiencing the most important architecture of Europe.

Ray Kappe and Shelly Kappe retired in 1987, after fifteen successful years. However, they continued to be involved, with Ray Kappe serving on the Board of Directors, and by leading student exchanges with schools in Berlin.

Also, in 2002, Ray Kappe was appointed Interim Director to help the school, transition between directorships.

SCI-ARC's second director was Michael Rotondi, who added more classes with cultural emphasis and led the school to achieve WASC (Western Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture) membership. He was followed by Neil Denari, who moved SCI-ARC to the early L.A., reinforced concrete building of the former Santa Fe Freight Depot in downtown Los Angeles. The historic building was chosen by Ray Kappe, who wanted SCI-ARC to contribute to the renaissance of the downtown area. Eric Moss became the fourth director, and during his tenure, SCI-ARC achieved building ownership by buying its building, located in the Arts District, close to the Los Angeles River, where the city began. It is now its permanent home. SCI-ARC's fifth and current director is Hernan Alonso Diaz. He has kept SCI-ARC going well during the challenge of the pandemic, including remote and in-person classes.

SCI-Arc Commemorates 50th Anniversary – Photo Credit: SCIArc www.sciarc.edu/news/2022/50th-main-event .

Source: www.sciarc.edu