California by Design

Explore California's latest architecture, innovation, resilience, culture, and design

Author

Yagmur Baydır
June 07, 2026

Dear PA Reader,

California continues to lead architectural innovation through projects that combine technology, sustainability, and cultural impact. In Southern California, the OCVIBE Concert Hall is set to transform live entertainment experiences, while Foster + Partners and Arup’s California High-Speed Rail proposal showcases a bold vision for sustainable mobility and regional connectivity.

Innovation is also driving new approaches to construction and resilience. RIC Technology recently printed California’s first fire-resistant concrete walls, demonstrating the potential of advanced building technologies. At the same time, Faulkner Architects is addressing climate challenges through a wildfire-resilient home designed for California’s remote landscapes.

Cultural landmarks by USA design firms continue to enrich the state’s architectural identity. The California Science Center has unveiled a new home for the Space Shuttle Endeavour, while the Kellogg Doolittle House exemplifies organic architecture in the California desert. Complementing these projects, Morphosis Architects’ Terracotta-Clad Orange County Museum of Art highlights California’s ongoing role as a center for design excellence and creative experimentation.

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OCVIBE Concert Hall Redefines Southern California Live Entertainment Experiences

Faulkner Architects Designs Wildfire-Resilient Living in California’s Remote Landscapes

ZGF Architects Complete New Home for Space Shuttle Endeavour at California Science Center

Kellogg Doolittle House: A Masterpiece of Organic Architecture in the California Desert

Dynamic Wearables for Fashion Design 2.0

This workshop expands the logic of dynamic wearables from jewelry-scale precision into garment-scale body systems, teaching students how to generate, map, segment, and fabricate computational designs that move between ornament, accessory, and fashion. The workshop is scheduled for July 18 & 19, 2026.

Building Performance with Forma & Opossum

This workshop introduces a comprehensive workflow that bridges the gap between rigorous environmental data, advanced parametric modeling, and final aesthetic presentation. The course utilizes powerful suite of tools, including the Autodesk Forma Rhino plugin, Ladybug, Honeybee, and Cyclops. The workshop is scheduled for June 13 & 14, 2026.

15 Best Architecture and Design Firms in the USA

Foster + Partners and Arup reveals designs for California High-Speed Rail

RIC Technology printed the first fire-resistant concrete walls in California

Morphosis Architects’ Terracotta Clad Orange County Museum of Art