LA DALLMAN
225 E. St. Paul Ave. Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53202
telephone 414.225.7450
fax 414.225.7451
About
Acclaim
People
Employment
The work of LA DALLMAN explores architecture as transformed site, reshaping the
raw materials of found and abstracted landscape in projects of diverse scale
and type. Among the broad range of their work, notable projects include urban
infrastructure, public space, artistic installations, houses, and civic buildings.
LA DALLMAN deploys material and detailing investigations as cultural artifacts
which grow from the context. Recent projects include permanent exhibits on fresh
water in Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, the Miller Brewing Company’s Employee
Meeting Center, the Kilbourn Tower, the Levy House, and the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee Hillel Student Center.
Led by James Dallman and Grace La, both graduates of Harvard University, the design studio has been awarded over thirty professional honors since its inception in 1999. Most recently, the Marsupial Bridge and Urban Spaces has received the Silver Medal of the national Bruner Award for Urban Excellence. LA DALLMAN was featured as Architectural Record’s emerging architectural firm (April 2001), and was recognized as one of four small firms nationally working on large scale projects (Dec. 2002). The practice has won six Design Awards for excellence from the American Institute of Architects Wisconsin, 2nd prize among 109 submissions in Pittsburgh’s 2006 International West End Pedestrian Bridge Competition, and was a finalist in Atlanta’s 2005 International Andrew Young Design Competition, Madison's Chazen Art Museum, and Pittsburgh's Allegheny Square Competition. The practice was awarded 1st place in the 2000 design competition for Kilbourn Tower.
LA DALLMAN is published in Detail in Process (Princeton Architectural Press, 2008), The Green Braid (Routledge, 2007), The Public Chance (a + t, 2008), 1000x Architecture of the Americas (Verlaghaus Braun, 2008), Architectural Record, Praxis Journal of Building + Writing, Spain’s a + t In Common Series, and Canada’s Azure,. They have lectured and have exhibited their design work in various cities including at the Carnegie Museum of Art.
Led by James Dallman and Grace La, both graduates of Harvard University, the design studio has been awarded over thirty professional honors since its inception in 1999. Most recently, the Marsupial Bridge and Urban Spaces has received the Silver Medal of the national Bruner Award for Urban Excellence. LA DALLMAN was featured as Architectural Record’s emerging architectural firm (April 2001), and was recognized as one of four small firms nationally working on large scale projects (Dec. 2002). The practice has won six Design Awards for excellence from the American Institute of Architects Wisconsin, 2nd prize among 109 submissions in Pittsburgh’s 2006 International West End Pedestrian Bridge Competition, and was a finalist in Atlanta’s 2005 International Andrew Young Design Competition, Madison's Chazen Art Museum, and Pittsburgh's Allegheny Square Competition. The practice was awarded 1st place in the 2000 design competition for Kilbourn Tower.
LA DALLMAN is published in Detail in Process (Princeton Architectural Press, 2008), The Green Braid (Routledge, 2007), The Public Chance (a + t, 2008), 1000x Architecture of the Americas (Verlaghaus Braun, 2008), Architectural Record, Praxis Journal of Building + Writing, Spain’s a + t In Common Series, and Canada’s Azure,. They have lectured and have exhibited their design work in various cities including at the Carnegie Museum of Art.
"...La Dallman's work is not merely painterly. Neither idolizing technology or subsuming it behind other interests, these architects integrate technology into the complete architectural project. They understand the structure and construction are key aspects of our environment, realities contributing to a sustainable world."
"The bus shelter is everyone's favorite little project. Clearly a labor of love, it's one of those powerhouse projects that has both macro urban effect and micro architectural detail..."
"[The Frederick Miller Employee Meeting Center] is a mature, skilled project... designed for the long haul; it is very classic and very contemporary... The project could be in many places like SoHo, Houston and other cities where you feel that you are part of the world stage and of the now."
"Grace La and James Dallman... are considered rising stars... They understand the hidden connections among landscape, history and design."
"[Grace La] is off-the-charts smart with an electric personality and boundless energy-- the person people draft first when they pick teams."
"One of the hottest [practices] is LA DALLMAN...[who] have garnered so much favorable attention for their cutting-edge, urbane proposals..."
"...the work of a couple fairly new to the city, Grace La and James Dallman, has broadened the discourse and opened a few eyes."
"The outdoor theatre space is really compelling, and the pedestrian walkway is designed with detail and thoughtfulness... This project [the Marsupial Bridge and Urban Spaces] asks us to look at urban infrastructure as interesting parts of our urban situation."
"There is a lot of care, spirit, and good detailing in [LA DALLMAN's Open Air Classroom]."
"Trolls, begone: La Dallman Architects converted this unsafe area beneath a bridge near Milwaukee's Holton St. Viaduct into a welcoming and well-lit neighborhood gathering space..."
"Grace addresses problem by hitting the books. Constantly searching for knowledge allows her to really absorb the basics of her field. A willingness to collaborate is also an 'incredible source of strength.'"
"Like rock 'n'roll, [La Dallman's Kilbourn Tower is] a progression of simple chords. Small changes make a big difference. When done right, Modernism rocks... Kilbourn Tower has one of the most generous and transparently luminous pedestrian passages in Milwaukee.... "
"A high level of rigor and thought went into the design of this project [the Great Lakes Future]. The detailing is exquisite. The architect captured the full body of the exhibit space."
"La Dallman brings a really fresh view of what an exhibit can be, as well as the best practices of what's happening in architecture. Plus, I get a philosophical perspective and a sense of beauty that is unique to their practice."
"[La Dallman has] combined the high-tech process of GIS data-driven design with a deliberate attempt to lend it a tactile, furniture-like sensibility."
"...Skycar City is a brilliant conceit. It is choreographed by Winy Maas of MVRDV and Grace La of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee... "
"[The Levy House] is a light-filled space whose 40-foot-long rear glass wall perches over a leafy ravine, bringing the outside in...They are living in a work of art as beguiling as anything in their collection."
"La Dallman offers a counter-strategy to architecture's often complicit role in the increasing privatization of the public realm... La Dallman was able to reclaim easements ceded to infrastructure."
"In large part thanks to the concrete structural design, the Ravine House has the feeling of a tree house which is perfectly appropriate for the setting. The structural design complements and supports the architectural intent in this manner."
-Raymund Ryan, Curator, Heinz Architectural Center, Carnegie Museum of Art
"The bus shelter is everyone's favorite little project. Clearly a labor of love, it's one of those powerhouse projects that has both macro urban effect and micro architectural detail..."
-American Institute of Architects Wisconsin 2005 Design Awards Jury (Anne Gatling Haynes, AIA, New Haven; Tom Kundig, FAIA, Seattle; and Mark Schendel, AIA, Chicago)
"[The Frederick Miller Employee Meeting Center] is a mature, skilled project... designed for the long haul; it is very classic and very contemporary... The project could be in many places like SoHo, Houston and other cities where you feel that you are part of the world stage and of the now."
-American Institute of Architects Wisconsin 2005 Design Awards Jury (Anne Gatling Haynes, AIA, New Haven; Tom Kundig, FAIA, Seattle; and Mark Schendel, AIA, Chicago)
"Grace La and James Dallman... are considered rising stars... They understand the hidden connections among landscape, history and design."
-The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"[Grace La] is off-the-charts smart with an electric personality and boundless energy-- the person people draft first when they pick teams."
-The Business Journal, "40 under 40"
"One of the hottest [practices] is LA DALLMAN...[who] have garnered so much favorable attention for their cutting-edge, urbane proposals..."
-The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"...the work of a couple fairly new to the city, Grace La and James Dallman, has broadened the discourse and opened a few eyes."
-Architectural Record
"The outdoor theatre space is really compelling, and the pedestrian walkway is designed with detail and thoughtfulness... This project [the Marsupial Bridge and Urban Spaces] asks us to look at urban infrastructure as interesting parts of our urban situation."
-American Institute of Architects Wisconsin 2006 Design Awards Jury (Jennifer Yoos, Minneapolis; Neal Jones, Phoenix; Josh Skelton, Kansas City)
"There is a lot of care, spirit, and good detailing in [LA DALLMAN's Open Air Classroom]."
-American Institute of Architects Wisconsin 2006 Design Awards Jury (Jennifer Yoos, Minneapolis; Neal Jones, Phoenix; Josh Skelton, Kansas City)
"Trolls, begone: La Dallman Architects converted this unsafe area beneath a bridge near Milwaukee's Holton St. Viaduct into a welcoming and well-lit neighborhood gathering space..."
-Azure, Canada
"Grace addresses problem by hitting the books. Constantly searching for knowledge allows her to really absorb the basics of her field. A willingness to collaborate is also an 'incredible source of strength.'"
-MKE, "Girl Power: 7 Wonder Women who are doing heroic work in Milwaukee"
"Like rock 'n'roll, [La Dallman's Kilbourn Tower is] a progression of simple chords. Small changes make a big difference. When done right, Modernism rocks... Kilbourn Tower has one of the most generous and transparently luminous pedestrian passages in Milwaukee.... "
-Milwaukee Magazine
"A high level of rigor and thought went into the design of this project [the Great Lakes Future]. The detailing is exquisite. The architect captured the full body of the exhibit space."
-American Institute of Architects Wisconsin 2008 Design Awards Jury (Ronnette Riley, FAIA, New York; Kenneth Luker, AIA, North Carolina; and Paul Mankins, FAIA, Iowa)
"La Dallman brings a really fresh view of what an exhibit can be, as well as the best practices of what's happening in architecture. Plus, I get a philosophical perspective and a sense of beauty that is unique to their practice."
-Paul Krajniak, Discovery World, UWM Today.
"[La Dallman has] combined the high-tech process of GIS data-driven design with a deliberate attempt to lend it a tactile, furniture-like sensibility."
-Shepherd Express
"...Skycar City is a brilliant conceit. It is choreographed by Winy Maas of MVRDV and Grace La of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee... "
-The Architectural Review, London
"[The Levy House] is a light-filled space whose 40-foot-long rear glass wall perches over a leafy ravine, bringing the outside in...They are living in a work of art as beguiling as anything in their collection."
-Milwaukee Home
"La Dallman offers a counter-strategy to architecture's often complicit role in the increasing privatization of the public realm... La Dallman was able to reclaim easements ceded to infrastructure."
-Praxis Journal of Building and Writing
"In large part thanks to the concrete structural design, the Ravine House has the feeling of a tree house which is perfectly appropriate for the setting. The structural design complements and supports the architectural intent in this manner."
-Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, SEAOI Excellence in Structural Engineering Award
Principals
Grace La
James Dallman
Collaborators since 1999
Lisa Mary Albright
Adam Bastjan
Kevin Dunphy
Josh Ehr
Barbara Endes
Marit Gamberg
Doug Gerlach
Jonathan Goldstein
Anne E. Gustavson
Cory Hawbecker
Dan Hesketh
Nicole Hill
Lucas Hiller
Rene King
Andrew Lasca
Len Lopate
Paul Lorenz
Christopher Ludwig
Matthew Marks
Yusuke Matsushita
Patrice McNair
Brook Meier
P.J. Murrill
Trina Nance
Ann Noonan
Trevor Patt
Nickolas Popoutsis
Christian Schoewe
James Schrader
Jes Skaug
Noele Stollmack
Bob Tiede
Ann Trudeau
Stephen Vebber
Alex Walker
Nick Wallin
Erik Walsh
Brian Wang
Sarah Weber
Nathaniel Zuelzke
Grace La
Grace La is principal of LA DALLMAN and Associate Professor of Architecture
at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ms. La received her professional degree in
architecture from Harvard University Design School (GSD). At Harvard, she was a Kelley
Thesis Prize finalist. Ms. La was awarded the Clifford Wong Housing Prize, honoring the
project that best represents housing innovation and design at Harvard University. Ms. La
graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a B.A. in Visual and Environmental
Studies. Prior to this, Ms. La studied oil painting at Philips Academy Andover. Recently,
Ms. La is the recipient of three Faculty Design Awards from the Association of Collegiate
Schools of Architecture honoring outstanding projects which advance the reflective nature
of practice and teaching. Ms. La is the 2005 recipient of the UWM Distinguished Undergraduate
Teaching Award. She is an author and co-editor with Winy Maas of Skycar City, published by
Actar of Barcelona, Spain. She is also co-editor of Calibrations: the Wisconsin Journal of
Studio Architecture.
James Dallman
James Dallman is principal and co-founder of LA DALLMAN. Mr. Dallman received
his professional degree in architecture from Harvard University Design School (GSD), and
conducted his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He received his B.S. in architecture from UWM with high honors
including study at the Ecole Speciale D'Architecture, in Paris. At Harvard, Mr. Dallman was
a Kelley Thesis Prize finalist. His analytical drawings of the work of Louis Kahn and Frank
Lloyd Wright are published in the journal 9H. He has worked as an architect in distinguished
firms in Vienna, London, Montreal, New York and Boston. He has served as an invited architectural
critic at a number of universities and has been invited by the American Institute of Architects
Wisconsin and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture to lecture on selected work
as well as on fabrication techniques. He has served on the Board of Directors of several non-profit
institutions.
Collaborators since 1999
Lisa Mary Albright
Adam Bastjan
Kevin Dunphy
Josh Ehr
Barbara Endes
Marit Gamberg
Doug Gerlach
Jonathan Goldstein
Anne E. Gustavson
Cory Hawbecker
Dan Hesketh
Nicole Hill
Lucas Hiller
Rene King
Andrew Lasca
Len Lopate
Paul Lorenz
Christopher Ludwig
Matthew Marks
Yusuke Matsushita
Patrice McNair
Brook Meier
P.J. Murrill
Trina Nance
Ann Noonan
Trevor Patt
Nickolas Popoutsis
Christian Schoewe
James Schrader
Jes Skaug
Noele Stollmack
Bob Tiede
Ann Trudeau
Stephen Vebber
Alex Walker
Nick Wallin
Erik Walsh
Brian Wang
Sarah Weber
Nathaniel Zuelzke
We kindly request that Architects and Designers send application materials consisting of a resume, references and portfolio materials, (including drawings and images) under a cover letter outlining your availability via post to the attention of Ann Trudeau at the address above. International applicants are encouraged to submit materials via e-mail.