L|A|D|C STUDIOS

L|A|D|C (aka the “Los Angeles Design Center”) is truly an oasis in the heart of South LA — located just south of the corner of Slauson and Western. L|A|D|C serves as the manufacturing headquarters for internationally renowned Cisco Brothers furniture, as well as a much sought after filming location. It’s also the headquarters for SOVO// MAGAZINE. If you’ve been to any of our events, you’ve probably been photographed dancing on the roof, lounging in one of the well appointed spaces within the three industrial factory buildings, or under the 18 ft ceilings of the main stage, aka “The Barn.”

The “Main Stage”

In the early 1970s, Cisco Pinedo immigrated to South Central LA from Jalisco, Mexico, with his family at the age of 13. His career began at an upholstery shop, he worked part-time after school to supplement his family’s income. Cisco immediately fell in love with the process of making things with his hands. Before long, he converted his garage into a furniture workshop and brought in family members to help meet the demand of clients orders. Cisco’s first business model as a furniture maker was as an independent contractor but eventually he went on to launch one of the first green furniture manufacturing companies in the United States, Cisco Brothers. Cisco still prefers to fill staff positions with family members. The brand is all about community and sustainability. He is absolutely as committed to running a sustainable business as they are to building to quality furniture, Cisco takes pride in creating real jobs for a real community of creators and craftsmen and all of this is happening just around the corner from where he took a stapler to his first piece of linen as a young teen.

Cisco Pinedo & his father still working together 40 years later. // Photo: Cisco Brothers

Cisco’s collaboration with John Friedman of FJAK Architects on transforming three abandoned warehouses into what is now L|A|D|C won him the Los Angeles Architectural Award of Excellence in 2002 from the Los Angeles Business Council; the Westside Prize in 2003 from the Westside Urban Forum; an Honor Award in 2004; a Decade Award in 2006 from the AIA/Los Angeles; the Institute Honor Award in 2004 from AIA National; the Merit Award in 2005 from the AIA California Council; the American Architecture Award in 2004 from The Chicago Athenaeum; and most notably the Rudy Bruner Silver Medal for Urban Excellence in 2007 from The Bruner Foundation. L|A|D|C is without a doubt a genuine architectural gem and was the catalyst for the redevelopment boom that ensued in the surrounding area.

— Written by Farida Amar