Team of Architects Honored for Museum Renovation Plan

Eight architects, working as a team, were honored at the 10th Anniversary Awards banquet of Asian American Architects & Engineers for contributing their professional expertise to the new Japanese American National Museum.

The architects--Takashi Shida, chairman, Marci Chiono, George Shinno, Frank Sata, Yosh Nishimoto, Robert Uyeda, David Kikuchi and Shigeru Masumoto--have developed conversion plans for the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple at East 1st Street and Central Avenue.

In converting the historic building for use as a museum with administrative offices, the consortium focused on major renovation of the interior spaces and complete remodeling of the air conditioning, electrical and plumbing systems as well as upgrading the structure to seismic requirements.

The City of Los Angeles will lease the 30,000-square-foot site to the museum for 50 years, for the sum of $1 a year. The JANM received a $1-million grant from the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency last year to be added to $750,000 provided in 1985 by the state.

Construction of the museum is expected to start in December with completion targeted for 1989.