John Southern founded Urban Operations in Los Angeles over twenty years ago as an architect-builder. That experience has produced a diverse portfolio of genuine range — delivered consistently, on time and on budget. As construction managers on their own custom residential projects, the office brings firsthand experience of project delivery to every client engagement — fluent in the language of general contractors and subcontractors, and direct about what it takes to move a project from concept through permit and toward completion.

Southern has taught architecture since 2005, holding a Professor of Practice position at Woodbury University and a Design Faculty position at SCI-Arc. He is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at USC’s School of Architecture where he teaches in both the graduate and undergraduate programs. His academic research develops AI-driven design workflows for students and professionals — translating emerging tools into methods for architectural production, from design-forward building proposals to speculative design environments.

A former member of the LA Forum for Architecture and Urban Design Board of Directors, Southern’s critical writing has been published in Architect’s Newspaper, Archinect, and Domus. His built and speculative work has been exhibited internationally, including the 2012 U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

For more information about Urban Operations contact us:

telephone: 310-666-5985

email: info@urban-ops.net

post: 2820 North Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031

instagram: @urbanops