Los Angeles possesses a heterogeneous urban fabric of many layers, unfolding a collective, cultural organism which fosters and continues to breed an extraordinary range of building types. Kindled by the sheer diversity of inhabitants and stoked by a climate of liberal aestheticism, the emergent architecture is exuberant, beguiling and wholly eclectic. This volume presents, illustrated in colour throughout, essential coverage of projects which have captured the imagination of the public and the critics alike. Los Angeles is divided into four main sections featuring cultural centres, mixed use development, private residences, health and leisure centres, restaurants, bars and shops. The first section examines the social and planning history of the city with incisive essays by Elizabeth Moule and Stefanos Polyzoides, Diane Ghirardo, Kim Coleman and Kathryn Smith, Included are the proceedings from the Academy International Forum 'Learning from Los Angeles', unveiling the stimulating debate between participants Eric Owen Moss, Charles Jencks, Edward Soja, Wolf Prix, Ralph Erskine, Allen Scott, and others. 'Los Angeles As It Might Have Been' features an absorbing collection of projects which were never realised, such as Studio Asymptote's Steel Cloud, Dagmar Richter's Century City, Eric Owen Moss' S.P.A.R.City, Frank Gehry's Familian Residence, Hodgetts + Fung's Cookie Express, offering a nostalgic look at missed opportunities, for better or for worse. 'Los Angeles As It Is' dissects the condition of the city today, encompassing a diverse wealthof buildings by key architects. Predominant in the last five years is a shared ad hoc approach responding to the heterogeneity and prowess of the city. 'Los Angeles As It Will Be' offers a future perspective. With the riots of 1992, the departure of the defence industry, the deep recession and the recent influx of a million immigrants, Los Angeles is looking like a possible harbinger of the European global city. But once again it is restructuring, despite the many pressures imposed. The various schemes presented here reveal the prospective urban fabric. Los Angeles is illustrated in all its complexity, demonstrating both the problems and potential of one of the most provocative cities of the world. It is hoped that in the nineties architecture will resume its historic role: that of an art which celebrates the finest achievements and aspirations of an age.