Today we’d like to introduce you to David Hertz.
David, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My Great Grandmother came to Venice Beach in the 1920’s so we have a long history in LA. My Grandfather and father built the famous historic Western Movie Town at Paramount Ranch in Malibu, (the town, recently lost in the Woolsey Fire is to be rebuild and my brother and I are working with the National Park Service on that effort).
I was Born and raised on the west side of LA between Westwood and Malibu. Moved to Venice in 1976. I have been surfing my entire life. I used to drag my fathers 1964 Dewey Weber Performer to First Point Malibu from our small beach house on Carbon Beach, before it became “Billionaire Beach”
I raised 3 kids in Venice, I live with my wife and three rescue dogs, in a small bungalow in Venice. I love to ride my bike to My 1922 historic storefront studio on Market Street, where I practice architecture Tuesday’s/ Thursday’s. The rest of the week we are either at our surf shack on the bluff at Paradise Cove or at our 57 acre Movie ranch in Western Malibu, Xanabu home to the sets from the King and I and other classics build by the famous decorative artist, Tony Duquette.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
At the end of every know is a yes, is our motto along with “to imagine the impossible is to achieve the incredible”. It’s been an uphill swim as we are generally counter current and on the bleeding edge of pioneering innovations and technology. Although I have been extremely fortunate I have had to work very hard, things don’t always come easy to me, so I have had to overcome by sheer perseverance of will and surrounding myself with a team of highly supportive people. I am not afraid to take calculated risk and I have had several second chances which I have used as opportunities to learn from.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about S.E.A. Studio of Environmental Architecture and Skysource.org – what should we know?
For 35 years, I have been practicing Architecture having worked with two of Los Angeles finest, John Lautner and Frank Gehry before opening my own studio in Venice in 1984. We design commercial and residential projects, all with a sustainable focus. Two of my more well-known houses I designed is the Californication House and the 747 Wing House made from the wings of a discarded 747… My wife, Laura Doss-Hertz and I founded Skysource to help address the glow AP water shortage. Last year we won the 1.5 M Water Abundance XPRIZE from a team of 98 from 27 countries. We made over 2,000 liters of water from air using 100% renewable energy at a cost of less than 2 cents/ liter. We are committed to bringing restorative technologies that help to decarbonize with Carbon negative technologies to the global community who need it most through our Skysource Resilience Labs.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Passion, compassion, and determination.
Contact Info:
- Address: 57 Market Street Venice, CA 90291
- Website: Davidhertzfaia.com and Skysource.org
- Phone: 310-829-9932
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Lensviews
- Facebook: David hertz
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