Frances Anderton’s British accent although foreign is quite glamorous, much like her reputation and extensive involvement in the world of architecture and design. Anderton comes from Bath, a small well known resort location in England. Her love for design and architecture emerged after high school when she went to Florence, Italy to work on a casa colonica. Anderton went on to delve into her passion by studying architecture at the University College London. She broadened her horizons by voyaging to Jaipur, India, in order to academically scrutinize a courtyard house for a Royal Society of Town Planning paper. Her true introduction into the publicized world of architecture occurred when she became associate editor of The Architectural Review magazine. This prolific and historical magazine assigned her to do a special article on Los Angeles. This assignment led to an intellectual romance between her and the city of L.A.
Upon hearing of her trans-Atlantic voyage from England to California, I immediately began to draw a comparison between her and the Architectural historian Reyner Banham. Much like Banham Anderton was a student of European Architecture who found aesthetic and architectural sanctity amongst its ‘chaos’. During the 70s and 80s Banham rocked the world of industrial design and architectural history through his revolutionary insights in his book Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies. It is not surprising that the DnA blog features more than one article about Banham.
The project associated with Los Angeles inspired her to move in 1991 and to involve herself as the editor of L.A. Architect, a monthly journal for the Los Angeles architectural community. During three years of her new position Anderton drastically changed the design and editorial content while simultaneously increasing the readership of the publication. Like many Los Angelino’s on their daily commute to work, she was intrigued through hearing the KCRW program Which Way, LA?. Anderton’s interest led her to volunteer at the station, which eventually became a full time staff member.
“She wed her love of design and architecture to the medium of radio when she started hosting DnA: Design and Architecture in April, 2002. And she applies her knowledge about politics and current affairs to her understanding of architecture and design”
Since her initial involvement with KCRW Frances Anderton hosts her DnA: Design and Architecture, monthly on KCRW while fervently blogging through KCRW.com. Apart from her show she works as a full time producer of KCRW’s national and local current affairs shows such as To The Point, and Which Way, LA? Anderton regularly contributes to the New York Times and a variation of magazines which contribute academic insights for Los Angelino designers and architects.
Image from blog post: Brazil Loses “One of its Geniuses:” Oscar Niemeyer Dead, at 104
Aside from her blog and radio show Anderton frequently makes guest appearances at cultural institutions such as the Hammer UCLA Museum, the Skirball Institute, and the LA Forum. She has recently been awarded by The LA/AIA Chapter for her work in exploring the LA design and architecture scene. DnA has been featured in the Los Angeles Times magazine as well as Los Angeles, Angeleno and Metropolis magazines.