News | March 13, 2013

What’s On My Desk: Executive Director of the Los Angeles A+D Architecture and Design Museum Tibbie Dunb...

News | March 13, 2013

Image1NEWEver wonder what the most powerful leaders, business execs and celebrities keep on their desks? Well, we’re about to tell you. Our biweekly “What’s on My Desk” feature will take a look inside the offices and at the desks of the world’s most influential power players.

This week we’ve featured Tibbie Dunbar, the Executive Director of the Los Angeles A+D Architecture and Design Museum. In her eight years on the job, Tibbie has developed the A+D into an active center of architecture and design, launching cutting-edge programming in education, symposia, musical arts performances, cultural urbanism, interactive platforms, and the creation of an installation space where architects, designers, and artists are invited in to conceive on-site projects. In her role as director, Tibbie has guided the Board in their fundraising efforts, raising more than $1 million for the museum. Though she is busy planning the May 11th gala, Celebrate: The Journey, which will feature a runway presentation of one-of-a-kind carry-ons as designed by Karim Rashid, Steven Ehrlich, Gensler, BMW Designworks, Kathryn Ireland, Cristobal Valecillos, and Hodgetts + Fung, Tibbie took some time to sit down with Haute Living and discuss the items on her desk.

Says Dunbar: “My office is not Feng Shui.  I face a wall with more walls all around me.  I am not putting in mirrors, as was once suggested, to mitigate the situation.  Instead I have happily cluttered my wall and shelves with objects and images that inspire me.”

  • Holiday cards from architect and designer friends that capture color and whimsy.  There is also a unifying tone to the collection.  I guess I am always creating a collage around me.
  • Drawings and notes by my kids because…well they’re my kids!
  • Doodles by me…I do these while on telephone calls and I promise I actually listen better when doodling.
  • An image of Charles and Ray Eames at their Mathematica exhibition.  What else really needs to be said.
  • A thank you poem from renowned designer Deborah Sussman.  We surprised her with a birthday party here at A+D Museum and she sent out this wonderful thank you in verse.
  • Above, on one of my shelves, is a “TOOT-A-LOOP” radio by Panasonic.  I picked this up in a vintage store and yes, I had one as a teenager…only I think it was red.
  • “CELEBRATE” sticker in shape of a suitcase is my current inspiration for our “Celebrate: The Journey” Gala, which is tomorrow as far as everyone here is concerned!   But may I invite you all for the actual May 11 date!

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