Gregory Samuel Ain, FAIA was an American architect born in Pittsburgh and raised in Los Angeles's Lincoln Heights neighborhood. His family briefly lived at Llano del Rio, an experimental collective farming colony, which may have influenced his later social idealism. Inspired to become an architect after visiting the Schindler House as a teenager, he attended USC's School of Architecture (1927-28) but dropped out, feeling limited by Beaux Arts training. He worked for Richard Neutra from 1930-1935, then established his own practice focusing on modest housing for working and middle-class clients.
During WWII, he served as Chief Engineer for Charles and Ray Eames, developing their famous plywood furniture. His career was significantly impacted by Red Scare accusations of communism in the early 1950s, causing him to lose commissions including participation in the Case Study Program. He later served as Dean of Pennsylvania State University's School of Architecture (1963-1967) before returning to Los Angeles, where he died in 1988.
AWARDS
Guggenheim Fellowship (1940) - for housing studies
American Institute of Architects College of Fellows (FAIA)
NOTABLE WORKS
Mar Vista Tract became L.A.'s first Modern historic district (HPOZ, 2003)
Joseph Kun House (1935-1936) – Los Angeles
VDL Research House contribution (1932) – Los Angeles - with Richard Neutra