The Art Jury, comprised of six members, was established in 1923 to monitor all building specifications and property changes to the developing peninsula.
In Memoriam, 10/10/2023: PVHA is saddened to learn of George Sweeney’s recent passing. George’s superior architectural acumen and passion helped shape the peninsula. His career spanned several decades, and his work influenced many architects and enhanced the lives of his clients.
He will be sorely missed as a member of the Art Jury and as a friend and neighbor of the community.
George Sweeney received a five-year professional degree from the University of Southern California School of Architecture in 1971 and was employed with Southern California architectural firms from 1964 through 1976. In 1976, Mr. Sweeney opened his office in Malaga Cove Plaza and has designed homes for numerous clients on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and in the cities of Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, and La Jolla.
George Sweeney has served as a member of the Palos Verdes Art Jury and Rolling Hills Architectural Committee since 1987, working as part of a team whose goal is to preserve and protect the original vision of the Palos Verdes Project from 1923 going forward. Whereas the original goal of the Project was to create a series of Mediterranean communities, not unlike the coastal hill towns of Italy, other forms of architecture have been introduced. Still, it is our goal to promote the integrity of all architectural designs, requiring that they “be good of their kind” to maintain the character and visual quality of life within these communities.
Born in Montebello, California in 1958, Jeff was raised in Costa Mesa. He attended California Polytechnic State University School of Architecture in San Luis Obispo and graduated in June of 1982. During this time, he also spent a year studying in Florence, Italy. Jeff’s first job after graduation was with Stewart Woodard and Associates in Costa Mesa where he worked from 1982 to 1984. Soon after, he struck out on his own and has been self-employed to this day. As a member of the Art Jury since 2003, Jeff is licensed in California, Hawaii and is NCARB-registered. Jeff, along with his wife Sharon, son Alec and daughter Noelle, reside in Huntington Beach, California.
Starting his practice in 1984, Criss, who had lived on the peninsula for most of his life, came home. Having attended the local schools, he earned a Bachelor of Architecture, an accelerated 5-year Professional program, from the School of Architecture, Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo. He returned to the Palos Verdes area that he had always loved and appreciated for its uniqueness and beauty.
Specializing in residential construction, Criss focuses his attention on all aspects of design and construction. In the initial design consideration, massing, proportion, roof configuration, and site planning are of key importance, as well as function. A good design follows with proper detailing for its type, a concept that upholds basic design standards. These standards have formed the character of Palos Verdes for the last 80 plus years.
Criss is married to Annette Carver-Gunderson, who is also self-employed, owning a music teaching company. They very much enjoy traveling together and Criss enjoys golf. They have one daughter, Jessica, who has left the nest, but returns home frequently for visits much to the delight of her parents.
As the newest member of the Art Jury, Miriam brings welcome expertise in landscape design. Miriam has extensive knowledge and experience working with water-wise plant materials, which are appropriate and often native to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. She has been leading design and installation projects across Los Angeles for nearly 20 years.
Miriam earned her degree in Fine Arts from CSULB, and later returned to school to follow her true passion and study Landscape Architecture at UCLA while raising two daughters. Miriam has earned numerous awards throughout her career, including an ASLA Award for Residential Design at Rocky Point in Lunada Bay, First Place Annual Beautification Award from the CLCA for the redesign of the promenade at the American Honda campus in Torrance, an Award of Excellence from Sunset Magazine, an honorable mention for the Entry Garden at the Pasadena House of Design, recognition of good land use and excellence in landscape design for the Bird Habitat at Conejo Valley Botanical Garden, and awards for the best overall design, interpretation of theme, and diversity of plant material at the Los Angeles Garden Show hosted by the California Arboretum Foundation.
Miriam is a licensed contractor and the owner and principal designer of Rainville Design Studio, a full-service landscape design and build firm in Redondo Beach. She works closely with her five-person team and clients to create thoughtful, comprehensive outdoor environments. Miriam specializes in residential projects and her “less is more” aesthetic involves all the senses and features native landscapes, water-wise plant materials, durable hardscape materials, and custom furnishings to create spaces that are sustainable and restorative.
Carolbeth was born in Palos Verdes Estates and had the privilege of attending Montemalaga Elementary School, Malaga Cove Middle School, and Palos Verdes High School. After graduating from PVHS, she attended University of Southern California and received a B.S. degree in Marketing and Finance. She received an M.A. degree in Architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture.
After living and working in San Francisco, New York City, Dallas, and Manhattan Beach, Carolbeth made the decision to return to Palos Verdes to raise her children. Now a three generational family here in Palos Verdes Estates, her parents reside nearby in the home they have lived in since 1962.
Principal of Cozen Architecture for 20 years, Carolbeth has also served as a national, regional, and local Board Member for the American Institute of Architecture (AIA) and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the AIA Long Beach/South Bay Chapter. Appointed in 2012, she has served on the Membership Committee of the Palos Verdes Golf Club. Responsibilities include direct oversight for promoting the club as a city asset to the residents of Palos Verdes Estates and ensuring that the club membership adheres to the rules and regulations of club by-laws and the city concession agreement. Keeping with a desire to serve the community, she is also a Mentor for the PVIT Engineering program at Palos Verdes High School. Carolbeth serves as Co-Director of Mobile Pediatric Orthopedic Education, a foundation dedicated to training undeveloped countries in Pediatric Surgery. She has also worked as a volunteer with the Cambodian Children’s Fund in Phnom Phen.
A third generation Southern California native, Miles developed his interest in architecture through frequent family trips to regional landmarks and historic sites, and a love of motion picture design. A licensed architect since 1986, prior to opening his own firm, Miles worked for 24 years at Edward Carson Beall & Associates where he was the lead architect on hundreds of projects including large estates, custom residences, and institutional projects such as the Eaton Canyon Nature Center and the Redondo Beach Pier renovation.
Miles received his Bachelor of Arts in architecture from the University of California – Berkley. In his free time, he enjoys paddle boarding, painting, and playing keyboards in a local band.
