Committed to showcasing local architecture students as well as internationally renowned designers, A+D seems out to disprove the myth that LA is only capable of breeding mini-malls and ancient Babylonia-inspired shopping centers.

The Architecture and Design Museum may be small in size, but large in scope. Politically minded Cuban artists, Southern Californian modernist pioneer Richard Neutra and LA-based architects are just a few of the subjects the museum has devoted exhibits to in recent years. Located on Miracle Mile's museum row, A+D literally falls in the shadow of its across-the-street neighbor LACMA. In addition to highlighting designers like Frank Geary and Ray and Charles Eames, the museum devotes time to lesser-known but equally important names like William Wurster, Richard Meier (whose firm designed the Getty Center) and Rudolph Schindler (whose home is now the MAK Center for Art and Architecture). Plus, A+D isn't above displaying the work of local architecture firms and design students. —Elisa Jacobs