Housing Los Angeles - Reframing the dream

UCLA - Architecture and Urban Design - M.Arch 1st year 401 - Coordinator - Spring 2024

For decades, the single-family home has been synonymous with the California dream however, soaring housing costs and limited supply exclude most Angelenos from this dream. With this studio we explore the history of experiments in densification through studing housing typologies that are endemic to Los Angeles: bungalow courts, dingbats, Townhouses, Duplex/Fourplex, Tract Homes/Cottages, and courtyard apartments. To address affordability, this shift from the single-family “house” to broader “housing” solutions sees density as a key strategy for creating community.

For decades, the single-family home has been synonymous with the California dream: architectural innovation, cultural aspiration, and economic opportunity. However, soaring housing costs and limited supply exclude most Angelenos from this dream. This Los Angeles Paradox gave rise back in 1945 to the case study houses project where architects were tasked with designing single houses for mass production by rethinking architectural form, structure, and materials. This project failed and left Angelenos today, 80 years later, with a new focus: shifting from the dominance of single-family homes to a more diverse housing landscape that addresses affordability, density, and community needs. With this studio we explore the history of experiments in densification through thorough studies of housing typologies that are endemic to Los Angeles: bungalow courts, dingbats, Townhouses, Duplex/Fourplex, Tract Homes/Cottages, and courtyard apartments.

The American Dream of homeownership, once a cornerstone of economic opportunity and stable communities, now stands fractured. The housing market collapse and economic shifts exposed the inherent limitations of this dream, revealing the many who were excluded. Los Angeles exemplifies this struggle. Soaring home prices shut out most residents, while exorbitant rents far exceed recommended income to rent ratios. This has fueled gentrification and displacement, eroding not just the economic prospects of Angelenos but also the city's vibrant social and cultural fabric. Recognizing this, city and state officials are pushing for change. New policies aim to increase affordability and curb urban sprawl's negative environmental impact. Recent legislation even allows for building up to four units on single-family zoned lots. However, these efforts face economic headwinds. Even single-family homes now exceed $800,000 on average, with low-income options barely better at $500,000 per unit. The high cost of land, especially in urban centers, is a major factor. To address affordability, this shift from the single-family "house" to broader "housing" solutions sees density as a key strategy for creating a more accessible Los Angeles.

This studio dives deep into the challenges of Los Angeles housing. We move beyond traditional design, exploring how architecture can create new ways of living in the city. Examining social, cultural, and economic factors shaping housing, we'll study existing models and spatial arrangements to develop innovative designs that address affordability, community, and a sense of place. Inspired by Robin Evans' "Figures, Doors, and Passages," we'll delve into seemingly ordinary aspects of housing, exploring the balance between private and public space, individual versus collective living, and the transition between indoors and outdoors. Through this exploration, we'll analyze existing housing models and their spatial arrangements, learning from the past while pushing boundaries towards innovative and fresh solutions for social interaction, aesthetics, and economic feasibility within LA's living communities.