The proposed one-to-two story development, with sloped roofs & prominent porches, fits with the bungalow typology so favored by Angelenos. Porches allow for neighborly interaction and provide space for bicycles and strollers, while verandas open the living area to the garden spaces.

The project aims to improve social, mental, and physical health of the residents through several means: Robust natural ventilation and access to green areas help support a healthier lifestyle, the common orchard helps support social interactions while providing access to fresh foods, and the thoughtful use of landscaping delineates exterior areas, encouraging both communal use and private respite. It creates neighbors rather than adjacent property owners. This project also assumes a location near public transit hubs to promote walking, biking, and other methods that are part of an active lifestyle.

Key to promoting accessible and affordable housing is presenting solutions that can be built efficiently and quickly, but do not portray images of transitory living or of low-quality construction. Also, key is balancing current needs with new trends and demographic changes that may impact development in decades to come.

The project is comprised of simple layouts and can be constructed conventionally or with modular construction. The units can be repeated in other locations and in a variety of solar orientations, with wood porches acting as mediators between the module and its position at each location. Interior layouts allow for modifications to meet changes in user needs and/or demographics.

While achieving a density exceeding single-family bungalows, the design stays contextual to the low-rise neighborhood, both in height and footprint. Its domestic scale & seemingly casual disposition on the site avoid associations with the typical, and often-derided, institutional housing project typology. Most importantly, this proposal strives to stimulate local economies and facilitate community building: The garden becomes a point of contact for residents and a potential link to the neighborhood, while the common building serves to both screen the residences from the street and support engagement.

This project strives to foster connections amongst the community, providing common outdoor spaces and the opportunity for social interactions across generations, cultures and the many gaps that often separate us. It strives to create neighbors rather than adjacent property owners.

Passive strategies are maximized to conserve resources and reduce operational/maintenance costs for residents. The residences stagger across the site providing ample sun light and fresh air to each unit while creating outdoor spaces for shared and private use. The units are well insulated and have narrow footprints providing cross ventilation, reducing the need for mechanical climate control. Sloped roofs allow warm air to rise and escape, while also providing potential mezzanine or storage spaces. Light exterior wall colors reflect heat from the sun. The landscape cools oncoming breezes, provides shade, and minimizes the heat and glare reflected from the ground. It prioritizes endemic species, lessening the need for intensive maintenance and pesticides. A rain garden collects excess water for reuse and helps prevent flooding.