Located in the historical area next to the University Park in Los Angeles, this building is supposed to be rented mainly by the students. The purpose was to create a clean, minimalistic yet cozy look that will freshen up the whole block. The beautiful traditional craftsman houses right across the street make the neighborhood look authentic. The proportions of the new student housing building are like those of the historical architecture in front of it, so that it blends in the area smoothly, while adding more modern feel to it.

The main focal point of the new house is the front façade surface which gently folds towards the big palm tree on the property (which also played a role in the whole ensemble), adding a slight movement to the composition. The left part of the façade balances it out by raising the edge of the roof, which also adds a more sophisticated feeling to the design. We wanted this project to be environmentally responsible, so the whole wooden part of the façade was made with the re-purposed wood from the old boxy house that used to be on this property.

The tall airy windows along with the high 10’ ceilings make the rooms inside feel luxuriously spacious and bright. The desert-kind landscape around the house requires zero irrigation which adds up to the sustainability of the project and complements the modern look.