“Common Ground,” a book by architectural critic Sam Lubell, explores the history of shared real estate in Los Angeles, challenging the notion that the city is just a sprawling expanse of American dream houses. The book showcases the city’s multifamily housing, which has been opened to courtyards, parks, and exterior staircases and balconies, breaking the traditional blocks of apartment houses and promoting social connections.

Architectural Creativity in Los Angeles

The book highlights the work of architects who came to Southern California to test their imaginations and left their creative marks on the city’s built environment. Examples of the architects’ work in the city include Irving Gill’s health-seeking humanist designs, Rudolph Schindler’s radical modernism, and Frank Gehry’s form-manipulating maverick approach.

Addressing Housing Scarcity in Los Angeles

With almost 42,000 people currently unhoused in the city, contemporary architects and developers are working to provide affordable housing options. “Common Ground” showcases examples of affordable multifamily buildings that defy traditional expectations of what affordable housing should look like. These projects make the most out of oddly shaped lots, peripheral locations, and factory-produced components. Despite the city’s draconian restrictions on real estate development, some relief is granted to creators of affordable housing, attracting design innovators working with progressive developers committed to righting decades of inequities created by exclusionary housing policies.

The Future of Affordable Housing in Los Angeles

“Common Ground” presents a hopeful outlook for the future of affordable housing in Los Angeles. While the city’s real estate development policies have historically favored exclusionary and homogenous designs, the book highlights how the architects and developers working on affordable housing are bringing fresh perspectives and designs to the city’s built environment. By embracing creative solutions to address the city’s housing crisis, they are breaking the mold of what affordable housing can look like and promoting social connections in multifamily housing.

Conclusion

“Common Ground” challenges traditional perceptions of Los Angeles’ built environment by highlighting the city’s rich history of shared real estate. The book showcases how architects and developers are working to provide affordable housing options that are both innovative and socially connected. By promoting designs that break the mold of traditional apartment blocks and embracing creative solutions, the future of affordable housing in Los Angeles looks promising.

Here are some potential FAQs and their answers based on the research conducted about the entities mentioned in the content:

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is Ms. Anderton?

  Ms. Anderton refers to Emily Anderton, a writer and architecture critic based in Los Angeles. She has written for various publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Architectural Digest.

• What are some notable examples of shared real estate in Los Angeles?

  Some notable examples of shared real estate in Los Angeles include courtyard housing, which features a shared outdoor space within a residential complex, and bungalow courts, which are small clusters of bungalow-style homes that share a common courtyard or garden area.

• What is the history of affordable housing in Los Angeles?

  The history of affordable housing in Los Angeles is complex and has been shaped by various factors, including government policies, economic conditions, and social movements. In the early 20th century, there were efforts to provide affordable housing for workers, but these initiatives were often segregated and exclusionary. In the postwar period, there was a boom in suburban housing, but this led to increased urban sprawl and contributed to the decline of inner-city neighborhoods. In recent years, there have been efforts to increase affordable housing options, but there is still a significant shortage of affordable housing in the city.

• What are some notable affordable housing projects in Los Angeles?

  Some notable affordable housing projects in Los Angeles include the Star Apartments, which was designed by Michael Maltzan Architecture and features a rooftop garden and on-site services for residents, and the The Six, which is a mixed-use development that includes affordable housing units and retail space. Other examples include the Silver Star Apartments, which was designed by Pugh + Scarpa and features energy-efficient design elements, and the Gateway at Willowbrook, which was designed by KTGY Architecture + Planning and includes a community garden and outdoor recreation areas.