Urban Planning Archives - Office of: Office

Rebuilding Response: Eaton & Palisades

Office of: Office — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 04:00:17 +0000

We founded this organization to support communities affected by inequities in the built environment.

We believe deeply in our work informing a future of resident-directed development, community networks, and abundant resources for neighborhoods. In line with that mission, we are providing this support for residents who have historically faced discrimination in housing, inequities in the built environment, and/or challenges in building generational wealth that may be at a disadvantage in their rebuilding efforts.��

If you have been impacted by the fires in Los Angeles and need architecture, planning, or design support in rebuilding your home,��please submit request with information on your property and needs.

Please send any questions to��olivia@officeofoffice.com!

*We realize this offer might exclude other populations or our fellow tenants and renters. If you have questions or need technical assistance please reach out, we can connect you to other resources in our network if we aren’t able to help you directly.

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Adaptive Multi-Generational Housing

Office of: Office — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 18:00:27 +0000

Designing Affordable Housing Models to better meet the needs of Multi-Generational Households of Color

“Adaptive Multi-Generational Housing” outlines a proposal to design new, affordable housing to better meet the needs of multi-generational households. By promoting intergenerational permanence through housing that is adaptive, this project is one of many strategies necessary in the mitigation of displacement pressures experienced by communities of color throughout Los Angeles.

The overall design is contextual to Los Angeles, where single family homes and multi-family dwelling are common. More importantly, it��reflects the lived experiences of families at risk of having to leave their home communities. Providing the flexibility for families to grow into and adapt their homes allows them to continue shaping their neighborhoods.��

This project supports a flexible and episodic timeline of use. Movable partitions in each home are placed next to built-in daybeds within the bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens to allow for flexible sleeping nooks for short and medium stay family members.

Communities of color have long had to adapt to a housing system and type of architecture that was not designed for them. This project prioritizes their way of living and adapts the infrastructure to not only meet an individual family’s needs but also to promote stability and resilience among communities of color.

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City of Boston Non-Conformity Analysis

Office of: Office — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 17:46:55 +0000

Recommending Zoning Changes to increase ADUs in Boston’s Mattapan Neighborhood

Working with Woodsong Associates, our team combined research, design, urban planning policy analysis, and knowledge of architectural constraints to identify potential changes to Boston’s zoning code that could encourage the development of ADUs and middle infill housing in the Mattapan neighborhood. We focused on four specific ADU typologies – External Detached, External Conversions, External Attached, and Internal Conversions.

We grounded our recommendations in Boston’s unique urban fabric, honored Mattapan’s neighborhood character, and challenged historically exclusionary zoning regulations.��We combined spatial GIS analysis with qualitative observations of housing stock, and analysis of parcel data and plans. We analyzed the zoning designation, housing style, and number of units to identify patterns in land use and housing development.��

Looking at a subset of lots that participated in City-led ADU pilot programs, we found that dwellings did not comply with restrictive limits on building envelope size, lot dimensions, and use regulations. Diving deeper, we created a nine-category typology matrix of all Mattapan residential 1F, 2F, and 3F lots based on the relationship between lot size (total square footage of lot area) and lot coverage (the total building and accessory structure footprint as a percentage of total lot area). We used this typology to fit-test potential ADUs and identify friction points with existing zoning code.

Using a case-study approach, we modeled nine Mattapan lots (one per typology) and visualized the buildable area that could potentially accommodate a standard ADU. We found that stringent frontage and Fire Code requirements made constructing an ADU infeasible on almost all lots. However, amendments to the zoning code could potentially increase the percentage of lots able to support ADU development.

To mitigate and address the identified barriers, we drew on a variety of case studies and best practices to put forth goals to:��enable zoning that accommodates middle housing types; facilitate key standards for ADUs; and address existing non-conformities��present in the current Zoning Code.

PROJECT PARTNERS:

CITY OF BOSTON, WOODSONG ASSOCIATES

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Frogtown Artwalk 2014

Office of: Office — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 08:48:08 +0000

We designed wayfinding signage for the artwalk to help guide visitors from one exhibit to the next.

The Frogtown Artwalk is a bi-yearly community event organized by the Elysian Valley Art Collective, an arts non-profit dedicated to preserving and promoting an inclusive community along the Los Angeles River, that celebrates local artists in a neighborhood-wide arts exhibition.

We were invited to design and fabrication wayfinding signage for each venue to help guide visitors from one exhibit to the next.��The artwalk covers over a half-mile stretch of the Elysian Valley neighborhood where over 30 galleries and installations pop-up in resident garages, driveways, neighborhood studios, and local businesses. The artwalk is a car free event that encourages visitors to walk, bike or skate the neighborhood.

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For the 2014 Frogtown Artwalk, the designed super graphic wayfinding signage, designed in collaboration with Elly Ward, that were inspired by the late Deborah Sussman. The super-sized signs were CNC milled out of plywood and hand painted.

Project Partners: Elysian Valley Arts Collective.

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Welcome to Western

Office of: Office — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 08:20:48 +0000

We re-imagined Western Ave. to become a more walkable, safe, and vibrant business corridor.

Welcome to Western is a public realm project informed by the many different users of Western Ave between Melrose and 3rd St. Over the course of the past year, we facilitated three public events and listened to many different Western Ave locals to learn about their diverse experiences on the street and how it could be improved.

All this feedback informed the design of a variety of physical sidewalk improvements that enhance the pedestrian experience and benefit the small businesses on Western Ave.

Through robust engagement with Western’s diverse constituents, we heard the following goals for the street: make Western a place that feels safe and welcoming; support local small businesses and enhance vibrancy; and help Western feel more friendly to pedestrians.

After over six months of permitting and installation, we unveiled the project at a in August 2018. The festival featured diverse music and dance performances, arts workshops, community booths, and a scavenger hunt highlighting local businesses.

Outfront/ JCDecaux Street Furniture, LA Sign Company, Mural Painter LA, Laser Bend.

Funders: City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Council District 4.

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Wilmington Wayfinding

Office of: Office — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 07:40:17 +0000

We designed wayfinding signage to increase connections between existing amenities, supporting the pedestrian experience and small business activity.

For this Port of LA-sponsored project, we produced wayfinding signage, incorporating community feedback, that connects resources on Avalon Boulevard and the Wilmington Waterfront.

The project features nine signs with wayfinding for pedestrians, installed on City-owned light poles along Avalon Blvd between Anaheim Street and Harry Bridges Blvd. Each sign provides information about which small business amenities are within a several block radius, in addition to pointing to the LA Port at the Wilmington Waterfront and other civic destinations.

Each amenity is indicated with a simple and clear icon and accompanied by walking travel distance, creating a graphic cluster that gives a snapshot of resources nearby.

Project Partners: Council District 15.

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Reseda Boulevard

Office of: Office — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 07:02:08 +0000

We reimagined the sidewalks of Reseda Boulevard through design that activates public space and creates a more vibrant business corridor.

As part of Mayor Garcetti’s Great Streets Initiative, this short-term, creative place-making project re-imagines Reseda Blvd. to create a pedestrian-oriented street with the intent of spurring social and economic synergy and vitality along the corridor.

Keeping this vision in mind, our team completed innovative sidewalk patterning, street furniture, and facade under-awning improvements on four blocks along Reseda.

These piloted designs were based on a community workshop and interviews with key stakeholders. The project area was Reseda Boulevard between Nordhoff and Gresham St.

Project Partners: Office of Councilmember Mitchell Englander and Northridge Sparkle.

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Great Streets Challenge

Office of: Office — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 06:38:16 +0000

A project to offer professional technical assistance as a resource to help re-imagine main streets across Los Angeles.

Serving as the economic development consultants for all seven winners ,our team provided design and strategic resources directed by the priorities and values set forth by the community partners to promote economic development along the selected project areas.

Pop-up project winning community partners received either local business maps to highlight nearby businesses and cultural destinations or event passports encouraging attendees and community members to explore playful demonstrations of potential pedestrian safety strategies.

We continued working with the build project winners through 2018 to develop design strategies and pilot initiatives to promote local economic development alongside the City’s $1.5 million investment in larger infrastructural changes.

Project Partners: Great Streets Studio, MIG, LADOT Artist in Residence Alan Nakagawa.

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Pacoima Street Values

Office of: Office — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 06:06:51 +0000

We supported informal sidewalk activity to enhance community engagement.

Pacoima Street Values was a project to support, celebrate, and enhance the ways businesses make streets in Los Angeles great through informal activities. This project was a recipient of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Great Streets Challenge Grant.

A wide ranging public outreach effort was undertaken along Van Nuys Boulevard to identify businesses to partner with in this effort. Custom designed furniture and improvements were then developed to meet the needs of five businesses and improve the public realm for everyone who comes to the boulevard.

The improvements ranged from public seating with signage to merchandise display, which facilitated strategies around City rules and ensured the sidewalk became a place of both economic and social activity.

The materials used for this project feature “off the shelf” products that are affordable and easily replicable. As a result, businesses facing similar issues informal sidewalk use along the street and in other areas can fashion their own informal sidewalk designs using this pilot project as an example.

Project Partners: Pacoima Beautiful.

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Backyard Basics

Office of: Office — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 05:06:05 +0000

An Alternative Story for the Accessory Dwelling Unit.

Our exhibit is focused on promoting greater housing affordability in Elysian Valley along the Los Angeles River.

In Elysian Valley, also known as Frogtown, the rising tide of speculation along the Los Angeles River brings into question the nature of new development and if future projects can and should support housing, affordability and mixed-use.

Currently, the only proposed strategies for increasing residential density in Elysian Valley are developer-led apartment complexes, sporadic insertions of live-work spaces into the manufacturing zone, and isolated construction of illegal Accessory Dwelling Units, also known as granny flats. Our exhibit reconsidered the ADU, also known as Accessory Dwelling Units or granny flats, as an alternative strategy for resident-led affordable housing. As a series of strategies grounded on cooperative development, combined entitlements, and consolidated service.

Our exhibit also featured policy recommendations for ADUs that has the potential to transform the existing environment of unpermitted and unrealized housing in Los Angeles.

Venue: The A+D Museum.

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