Thank you for making us all proud!
Results were recently announced for the 2023 Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge. Mogavero Architects is honored to be shortlisted and recognized as a winning design amongst other esteemed global firms.
Our team of designers collaborated and introduced a stellar approach to tackle LA’s housing crisis. As the city grapples with skyrocketing rents, gentrification, and expensive starter homes, affordable housing for lower-income households has become increasingly scarce. The Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge, the 16th installment of Buildner’s affordable housing competition series, welcomed international architects and design enthusiasts to submit inventive solutions to address Los Angeles’s housing plight.
The competition called for an adaptable-focused design where site and scale were not intentionally specified. The ideal project would challenge typical housing norms while maintaining practicality and utilizing sustainable materials. Replicability on various scales was also a requirement of the winning design. Our team was prompted to go beyond photovoltaics and to explore new materials, one of which being the RSG-3D Panel System, an extremely durable, resilient, and energy-efficient alternative for the exterior and interior walls which would also be utilizing carbon negative cement to fill. This allows the project to provide a high-quality product that balances sustainability, durability, construction schedule and design.
An inherent tension in the design process was balancing the competing goals of a unique sense of place and community feel, while having a flexible and adaptable prototype that could be utilized in various contexts and scales. It was important to the team to incorporate the sense of place and belonging that Mogavero projects are known for, features such as farmer’s markets, shared mobility pathways, ample green spaces and most importantly, community spaces of various scale and hierarchy. These are critical elements that transform a project from a place to live, to a real home, and empower residents to write their own stories and make the project their own.
Site selection was therefore a critical part of the process. Mogavero analyzed various conditions regarding connectivity, existing services and amenities, and a housing/job imbalance to ultimately land on the final site.
Design inspiration came from a broad variety of precedents, including Habitat 67, a Modular building in Montreal, QB. The tiered, almost “Lego-like” design of that project was visually striking, but also balanced the need for community and a sense of place for the residents.
The submission (below) displays the design process, showcasing stages from inspiration to final form. Mass extraction opens the courtyard, fostering an inclusive atmosphere with connected green patios, corridors for interaction, and various connection points throughout the building.
This outstanding submission secured its place on the shortlist among a select group of exceptionally talented designers. Beyond the recognition, the real victory lies in the inspiration gleaned and the insights into innovative sustainable materials, some of which are already being implemented in an upcoming project here in Sacramento.
