Southwest Discovery Community

My concept is the rediscovery of the past to initiate a restoration process of the Mount Washington community.

In the present, there has been a disconnect of historical roots of the community, with the closure of the Southwest museum. In addition, with the continued and growing use of the historic freeway, it has only contributed to the destruction of the current urban and natural environment, a past mistake that must be addressed. By reconnecting with the area’s rich cultural and historical roots, I want to encourage the community to look into their past, to re-capture the character of the neighborhood to promote a conscious future.

Through my affordable housing project, the restoration process cultivates a launch of rebuilding the community. By developing a site ”re-discovered”, an improved destination along the Metro A Line, it creates a community through public programs and housing for families. With this idea of densifying suburbia for urban renewal and environment restoration, it ensures the neighborhood is sustainable by creating educational opportuntities and to improve the local environment. This process isn’t just about preserving what was—it’s about reimagining a future for a significant neighborhood.

Supplies and tools I used to make the physical model and Digital 3d Model includes:

1. White PLA filament
2. 3d Printer
3. Box Cutter
4. Xacto Knife
5. Tacky Glue
6. Foamboard
7. Chipboard
8. Gaming Laptop

1. I selected my site to be located at 4585 N Figueroa St in Los Angeles.
2. It's currently not an empty lot and has a medical facility on the site, but it is proposed to be the next upcoming Transit Oriented Development TOD for the Southwest Museum Station on the Metro A Line, due to its proximity to the Southwest Museum Station.
3. Ultimately aimed to densify suburbia, it is specifically set in a suburban neighborhood to connect with the Metro Light Rail, to become aTOD project, and to ultimately to create a Transit Oriented Community (TOC). This would make it affordable, access to public transportation.
4. Mount Washington, nestled in the San Rafael Hills of Northeast Los Angeles, is a serene neighborhood known for its strong sense of community. It attracts artists, professionals, and families who appreciate its peaceful atmosphere and historic charm. The area features scenic hiking trails along the Arroyo Seco, landmarks like the Southwest Museum,Casa De Adobe, and Arroyo Seco Parkway. It has a mix of modern and historic homes, like at Heritage Square Museum and Bungalow Haven. It also has various community amenties such as child care center, schools, community center, parks, etc.

The Mount Washington community, nestled in Northeast Los Angeles, is a vibrant and historically rich area that has flourished over the past century. Over the last 100 years, it has been a focal point for environmental conservation, urban development, and even artistic movements. Its winding paths and historic monuments connect Mount Washington to broader narratives of both environmental stewardship and the challenges of urbanization.

The Arroyo Seco Parkway

1. The Arroyo Seco Parkway, also known as the 110 Pasadena Freeway, was the first freeway in the United States. Officially opened in 1940, it was designed to connect Los Angeles with Pasadena, running alongside the Arroyo Seco seasonal river. Initially praised for its innovative design, it has left behind a destructive legacy with unintended consequences:
2. Freeway systems have led to significant environmental degradation by altering ecosystems, affecting rivers, forests, and wildlife habitats. They contribute to air pollution toxins having long-term effects on climate change and public health. Additionally, noise pollution from heavy traffic impacts both humans and wildlife, creating further ecological challenges.
3. Freeways have fueled the phenomenon of urban sprawl. By providing easy access to previously undeveloped areas, they have encouraged cities to expand outward, rather than growing in a higher density. This outward expansion has led to a proliferation of suburban developments that often lack efficient public transportation, reinforcing dependency on automobiles. As a result, open lands, farmland, and green spaces have been consumed by sprawling residential and commercial developments, forever altering the natural and cultural landscapes.
4. Perhaps the most devastating impact of freeways has been on communities, particularly marginalized ones. The construction of major freeway networks frequently involved the displacement of entire neighborhoods, as homes, businesses, and cultural landmarks were demolished to make way for the roadways. These displacements disproportionately affected communities of color and low-income residents, leaving lasting scars and deepening existing social inequities. Many of these affected neighborhoods lost their sense of cohesion and identity, and in some cases, have never fully recovered.
5. Freeways stand as reminders of the cost of prioritizing cars over communities and the environment. Their creation has led to many problems that have trickled down to the current generation. It was more devastating than initially envisioned.

The Southwest Museum

1. The Southwest Museum was the first museum in Los Angeles. It was founded in 1907 by Charles Fletcher Lummis, a journalist, historian, and preservationist who was passionate about conserving the cultural heritage of Native Americans and the American Southwest. The museum held the second-largest collection of indigenous art and artifacts in the country. From its creation, Lummis’ values were centered on preservation, to preserve a culture, a history, and an environment.
2. Although the Southwest Museum still stands, the museum ceased operating full-time, closing to the public in September of 2022. The dream of Lummis has been dissolved with the closure of the Southwest Museum and the relocation of the artifacts. The building is vacant till further notice, becoming a victim of urban decay.

Both projects were first of its kind, but drastically different in what each represents. The freeway represents destruction, while the Southwest Museum represents preservation.

Images sourced from Arroy Seco parkway Wiki and SouthWest Museum Wiki

1. Mount Washington, has a population of 13,319 and is known for its diverse community. The racial composition includes 46% White, 36% Hispanic, 11% Asian, 5% two or more races, and 2% African American. The area has a median household income of $125,702, with 43% of households earning over $150,000. Education levels are relatively high, with 24% holding a master's degree or higher and 29% having a bachelor's degree. The neighborhood is home to a mix of families, young professionals, and long-time residents, contributing to its vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
2. Mount Washington, experiences a Mediterranean climate (Csa) characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The neighborhood sees average high temperatures ranging from 69°F (December) to 85°F (September) and low temperatures between 48°F (January) and 65°F (July-August). Precipitation is seasonal, with the highest monthly average occurring in January (3.5 inches) and minimal rainfall during the summer months. The area benefits from moderate humidity levels, though air quality can be affected by urban pollution. Overall, Mount Washington enjoys comfortable year-round weather, making it ideal for outdoor activities and residential living.

To enrich my design approach, I explored housing projects from architects across the world, analyzing specific details that informed my thought process. I examined innovative massing strategies, unit layouts, and site integration methods from both contemporary and historical developments. By studying facade treatments, circulation patterns, and material choices, I gained a deeper understanding of how different architects address density, sustainability, and livability. This research helped me refine my own ideas, ensuring that my project was both functionally and aesthetically thoughtful.

1. Case Study House #20: Buff, Straub, & Hensman, 1958 - This single family residence home, although not multifamily it taught me a valuable lesson on how to use regulating lines and poche to create spaces, the parti. Spaces such as where to place an open floor plan living room vs a wet room like a bathroom.
2. Eda Apartments (Proj.), Yokohama, 2002 - This proposed apartment complex, developed as a mat typology, was an inspiration of what type of architectural typologies are in housing according to Roger Sherwood: Modern Housing Prototypes. It was an exploration of what type massing I could use for a Housing Project.
3. Casa In Maia, Eduardo Souto De Moura, 2001 - This project was a study on plan making and tectonics of the building. Working with a smaller footprint, Moura’s technical expertise to fit as many units efficiently. In addition, the tectonics of what type of construction is it made of and what was the materiality of the facade, was also considered when studyinh this building.

Images Sourced from Google Images

Autodesk Forma is a powerful tool for conceptual design, helping me explore different possibilities for unit count, massing variations, and site relationships efficiently. It allowed me to create multiple design proposals by designing buildings in various shapes and also to foresee the number of floors, floor heights, and assign functions to each building, making it easier to visualize density and layout.

My massing strategy was to use fragmented pieces on a mat typology. These fragmented pieces, represented as uncovered artifacts like shards of pottery, are rediscovered for the restoration process. In between these artifacts, this conveys a sense of discovery, allowing for circulation paths, courtyards, and exposed spaces.

I am also utilizing a terracing scheme to match the scale of existing homes within the community, and to address the slope of the site.

The next step I took was from conceptual massing, was to transform it into Revit model. Using my previous knowledge of Revit, I was able to develop it from scratch. Once inside Revit, I refined the massing further by applying detailed architectural elements, adjusting materials, and integrating structural components. From there I was able to create the bones for the floor plans, sections, elevations, etc. This was used as my “base” for all the drawings I want to complete. In addition to using techniques I used before, I experimented with new functions I have never used before, such as worksets to develop layers, central modeling, road design, and adding furniture families using Revit Add-Ons.

For the housing project, I utilized Type V construction, seamlessly integrating a concrete terraced podium to create a strong, stable base that enhances both durability and aesthetic appeal. Beneath this elevated structure, a thoughtfully designed parking facility is tucked away, maximizing space efficiency while maintaining the integrity of the overall design. Above, the residential portion embraces sustainability through wooden construction, using its environmental benefits and natural warmth to complement the surrounding landscape. The façade showcases a blend of recycled Arroyo Seco stone and wood siding, a deliberate choice to emphasize both resilience and visual character. The stone lends a sense of permanence and local authenticity, while the wood siding softens the structure, creating an inviting architectural expression.

1. I created a circulation strategy that offers an experience from the train station to Figueroa St that conveys a sense of discovery, allowing for a main circulation path up the terraced landscape. This main path of travel would branch off to smaller paths to allow for access to housing units.
2. Because I had a side street, Woodside Drive, I wanted to place townhouses on that street to have access to the garages. In addition, there is an alleyway on Figueroa St for parking structure access.
3. Using AutoCAD, I adjusted the floor plan, placing furniture, cleaning up line weights, placing labels, and placing dimensions.

The elevations and sections accomplished using the Revit Model imported to AutoCAD. I drafted the lines, placed furniture, cleaned up line weights, placed labels, and placed dimensions. I wanted to showcase the terraced and fragmented nature behind the design.

For this multifamily housing project, it has 75% Residential and 25% commercial. The most “Public Program” would be on the ground floor, accessible to people living in the housing complex as well as the community. It is the driving factor of the project, cultivating the restoration process, to rebuild the community.

Public Program

1. Discovery Center - The Mt. Washington Discovery Center could serve as an inspiring educational hub for children, combining hands-on learning in science, technology, art, and environmental studies with opportunities to explore the community's history. In the Los Angeles Area, the Discovery Center would be a great fit due to the nearest center is in orange county, over an hour drive away. By connecting young minds with the past, the center could foster an understanding of local heritage while encouraging critical thinking and creativity. At the same time, programs in sustainability—such as workshops on conservation, renewable energy, and eco-friendly practices—would empower the younger generation to build a more sustainable future.
2. Visitor Center- A Mount Washington visitor center would serve as a hub for exploring the community’s natural beauty, history, and recreational opportunities. It could provide resources like maps, guides, and educational exhibits, highlighting the mountain's ecological and geological significance. The center might also promote conservation efforts and serve as a gathering space for community events and tourism, benefiting both visitors and local businesses.
3. Art Exhibit - A Mount Washington exhibit celebrates the historical significance, artistic inspiration, outdoor recreation, and conservation efforts. It might include interactive displays, art installations, historical artifacts, and educational workshops to create an engaging and educational experience for visitors.
4. Cafe - Cafés are spaces that serve not just coffee and food but also create a welcoming atmosphere for connection, creativity, and relaxation.
5. Discovery Point - The Observation Tower at the center of the housing project, this icon of the site functions as the highlight of the discovery center, a place of lookout to the Arroyo Seco. In addition, it is a place for discovery, to look out to the stars for research purposes. Symbolically, it points upward like a spire, representing a future for the community and is angled to point toward the Southwest Museum to honor its past.

Developed as a Multifamily complex, with 3 stories and 50 living units, the project has modular units with unique identities. With a range of units crafted for families and artists, the plan layout is dedicated to the future living of the southwest community. Types of Units Include:

1. Studio
2. Two Bed
3. Three Bed
4. Townhouses

The program within each unit is the Living Room, Kitchen/Dining, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, and garage space in the townhomes, providing enough spaces for the residents.

With environmental restoration, there is a conscious initiative to shift the land use back towards its natural environment, the Arroyo Seco. Nature will reclaim space. By using earthwork, I will shape the landscape on the site, using native plants and trees to “greenwash” the housing project. This represents the naturalization of the environment.

1. Native Trees and Plants - Trees in the Mt. Washington communities play a vital role in removing significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through growth and the sequestration of carbon in their woody and foliar biomass. This would remediate the particulate matter caused by nearby Pasadena 110 freeway.

To create the render I wanted to further develop my skills with the built-in plug-in of Twinmotion. I wanted to try this software program I wasn’t familiar with, as I only used this a couple times. I wanted to experiment and try something new to create a realistic render to capture the scale of the housing project. I tried out the textures, 3d assets, lighting, sun, and the path tracing feature to capture exterior and interior views of my project. I also used photoshop to do some touch up work adding site context, landscaping, etc.

1. I set up my file for 3d print in Rhino, by setting up the 3D geometry and scaling it down to 1/16th scale for 3d print.
2. Using my Creality 3d printer, I printed the building and added the finishing touches to make it a clean model. I used Ultimaker software to print.

This project was a great workout for my architecture design process. I enjoyed working on this affordable housing project, as it gave me an opportunity to continue my work from my Architecture studio class. I learned how to develop a housing project as it may help me in the professional realm. I was able to refine my skills in Autodesk software like Revit, AutoCAD, Forma, and Twinmotion. It will also provide an outstanding addition to my portfolio. This housing project provided a valuable experience to learn how to overcome design challenges with an ambitious idea.

Thank you panel for considering my project. I hope you appreciated the journey I took to bring the Southwest Discovery Community to fruition.