Project 04

Arch 517 Final Drawing
Professor: Teddy Slowik

Arch 605A Final
Professor: Amanda Ortland

The Perch is a communal living apartment located just east of Downtown Los Angeles, situated in a vibrant, historically Hispanic neighborhood. Designed as a reimagining of urban collective living, the project prioritizes social connectivity and cultural resonance through shared architectural experiences.

Rooted in the spirit of Los Angeles, the design draws subtle inspiration from the Art Deco era while incorporating symbolic references to the sun—a powerful motif in many Latin cultures representing life, warmth, and unity. The building’s stacked massing centers around a glowing vertical atrium, crowned by a sculptural spiral staircase that acts as both a circulation core and a communal beacon, encouraging daily interaction and visual connection across floors.

Outdoor spaces are central to the project’s ethos. Each unit connects to a system of private, shared, and communal balconies—tiered perches that provide layered experiences of the city. These sunlit platforms not only expand living spaces outward but also evoke the rhythm of solar movement through light, shade, and view.

By weaving cultural symbolism, climatic responsiveness, and collective living strategies, The Perch celebrates the energy of its neighborhood while offering residents a fresh, elevated way to experience Los Angeles.