john v. mutlow, faia, architects, los angeles
West Boulevard’s boldly striped entry and mix of unit types captured the judges’ attention and imagination. “Anybody who has the guts to design that entry gets my vote,” said one. Architect John Mutlow says the Dr. Seuss-style stripes and exaggerated roof on the project’s entry perform multiple duties. “The other buildings on the street are vividly colored,” he says. “The stripes are a way of referencing that context. I also wanted the beginning and end of the building to be clearly articulated; that’s why the other end is painted purple.”
Other important factors in the project’s design include an interior courtyard where the residents can socialize, and an edge condition at the street similar to that of the surrounding buildings. Mutlow combined 12 one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom apartments, and six two-bedroom townhouses to create a vibrant community that proudly defies convention.
project architect: John V. Mutlow, FAIA, John V. Mutlow, FAIA, Architects
developer: Noel Sweitzer, Freeway Redevelopment, Los Angeles
general contractor: Abe Fassberg, Fassberg Construction, Encino, Calif.
landscape architect: Arnold Swanborn, Lord Swanborn, Los Angeles
interior designer: John V. Mutlow, FAIA, Architects
project size: 540 to 897 square feet per unit
site size: .54 acre
construction cost: $90 per square foot
rental price: One-third of adjusted gross income (ranges from $150/month to $350/month per unit)
units in project: 20
photographer: Michael Arden Photography
