Brooks + Scarpa has completed Luna Vista, a 74-unit affordable housing community in North Hills, Los Angeles, designed to provide stability, safety, and connection for residents, including recently homeless and low-income households.
The 76,983-square-foot development is anchored by a central courtyard and community room, creating a social heart for the building and increasing visibility for residents. Generous open space at the rear—made possible by placing the garage underground and outside this area—supports mature trees and on-site stormwater management, offering a planted oasis shielded from street noise.
The design responds to an irregular lot by breaking down the front façade with an “eyebrow” canopy that frames the entry, while angled rear walls capture views and bring variety to the massing. Two pedestrian entrances connect to a landscaped, pedestrian-oriented façade that maintains openness while providing secure access. Materials were selected for durability and minimal upkeep, with integral-color plaster and cement board panels adding depth and texture. Tall, patterned windows articulate the exterior, while south-facing window boxes serve as sunshades and privacy screens.
Inside, the double-loaded corridor layout maximizes density, with one-bedroom units averaging 518 square feet and two-bedrooms averaging 840 square feet. The ground floor also includes community and support spaces, reinforcing the building’s role as a social anchor.
Sustainable features—enhanced insulation, a reflective roof, high-efficiency heat-pump systems, EV charging stations, and solar-ready infrastructure—cut energy use by at least 7% over 2016 Title 24 standards.
Located across from North Hills Community Park, Luna Vista carries the park’s sense of openness into the site, integrating landscape from front to rear and offering residents both connection to and refuge from the surrounding city.
