Our Los Angeles Chinatown project presented us with many new challenges in a very realistic project. CRA/LA, the redevelopment agency in charge of the project, asked our group to study three blocks in LA's Chinatown. We converted them into a medium-density mixed-use neighborhood with over 850 new dwelling units, 100,000 square feet of retail, many community and civic functions, and several new parks.

My individual building is a mixed-use retail and apartment building on the northwest corner of the site. The façade is composed of river rock and wood balconies, and evokes the traditional Chinese focus on horizontality. The building shifts in height to respect both the lower buildings to the west and taller buildings to the east, and uses hanging Chinese lanterns to terminate a major pedestrian walkway through the site. The accessible green roof features views of Los Angeles' skyline.