Prototypes & What’s Possible for Los Angeles Housing

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This past May, we participated in the Small Lots, Big Impacts design competition, hosted by cityLAB UCLA. For us, this was an opportunity to reimagine dense housing on underutilized, city-owned lots in Los Angeles. Our submission was centered around creating replicable housing models that integrate social infrastructure, ecological systems, and regulatory innovation—key ingredients for addressing affordability, resilience, and long-term neighborhood stability.

At Danielian, we view this kind of conceptual work as more than an entry in a design challenge—it’s part of a larger, ongoing commitment to supporting housing needs across Los Angeles. Alongside forward-looking prototypes like this, we’re engaged in projects that respond directly to community needs, including designing rebuilds for residents affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires and creating a modular library of concepts originating from our iDA Lab that fire victims can choose from as part of their rebuilding process.

Our efforts don’t stop there. Through our iDA Lab, we’re designing innovative approaches that leverage SB-9 lot splits and ADU legislation to make the most of Los Angeles’ limited land resources. A couple of these projects are already under construction in the Santa Monica area, pioneering new ways to maximize limited lot sizes while introducing gentle density. Each residence is designed to feel naturally integrated into the neighborhood fabric, proving that efficiency and community connection can go hand in hand.

Whether through competition entries, disaster recovery efforts, or exploring new construction models, we’re committed to contributing solutions that strengthen Los Angeles’ housing ecosystem—solutions that can be adapted, scaled, and built upon to meet the diverse needs of the city’s residents today and in the future.

Turning ideas into impact.
Our unbuilt concepts are more than exercises in design—they’re stepping stones toward housing that’s affordable, resilient, and built for community. If you share our vision for better urban living, let’s explore how we can bring the next project to life together. Connect with us →