Los Angeles mixed-use building uses prefabricated wood frame to reduce costs

A new six-story residential building in Los Angeles provides 82 units in a tight 182-foot by 127-foot lot. The design of the building put an emphasis on natural light and using its small space as efficiently as possible.

The ground floor of The Line Lofts is concrete, but floors two through six use prefabricated wood framing to reduce costs and shorten the construction schedule. The facade is a combination of corrugated metal and plaster. The metal panels were designed as a rainscreen system to provide a more breathable and energy-efficient exterior skin.

Photo: Bruce Damonte.

Throughout the interior are multiple vertical multi-floor connections. The second and third floors are linked, the fifth and sixth are joined, and an open-to-sky “courtyard” merges with the sixth floor. Egress stairs were moved to the exterior to free up more interior space and encourage residents to use the stairs as alternative building circulation.

Photo: Bruce Damonte.

Amenity areas include a workspace and wet bar in the lobby, a courtyard pool, a pool lounge recreation room with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and a sky lounge that tops the building.

Apartment units are available in studio, one-, and two-bedroom layouts of both single and two-level. Units range from 480 sf to 1,265 sf. The project also includes a 1,100-sf ground floor retail unit. SPF:architects designed the $21 million, 68,000-sf building.

Photo: Bruce Damonte.

Photo: Lauren Moore.

Photo: Bruce Damonte.