SuperBungalows in Los Angeles "radically reconsiders" housing

Panelised building components made of mass timber were used to construct a residential building by SuperLA, a design and development firm that views "homes as products" rather than bespoke architectural projects.

Called SuperBungalows on Marathon, the nine-unit apartment building is located on a sloped site in Los Angeles's Silver Lake neighbourhood.

The project was created by SuperLA, a local design and development firm. The company was started by entrepreneur Aaron van Schaik, who has worked in the real estate industry in his native Australia, along with New York.

SuperBungalows is the first completed project by the company, which aims to "radically reconsider how housing is produced around the world".

To speed up the design, permitting and construction process, founder van Schaik believes in "treating homes as products, rather than one-off projects".

His firm has created a system that "can be dropped into place" using prefabricated panelised building components. The design prioritises natural light, fresh air, eco-friendly materials (including mass timber) and cost-effective construction methods.

"His primary goal is to productise and panelise the architectural design process – shifting it from a piecemeal procedure in which each new project requires a new architect, a new path through city planning, a new contractor and tons of money – to a streamlined replicable approach," the team said.

The system was used to create SuperBungalows, which is rectangular in plan and rises four levels. The bottom level is partly underground and reserved for parking. The building also has a rooftop terrace.

A hybrid system of mass timber and light-frame wood was used to construct the building. This is the first time this type of system has been used for a multifamily project in southern California, according to the team.

Floors, walkway panels and the roof are made of cross-laminated timber. The vertical structural system consists of glued-laminated posts and beams combined with light-frame wood. The building is supported by a concrete foundation.

The exterior is clad with a type of ceramic-coated, fibre-cement siding known for its durability, recyclability and design flexibility.

"It also features a photocatalytic coating that helps purify the air, delivering the same pollution-fighting power as 68 poplar trees on a 10,000-square-foot (929-square-metres) building," the team said.

Exterior fencing is made of cedar slats, which "give off a pleasant, natural scent near the entryway". Planter walls are capped with broken-up pieces of recycled concrete, called urbanite.

The building offers six one-bedroom rental units and three with two bedrooms. Each unit is separated by walkways and terraces to ensure there are no shared walls.

"This layout reimagines the traditional bungalow courts, offering both privacy and a distinctive living experience," the team said.

Apartments feature an open-concept area for cooking, dining and lounging, designed to maximise space and establish a feeling of openness. The two-bedroom units have room for a dining table, while the one-bedroom units utilize the kitchen island counter for dining.

"Spacious terraces, along with large operable windows, invite abundant natural light and air into the homes while creating a seamless connection to nature," the team added.

Earthy materials also provide a connection to nature and promote a healthy indoor environment.

Cabinetry in the kitchen and bedrooms is made of maple plywood sourced from sustainably managed forests and sealed with a zero-VOC, bio-based polyurethane.

Kitchen countertops are made of recycled quartz. Backsplashes are clad in porcelain tile with rectified edges, allowing for a thin grout line. Structural mass timber panels were left exposed.

For finishes, fixtures and appliances, SuperLA used a brand partnership model, in which it teamed up with established and emerging brands to offer details "rarely seen in multifamily housing".

Apartments feature Fisher & Paykel appliances, lighting by RBW, cork flooring by Capri, plywood from Roseburg, tile by Mosa, and Pella windows. The building is all-electric, and most of its energy is generated via solar panels.

Van Schaik hopes to use the SuperBungalows on Marathon project as a case study, showing an approach to housing that is humane, efficient and replicable.

"Approaching the construction of complex multifamily projects this way reduces construction costs and time, increases efficiency, and allows for replication in multiple neighbourhoods, cities and states," said SuperLA.

"By pre-designing our homes as set products, optimising our team, panelizing our builds and partnering with amazing brands, we're able to build smarter and more efficiently."

Other innovative approaches to multifamily housing in LA include a row of sculptural metal-clad homes by LOHA that explore possibilities for the "small lot subdivision typology", and a cluster of house-shaped volumes, each containing several residences, that was designed by Bestor Architecture as an example of "stealth density".

The photography is by Madeline Tolle.

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