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Blackbirds housing

Nestled in Los Angeles hills, the Blackbirds units designed by Barbara Bestor are a proposal for quality dense housing in a city with little available land, where community and native landscape encounter.

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, Echo Park neighborhood, Los Angeles, 2017

Designed by architect Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds is a cluster of eighteen homes nestled in the bohemian hills of Los Angeles’ Echo Park neighborhood, mimicking the early 20th century craftsman cabins of the area. Blackbirds is a progressive design proposal for high quality dense housing in a city with little available land.

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, Echo Park neighborhood, Los Angeles, 2017

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, view from the hill

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, view of the single units

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, view from the common courtyard

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, evening view from the common courtyard

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, evening view from the hilltop

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, evening view from the street towards Los Angeles Downtown

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, evening view from the street

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, evening view from the courtyard

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, aereal view 1

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, aereal view 2

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, aereal view 3

The houses are under 585 square meters and are built around a living street: a central courtyard that comprises both landscape and parking areas, as well as serving as the stage for larger community functions and play. Blackbirds is an experimental urban living where community, native landscaping, and design encounter, to obtain a higher quality of life within an urban context.

Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, aereal view with downtown LA on the background — Barbara Bestor, Blackbirds houses, aereal view with downtown Los Angeles on the background

The design combines several houses into a single house shaped volume. This conceals the actual density of units by maintaining the neighborhood shape and landscape context across the 33 hectare site. The houses are situated in a drought tolerant landscape with mature trees, while the resulting neighborhood is a blend of private, semi-private and public space, and promotes connections with neighbors and the community.