62nd Street/Sunnyside

Photographer Credit: LEHRER ARCHITECTS LA, INC.

Architecture Firm Credit: LEHRER ARCHITECTS LA, INC.

See Full Credit List Below

TOUR DETAILS

Purposeful in both form and mission, Sunnyside meets the City’s goals for delivering thoughtful, compact urban housing while reinforcing neighborhood identity at a key intersection. The architecture maximizes livability through smart unit planning, natural light, and supportive shared spaces—demonstrating how small units can still create big impact on resident comfort and well being. The tour will take approximately 60 minutes.

TOUR HOST

Michael B. Lehrer, FAIA – Founder & President, LEHRER ARCHITECTS

Board of Directors Gold Medal Recipient – The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles

Michael B. Lehrer, FAIA, founded LEHRER ARCHITECTS LA in his native Silverlake District of Los Angeles. His work—ranging from intimate spaces to major civic projects—is rooted in the belief that beauty is essential to human dignity. With a deep reverence for light, space, and community, his architecture seeks to elevate the everyday and cultivate joy as a profound design value. LEHRER ARCHITECTS LA’s portfolio spans institutional, commercial, industrial, residential, and urban design. Sustainability and thrivability are central to the practice, expressing “the beauty of performance and the performance of beauty.” The firm is committed to nurturing creativity, both internally and in collaboration with clients. In 2020, the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles awarded Michael its Gold Medal, the chapter’s highest honor, recognizing his devotion to humanity and his mastery of craft. The firm has earned over 150 major design and sustainability awards, including more than 50 from AIA chapters nationwide. Signature projects—such as Lehrer Architects’ Studio, the Downtown Homeless Drop-In Center, and the LA County Elections Operations Center—have received the prestigious AIA Institute Honor Award, the nation’s top architectural recognition. Notably, the Water + Life Museum in Hemet, designed with Mark Gangi, AIA, became the world’s first LEED™ Platinum museum. Michael’s work is widely published and frequently featured in national and international media. He lectures extensively at universities and conferences and has been especially recognized for his firm’s pioneering houseless shelter projects, including Los Angeles’ acclaimed Tiny Homes Villages. A leader in civic engagement, Michael has served in numerous influential roles, including Chairman Emeritus of the Harvard GSD Alumni Council, President of AIA Los Angeles, and long-time member of multiple civic design review boards. Educated at UC Berkeley and Harvard, he became a Fellow of the AIA in 2004.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Learn How Infill Housing Can Strengthen Urban Neighborhoods
Visitors will understand how compact, ground up development on a small vacant lot can deliver high impact housing and contribute to community revitalization at the street and neighborhood scale.

2. Observe Efficient Residential Planning for Small Footprint Units
Guests gain insight into the design strategies—such as layout planning, daylighting, circulation, and building systems—that make 300 SF studios functional, livable, and dignified.

3. Explore Interdisciplinary Coordination in Affordable Housing Delivery
Tour participants will see how architects, engineers, landscape designers, and consultants collaborate to address structure, accessibility, hazardous materials, building maintenance, and performance within a fixed budget.

4. Understand the Role of Cost Effective Construction Systems
Visitors will learn why wood frame construction is used for mid rise housing in Los Angeles, how it meets code requirements, and how it supports affordability without sacrificing safety or quality.

TOUR MEETING SPOT

Location Address: 1408 W 62nd St Los Angeles, CA 90047

Meet at the entrance.

PARKING

To follow

FULL CREDIT LIST (Architects, Builders, Engineers, etc.)

• ARCHITECT – LEHRER ARCHITECTS LA, INC.
• LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT – STUDIO MLA
• STRUCTURAL ENGINEER – NOUS ENNEINEERING
• MEP ENGINEER – CEG ENGINEERING (CREATIVE ENGINEERING GROUP)