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02GUIDELINE 2: CAREFULLY INCORPORATE VEHICULARACCESS SUCH THAT IT DOES NOT DISCOURAGEAND/OR INHIBIT THE PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE.Design to avoid pedestrian and vehicular conflicts and to create an inviting and comfortablepublic right-of-way. A pleasant and welcoming public realm reinforces walkability and improvesthe quality of life for users.BEST PRACTICESSite Planning Prioritize pedestrian access first and automobileaccess second. Orient parking and drivewaystoward the rear or side of buildings and awayfrom the public right-of-way. On corner lots,parking should be oriented as far from the corneras possible. Orient vehicular access as far from streetintersections as possible. Place drive-thru elements away fromintersections and avoid placing them so thatthey create a barrier between the sidewalk andbuilding entrance(s). Minimize both the number of driveway entrancesand overall driveway widths. Ensure that loading areas do not interfere withon-site pedestrian and vehicular circulation byseparating loading areas and larger commercialvehicles from areas that are used for publicparking and public entrances. Do not locate drop-off/pick-up areasbetween principal building entrances and theadjoining sidewalks.Right-of-Way Identify opportunities to incorporate “living”and/or “complete” street style improvementsinto the abutting street area. Utilize alleys and/or side streets for vehicularaccess where appropriate in lieu of interruptinga primary street with driveway entrances.Above Left: Minimizing vehicular entrancesimproves the overall pedestrian experience.Photo Credit: KFA ArchitectureAbove: Utilizing the alleys for accessand loading allows for an uninterruptedpedestrian realm on primary streets.Left: A Living Street is a street designed toenhance environmental benefits whilemaking the surrounding areas more livable,walkable and healthier.Resources: Fitwel: http://fitwel.org/ NACTO Design / Complete Streets Design eStreetDesignGuide.pdf LADOT’s Driveway Design Guide: ITYP 123016-DRIVEWAY%20DESIGN.PDF.pdf Bureau of Engineering- B-Permit CaseManagement: http://engpermits.lacity.org/bpermits/ Design Resource 1: Living Strees: planning4la.org/odoc/UrbanDesign/Soil Depths.pdf1617

03GUIDELINE 3: DESIGN PROJECTS TO ACTIVELYENGAGE WITH STREETS AND PUBLIC SPACE ANDMAINTAIN HUMAN SCALE.New projects should be designed to contribute to a vibrant and attractive public realm thatpromotes a sense of civic pride. Better connections within the built environment contribute to alivable and accessible city and a healthier public realm.BEST PRACTICESBuilding Design Locate active ground floor uses along primarystreet frontages. Avoid long blank walls where pedestrian activityis anticipated. Use architectural elements to reduce theperceived mass of larger projects. Locate the majority of code-required openspace at the ground level in a manner thatis equally accessible to all residential units topromote safety and the use of outdoor areas. Inmid- and high-rise buildings, podiums betweenbuildings and rooftop areas can be used ascommon areas. Enclose or wrap podium parking areaswith active uses, landscaping and/orarchitectural elements. Design and orient buildings to provide users withdirect visual and physical connections to theabutting public rights-of-way. Ensure that ground floor uses maintain a highdegree of transparency and maximize a visualconnection to the street by providing clearand unobstructed windows, free of reflectiveglass coatings, exterior mounted gates, orsecurity grills. Locate windows, balconies and courtyardsto provide views onto sidewalks andgathering spaces.Above Left: Active, transparent ground floorsare a key element of a pleasant sidewalkexperience.Above: A curbside lane on the roadway canbe utilized for bicycle or scooter parking oras a pop-up plaza/parklet to create peopleoriented spaces.Left: Architectural elements and/orlandscape features can be used to screenpodium parking areas and complement thepublic environment.Right-of-Way Employ community-serving assets within thesidewalk area as described in the Great StreetsDIY Guide. Maintain and improve existing alleys withappropriate lighting and other design features(landscaping, art, etc.) to screen blank walls orparking, where space is available. Identify opportunities to utilize the curb lane forone or more of the following: bus boarding pad,bicycle or scooter parking, passenger pick-upand drop-off areas, bicycle lane or parklet, incollaboration with Department of Transportation.Resources: Great Streets DIY Guide:http://lagreatstreets.org/diymanual Advisory Notice Relative to AboveGrade Parking: planning.lacity.org/documents/policy/cpc policies/CPC ANGradeParking.pdf1819

360 DEGREEDESIGNPhoto Credit: Gensler Architecture for Hudson Pacific PropertiesGuideline 4: Organize and shape projects to recognize andrespect surrounding context.360 Degree Design focuses on design techniques that equallyconsider all sides of a building’s use of materials, massing,articulation, and scale. 360 Degree Design demonstratesGuideline 5:Express a clear and coherent architectural idea.that all spaces matter and design should be approachedGuideline 6:Provide amenities that support communitybuilding and provide an inviting, comfortableuser experience.of a city is measured by its relationship to its surroundingGuideline 7:holistically. A project’s contribution to the overall experiencecontext, in all directions.Carefully arrange design elements and usesto protect site users.2021

04GUIDELINE 4: ORGANIZE AND SHAPE PROJECTS TORECOGNIZE AND RESPECT SURROUNDING CONTEXT.New projects should respond to the local area context, the public realmand the relationships with adjacent buildings and should be shaped to consider the quality andfunctionality of the urban fabric.Glass facades embrace light and views,improve connections to the surroundingcontext and can help accentuate thebuilding’s main entrance.Photo Credit: KFA Architecture,Iwan Baan PhotographyBEST PRACTICESSite Planning Lay out the site to ensure that access andbuilding entrances are clearly legible. Locate, design and screen utilities, rooftopequipment, trash enclosures, storage materialsand all noise, and odor generating functionssuch that they do not detract from the overallenvironment. Power lines, transformers, andwireless facilities should be placed undergroundor on rooftops when appropriately screened bya parapet. Locate and shape buildings to minimizedisrupting users of neighboring buildings. Minimize shadows and unnecessary shading onsurrounding buildings, parks and open spaces. Site and shape buildings to maintain publicviews of important structures, places and naturallandscape features. Long expanses of fences should incorporateopenings, changes in materials, texture, and/orlandscaping. Avoid materials such as chain link,wrought iron spears, and barbed wire. Place and shape outdoor space to respond to,and/or connect with, nearby existing parks andopen space areas.An easy to locate, and clearlydistinguishable, building entrance creates awelcoming user experience. Use exterior surface materials that will reduce theincidence and appearance of graffiti.Building Design Modulate building massing vertically andhorizontally to a scale compatible to its context. Use exterior surface materials that will reduce theincidence and appearance of graffiti.View corridors reinforce visual connectionsand shape the city’s identity.Resources: Great Streets DIY Guide:http://lagreatstreets.org/diymanual Advisory Notice Relative to AboveGrade Parking: planning.lacity.org/documents/policy/cpc policies/CPC ANGradeParking.pdf2223

05GUIDELINE 5: EXPRESS A CLEAR AND COHERENTARCHITECTURAL IDEA.The design of the site and the building should have a comprehensiveconcept experienced through scale, proportion, enclosure, and compositional clarity.BEST PRACTICESSite Planning Reinforce the overall design concept through theselection of both plants and hardscape elements.Building Design Shape building design to respond to thesetbacks, fenestration patterns and importanthorizontal datums of adjacent structures. Preserve and restore architectural featuresand materials that are important in defininghistoric character. Incorporate transitions such as landscaping,paving, porches, stoops, and canopies atindividual entrances, and from the sidewalkto the front door. These methods should notprotrude into required yards or negatively impactthe overall street wall. Windows should incorporate well-designed trimsand details. Design lighting to enhance the ground floorenvironment or to emphasize key architecturalfeatures without projecting light into the nightsky. Utilize adequate, uniform, and glare-freelighting, such as dark-sky compliant fixtures, toavoid uneven light distribution, harsh shadows,and light spillage. Select materials and develop façade detailsthat consider the views of the building fromall sides.Above Left: Landscape and hardscapeelements that complement each otherreinforce the site’s design and shapeattractive, welcoming spaces.Above: Materials and treatments helpreinforce the character of the builtenvironment.Left: Transitional spaces, window detailsand landscaping work together to expressa cohesive identity.Resources: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for theTreatment of Historic Properties: nes-2017.pdf Secretary of the Interior’s Standards forRehabilitation: ehab/stand.htm2425

06GUIDELINE 6: PROVIDE AMENITIES THAT SUPPORTCOMMUNITY BUILDING AND PROVIDE AN INVITING,COMFORTABLE USER EXPERIENCE.Design to create livable places and desirable environments where people want to spend timeengaging in social, civic, and recreational activities. Projects that encourage connectionswith a variety of transit modes and enhance their immediate environment with amenitiesare highly encouraged.BEST PRACTICESSite Planning Activate spaces by using benches, lighting,shade structures, trees, lockers and othersupportive amenities. For buildings with six units or more, cluster coderequired common open space areas in a centrallocation, rather than dispersing smaller lessusable areas throughout the site. Collaborate with the Department of CulturalAffairs to identify opportunities to support art andculture in the project area. Incorporate shaded open space such as plazas,courtyards, pocket parks, and terraces in largescale buildings. Integrate intergenerational programming andfeatures that promote and facilitate creativeplay geared to building occupants and visitors. Design open areas to be easily accessible. Integrate bike-sharing and/or electric scooterparking near the public right-of-way. Create diverse and adaptable communitygathering spaces that enhance opportunitiesfor healthy activities such as fitness, play,cooking and gardening to engage participantsof all ages.Above Left: Gathering spaces that allowfor a variety of activities promote humaninteraction and can improve users’ physicaland mental health. Photo Credit: CANNDUNeighborhood CouncilAbove: Hydration stations are a convenientsolution for offering drinking water whilehelping reduce the use of plastic bottles.Left: Outdoor spaces can provideopportunities for creative play.Photo Credit: Ben Feldmann, Studio-MLARight-of-Way Install and maintain hydration stations in hightraffic public spaces.Resources: Department of Cultural Affairs: https://culturela.org/2627

07GUIDELINE 7: CAREFULLY ARRANGE DESIGNELEMENTS AND USES TO PROTECT SITE USERS.Design projects that help protect the health and well-being of their users byreducing exposure to any type of nuisances.BEST PRACTICESSite Planning Consider placing non-habitable uses such asparking structures, mechanical equipment andutilities adjacent to sources of noise and/orpollutants (i.e. freeways, industrial uses). Place habitable building spaces (living/sleepingareas), outdoor amenity areas and balconies asfar from nuisances as possible. Utilize landscaping and/or berms to bufferoccupants from nearby nuisances that emitnoise and/or pollutants.Above: Trees and shrubs are plantedbetween the highway and the buildingto reduce exposure.Left: Plants, berms and other buffers alongmajor roads can help dissipate pollutionand noise.FreewayFREEWAYFreewayFREEWAYAnti-Pollution ARKINGGreenWallGREENPODIUMWALL28Resources: Freeway Adjacency Advisory: pdf29

CLIMATEADAPTED DESIGNGuideline 8: Protect theand features.Guideline 9:site’snaturalresourcesClimate-Adapted Design responds to Los Angeles’exceptional Mediterranean climate as well as rapidlychanging climatic conditions, by reducing the need forConfigure the site layout, building massingand orientation to lower energy demand andincrease the comfort and well-being of users.Guideline 10: Enhance green features to increaseopportunities to capture stormwater andpromote habitat.30imported water, supporting the local habitat and watershed,and limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-AdaptedDesign fosters easy access to the the outdoors, sunlight andbreezes, nourishes habitat, promotes energy efficiency, andenhances the well-being of people.31

08GUIDELINE 8: PROTECT THE SITE’S NATURALRESOURCES AND FEATURES.A city's natural resources improve air and water quality and provide a widearray of benefits to people and the local habitat. Designing to protect natural resources promotesa better quality of life and helps protect the City’s urban ecology, enhancing the health andwell-being of its residents.BEST PRACTICESSite Planning Work with the natural topography of the site toavoid dramatic and unnecessary grade changesor the need for massively scaled retaining walls. Protect existing mature trees and incorporatethem as a design feature. Daylight and protect existing streams includingintermittent stream flows.Right-of-Way Retain existing healthy, mature street trees to theextent possible.Above Left: Mature trees provide shade andyear-round benefit to wildlife.Above: Existing grade changes can beincorporated into the site and/or buildingdesign through landscaping.Left: Mimicking natural hydrology supportshealthy watersheds.3233

09GUIDELINE 9: CONFIGURE THE SITE LAYOUT, BUILDINGMASSING AND ORIENTATION TO LOWER ENERGYDEMAND AND INCREASE THE COMFORT AND WELLBEING OF USERS.June 21 MiddayTrellace FramesRegulate Solar Heat& Filter DaylightingDec 21 MiddayDesign projects to incorporate sustainable design and energy efficiency principles. Encouragingsustainability and innovation contributes to the well-being of current and future generations.Conc. Planters &Stormwater MitigationPhotovoltaicsProvideAlternative EnergySourceRoof Garden& StormwaterMitigationBEST PRACTICESSite Planning Situate buildings to maximize cross-ventilationand daylighting opportunities while minimizingheat gain, especially from the south andwest exposures. Select plants that upon maturity will provide theintended scale, size, and structure. Install a publicly accessible Electric Vehiclecharging station and/or space for car-shareproviders on the project site, if the site andcontext is suitable. Plant trees and/or install shade structures toincrease comfort and provide passive coolingopportunities. Provide canopy trees in plantingareas for shade and energy efficiency, especiallyon south and southwest facing façades. Integrate solar powered lighting to increaseenergy efficiency.Breezes Harvestedthrough Courtyard forCross VentilationBuilding Design Design exit stairwells to be an attractive firstchoice for vertical circulation. Utilize elements such as shallow floorplates,operable windows and light-wells to provideoccupants access to natural cross-ventilationand daylight.The incorporation of multiple sustainable features candramatically increase the building’s performance.Image Credit: Brooks Scarpa Architects, Inc. Install wayfinding signage at all elevator banksto encourage visitors to use the nearest stairway. Employ various shading treatments appropriateto the solar orientation through overhangs,balconies, awnings and/or sunshades. Use white or reflective paint on rooftops andlight paving materials to reflect heat awayfrom buildings and reduce the need formechanical cooling. At entrances and windows, include overheadarchitectural features such as awnings,canopies, trellises, or cornice treatments thatprovide shade and reduce daytime heat gain,especially on south-facing facades. Incorporate brise soleil features to reduce heatgain and deflect sunlight. Avoid the use of highly reflective buildingmaterials and finishes that direct heat and glareonto nearby buildings. Utilize natural light and ventilation for parkingstructures/podiums when possible, whilemaintaining architectural cohesion.34Right-of-Way Plant shade-producing street trees at theminimum spacing permitted by the Division ofUrban Forestry to create a consistent rhythm. Provide shelter from the sun and rain forpedestrians along the public right-of-way wherethe buildings meet the street. Extend overheadcover across driveways or provide architecturallyintegrated awnings, arcades, and canopies.35

Resources:Above left: A well-designed andconveniently located exit stair can increasepedestrian activity and increase stair use. Sustainablesites: http://www.sustainablesites.org/Left: Landscaping that complements thescale and type of the project can strengthenthe identity and character of the site. Center for Active Design: https://centerforactivedesign.org/ Fitwel: https://fitwel.org/ LA’s Green New Deal: http://plan.lamayor.org/sites/default/files/pLAn 2019 final.pdfAbove: Natural light helps create a visuallystimulating and productive environment forbuilding occupants, while reducing the totalbuilding energy costs. Resilient Los Angeles: e/file/Resilient%20Los%20Angeles.pdf Passive House Institute: https://passivehouse.com/ Living Building Challenge: https://living-future.org/lbc/3637

10GUIDELINE 10: ENHANCE GREEN FEATURES TOINCREASE OPPORTUNITIES TO CAPTURE STORMWATERAND PROMOTE HABITAT.Projects should be designed to meet the City’s environmental ethos by enhancing the treecanopy and landscaping, reducing urban heat island effects and reducing stormwater runoff.BEST PRACTICESSite Planning Prioritize the infiltration of stormwater inlocations where suitable soil conditions andtopographies exist. Select plant species that are adapted andsuitable for the site’s specific soil conditionsand microclimate. Facilitate stormwater capture, retention,and infiltration, and prevent runoff by usingpermeable or porous paving materials in lieu ofconcrete or asphalt. Collect, store, and reusestormwater for landsca

Oct 24, 2019 · 6 The City of Los Angeles’ General Plan Framework Element, together with each of the 35 Community Plans, promote architectural and design excellen