When presented with the brief for new dwellings on a long strip of land, we came up with something new for LA by referencing east coast row houses and London’s Georgian terraces, and it worked.

The LA vernacular, predicated on an abundance of available space has tended towards large detached bungalows. This short row of London-style terraced houses, with flat front elevations and generous gardens at the back provides the required density at the right budget. Four into one does go, as long as the garden space typical in LA’s housing typologies such as Craftsmen’s and Bungalows are replaced with charismatic courtyards and roof terraces with great views.

Unique, characterful and easy to market, the novelty of a 4 storey terraced house with a beautifully designed staircase is particularly attractive to couples or young families who need space but can also enjoy the opportunities offered by vertical separation for organizing that space according to the different needs of family life.

The stratification of having a kitchen on one floor, living space on another and then perhaps separate floors of adult and children bedrooms is more conducive to family living than the indistinct blurring and inconvenience of open plan apartments. There is a reason why so many terraced houses have been adapted into condos, offices, doctors’ surgeries and modern family homes. They are so flexible and adaptable, you can keep changing them to suit your changing circumstances as families grow up, extend and never quite leave the nest.