'variegated mat-scape' by gary paige studio


gary paige studio received second prize for their 'variegated mat-scape' proposal for
the dingbat 2.0 competition in LA. 



'variegated mat-scape' aerial view


'variegated mat-scape' is a prototype for generating spatial, programmatic, and material variation.
not only is the idea of variegation intended to reflect and index the diverse cultural mosaic that
comprises los angeles (and more particularly the palms neighborhood), but is also seen as a new
typology a building-landscape -that celebrates (and materializes) multiplicity and difference
by re-envisioning the relationship between interior and exterior space. instead of the usual
hierarchical building-object to ground relationship, they propose a dense and diverse patchwork
of volumes and surfaces that provides exterior green space for each resident as well as two
larger 'greens'  for the community.



exterior space diagram


with a population of 45,475 people within an area of 1.9 square miles, the palms district is
not only one of the most demographically diverse but also has one of the highest densities
(21,983 people per square mile) in the city. and, with the eventual arrival of the metro expo
line to the region these statistics will undoubtedly only increase. in spite of this the existing
building fabric suffers from morphological sameness with a density coefficient that’s constant
rather than variable. therefore, in order to address the projected growth the 'variegated matscape'
employs a variable density gradient that ranges from one- and two-story units to fourstory clusters,
resulting in a higher density per block as well as greater differentiation in the scale of
the neighborhood.



model of houses


instead of the typical 50 x 150 foot r-2 parcel and setbacks, the firm adopted a composite
organizational strategy of grids and ladders: a nine square grid measuring 48 x 48 feet with
minimal setbacks and zero lot lines in places, and, a 'ladder' or fish-spine of 15 walk streets
that traverse the block and provide access to the units. parking is situated below grade
and accessed by a series of air and light portals that are sprinkled across the site. morphologically,
the new grid operates in the z-axis as well as the horizontal; individual units are made up of
two to five 16 x 16 x 10 foot spatial modules plus a 225 square foot patio and/or roof terrace.
ranging in size from 450 to 1125 square feet, these units are interlocked and arranged in various
ways based on orientation and local adjacencies to configure ten different unit types. similar
to sol lewitt’s 46 variations on three different types of cubes or steven reich’s serial composition
of looped and layered sounds for guitar, electric counterpoint, the endeavor is to produce
a supple system that is a prototype and catalog of different spatial types, yet pliant enough to
be recombined to adapt to local differences as well as the contemporary domestic landscape.



the numerous configurations