Gregory Ain: Avenel Homes (Los Angeles, Calif.)

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Description

This group of small homes set side-by-side perpendicular to the street on a long lot, created a community feel, while walls and patios defined individual space. The houses were designed to be low cost urban housing, with the homeowners (a group of recent WWII veterans) pooling their resources to buy the land and build the development. This type of community at the time was viewed with suspicion of being communist in nature. Ain brought features of higher-end modernist homes into the low cost community housing. Though the space is only 908 square feet, Ain incorporated sliding walls between the living room and master bedroom, and between the two smaller bedrooms to give flexibility in living arrangements. The dining room table was incorporated into the kitchen counter to preserve space. The Federal Housing Authority had to approve the plans, and they denied Ain's design for a half bath, and insisted upon a broom closet instead.

The complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Creator

Ain, Gregory (1908-1988), architect

Source

Gregory Ain papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.

Date

1946-1947

Rights

Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. University of California Regents.

Citation

Ain, Gregory (1908-1988), architect, “Gregory Ain: Avenel Homes (Los Angeles, Calif.),” UCSB ADC Omeka, accessed March 29, 2024, http://www.adc-exhibits.museum.ucsb.edu/items/show/184.