Build Magazine 13 Architecture John V. Mutlow Architects Inc. is a multi-disciplinary architectural company committed to the design of buildings that will endure the test of time. Their portfolio of work encompasses a wide variety of buildings in the commercial, educational, health and residential sectors whilst focusing on senior and family housing. ohn V. Mutlow, the founder of the firm, is nationally recognised for his work, leadership and lectures on housing; he practices architecture in Los Angeles and is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Southern California (USC), where he is currently the Chair of the Graduate School and was the Director of the Advanced Program from 1991- 94. For the past 30 years, Professor Mutlow’s architectural practice has focused on the design of affordable senior and family housing, with an emphasis on social considerations. Housing projects include senior, special-needs, workforce, farm worker and family housing. Projects also include adult (senior) centres, childcare centres, community centres, private schools, historic renovations and single-family residences. More recently, John has broadened his experience to include schools, as a member of the LAUSD Design Advisory Council, and worked on projects which include Woodland Hills Elementary Private School and MTA Transit Tots East. Other projects of note include the design of two residential communities that contain civic, childcare and kindergarten buildings, as well as recreational facilities. For instance, the Hoover Inter- Generational Child Care Centre, which was finished in June 2016, was conceived and developed as a response to the children’s need for a familiar and appropriately scaled home environment, and as such is laid out as an educational tool and awareness symbol for the children. “The entry pavilions are “gateways” to the village; the village green and amphitheatre is the central focus and functions as the visual and spiritual ‘heart’ of the school; the colonnaded walkways are the ‘streets’ that link the village elements together; the ‘village hall’ is for community meetings and afterschool classes, and is the prominent public building. Mutlow Architects has also demonstrated a keen interest in providing housing that is both affordably and appropriate for the older generation, whilst preserving the scale and mass of the existing conditions of historic buildings. Bearing testament to this is the site for Laurel Place, in West Hollywood; a pre-existing house dating back to 1914 had been A Sense of Inspiration J extensively remodelled into a four unit building in 1941, with a two-story structure and a high roof. Now, with a built-up residential area surrounded by multifamily rentals and condominiums being established, and the area surrounding the housing site being being developed into a public park, the opportunity was ideal for Professor Mutlow to leave his unique stamp. “The predominant design concept is dictated by the need to protect and respect the existing locally designated historic structures and landscaping while creating housing appropriate for use by seniors and disabled persons... the courtyard space between the new and existing building is designed as the central social space. The stairs, access balconies and two social balconies all overlook, and therefore engage this courtyard space.” Other notable projects, focussed within the Hispanic and Latino communities of Los Angeles, have led Mutlow Architects to establish new and bourgeoning professional exchanges with architects in Mexico. “Continuing relationships with clients on several projects is the direct result of the client satisfaction with the professional services, which only John V. Mutlow Architects can provide. The firm also has extensive experience working with governmental agencies at the state and local level.” In addition, Professor Mutlow has made his presence known across the globe, with a series of ongoing projects in Asia. Tapping into this pool of opportunity has spurred on a number of new projects for John V. Mutlow Architects; these include the development of a series of prototypical designs for Daito Trust, a striking Japanese development consortium, an innovative mixed-use project in the Philippines, and a bold new office building in South Korea. Mutlow Architects prides itself on providing a sense of inspiration to its inhabitants. Underlying each project is the basic philosophy of searching for a timeless solution, whilst encouraging a synthesis of human values and aspirations. The common occurrence is elevated to a special occasion. To accomplish this transformation, a delicate balance between a set of performance criteria, a mixture of appropriate aesthetics, efficient space utilisation and social interaction is obtained. As the priorities of these issues are redistributed from one program and context to the next, the end result is a unique solution. Company: John V. Mutlow Architects Name: Professor John Mutlow Email:
[email protected] Web Address: www.mutlowarchitects.com Address: 2536 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA Telephone: +1 323 664 4373 Ones to Watch for 2016: Architecture