This year’s LA Design Festival was truly a celebration of design in all its forms. “From architecture and interiors to graphic, industrial, fashion, set, costume, and experiential design, the LA Design Festival showcases the best of the local design scene, as well as some exciting national and international voices,” reads the festival’s website, and exciting it certainly was. So exciting, in fact, that we just had to round up a few highlights for your perusal:

OASYS House

This prefab unit was on full display at the festival, embodying a new residential typology that’s springing up all over Los Angeles. Yes, ever since California passed a bill in April to recognize ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), or more colloquially-named “granny flats” as an efficient form of affordable housing, they’ve been showing up more and more around the city. OASYS is just one iteration of this new typology, and besides forming part of the festival, it will also remain in DTLA throughout the summer so that interested parties can come and have a look at the unique installation. Measuring 800 square meters, the house provides the contemporary city dweller with everything they need in a relatively compact and affordable space. The project is a collaboration between Alexis Rochas, StereoBot, and Marvin Windows & Doors, and since it’s a prefab, it can be replicated on almost any site.

ADU Home Tour

As well as being able to check out the OASYS House, festival attendees were also invited on a tour of other ADUs in Los Angeles. The tour included a stop at the OASYS House itself before continuing on to Highland Park, Echo Park, and Mid City. There, a number of architects and designers who have not only designed ADUs, but also live in them, invited guests into their homes to have a look at what occupying one of these tiny homes is actually like.

Radiant Peel Lighting Exhibition

One of our favorite OFFSITE events this year was the Radiant Peel light exhibition, which took place at Simeona Leona near MacArthur Park. The exhibition showed off new work by Sam Thomas, who creates unique light sculptures that recall fruit and other organic materials. “Sam Thomas’ work is deeply insightful; his skillful use of motifs captures his viewers’ attention and compels them to think widely about the world in which they live. In this instance, the Plantain Chandelier connects the politics of food with the context of Los Angeles, inspiring conversations on transnationalism and agri-imperialism,” reads the festival website. And that’s just a taste of what was going on at the actual opening.

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Design to End Homelessness

This fascinating talk was given on the Thursday of the festival, and saw product and growth designer Lex Roman speak about the role technology and its creators play in tackling relentless urban issues such like homelessness. It’s no secret that homelessness is increasing around the world in most major cities, and Los Angeles in particular has seen a rising homeless population that’s served as the catalyst for a number of new and innovative housing solutions and typologies. In the talk, Roman addressed the difficulties of solving the homeless crisis, and expanded upon ways that design and technology might best be used going forward.

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