The wide variety of urban and environmental conditions that exist in the Los Angeles area make it an excellent laboratory for the study of architecture. Studio design projects take full advantage of this diversity. These include hillside housing in Hollywood, public facilities on Malibu Beach, high rise office towers in downtown, mixed use office and housing on the Venice arcade, a new landscaping plan for the flood control channels of Culver City or desert buildings that are self sustaining through the use of the sun for energy.
Students also work on projects that directly touch the communities of the city.
They have saved an historic structure from being demolished by developing a restoration plan and presenting it to the city government. They have designed community gardens and parks, bringing green to the city. In the Community Design Studio, students work directly with community members designing projects from small renovations to large institutional projects. Cultural Life and Recreation Los Angeles is situated between the southern California mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean. This location creates one of the most pleasant climates to be found anywhere.