Mar Vista Four was developed under a Los Angeles ordinance which enables development of single family homes on small lots in multi-family zones as a smart growth alternative to urban sprawl.  The three-level homes, comprised of four single-family homes - two facing east and two west, separated by 6-inch firewalls - share a common driveway for access to individual garages.

The homes were designed with primarily young working couples in mind and are 1500-1600 SF with a bedroom and bath on the ground floor, a kitchen, living/dining area and powder room on the second floor, and two bedrooms and bathrooms on the third floor.  

Taking advantage of a front lot line with an 8-degree angle, the west façade steps forward with material changes -- fiber cement panels to plaster to redwood. The redwood was reclaimed from a 100-year-old water pipe in Northern California.

Sustainably designed, the houses are highly efficient. They are equipped with zoned heat pumps, high-efficiency water fixtures, tankless water heaters, Energy Star appliances and compact and linear fluorescent lighting fixtures.