Taron Sargsyan

This thesis proposes a new model of dense, diverse urban housing through the vertical stacking of three distinct residential typologies within a single architectural framework. Situated on the site of the Lincoln Heights Jail in Los Angeles, the project begins with the adaptive reuse of the existing jail structure, transforming its cellular configuration into compact, communal micro-units. Above it, a second typology introduces a flexible, open-plan environment inspired by R.M. Schindler’s domestic field conditions, allowing for resident-driven customization and shared spatial negotiations. The third and uppermost layer reinterprets historic precedents such as Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation and the Narkomfin building, offering longitudinal units with integrated circulation that frames urban views and encourages social engagement.

By stacking these typologies, the architecture tests how radically different ways of living can coexist—physically, socially, and symbolically—within the same structure. The project challenges traditional zoning and housing paradigms by proposing a vertical neighborhood, where the building is not merely a container for housing, but a catalyst for interaction, plurality, and spatial democracy. It argues that density and diversity are not opposites but complementary forces that, when intentionally designed, can support a more inclusive and dynamic urban experience.