Role: Technical FF&E Designer & Project Lead
Firm: Ariel Fox Design (AFD)
Client: Cornerstone Housing & ETTA
Architect: Urban Architecture Lab
Scale: 6-Story Mixed-Use | First-of-its-kind Inclusive Community in LA
Project Narrative
The Village is a groundbreaking residential development designed specifically for adults with developmental disabilities. As the lead FF&E Designer for the amenity and community spaces, I was responsible for creating a supportive, inclusive environment that balances neighborhood retail services with private residential comfort. This project represents a major milestone in Los Angeles’ inclusive housing landscape.
Technical Execution & Impact
- • End-to-End FF&E Management: Directed the complete FF&E lifecycle for the 64-unit building’s community floors. This included managing complex CD sets, producing technical CAD drawings, and maintaining rigorous specification packages in InDesign and Google Sheets.
- • Inclusive & Universal Design: Applied a “Universal Design” lens to all selections, ensuring that furnishings, textiles, and layouts met the unique sensory and physical needs of the residents while maintaining a high-end, sophisticated aesthetic.
- • Bespoke Fabrication & Workorders: Engineered technical workorders for custom integrated elements, including bespoke banquette seating and specialized drapery systems. Managed the fabrication process from initial drawing to final vendor hand-off.
- • Cross-Disciplinary Leadership: Served as the primary technical liaison between the client (Cornerstone/ETTA), the architecture team (Urban Architecture Lab), and the landscape designers. Ensured that interior FF&E was perfectly synchronized with the building’s structural and exterior programming.
- • Installation Oversight: Spearheaded the final installation phase for the March 2026 opening, coordinating multiple vendors for plants, custom millwork, and furniture to ensure a defect-free transition for the new residents.