RESIDENTIAL VIEW BACKLOT

This is a conceptual illustration I did of the set in the early planning stages of the project.

This set would include some 15 exterior houses all with clear span, waterproof interiors built on concrete slabs. All of the structural framing is steel and therefore non-combustable. All of the strutters meet current seismic and wind-load requirements for structures in LA County. 

We used no wood  except for door, windows and their framing. And there are no fiberglass sheet goods for any of the exterior textures. Unlike all of the other Studio backlot sets in LA these sets simply will not burn. As you can see we built this set almost exactly as conceived.

CUL-DE-SAC AREA

The set runs almost 1/4 mile long and terminates in this cul-de-sac area.

CRAFTSMAN HOUSE

Each house had to have it's own personality but fit in a "neighborhood" setting. With backlots the designer is challenged to plan for everything and nothing at the same time!

AMERICAN FARMHOUSE

The street was planned on a long gentle curve. In this way, you can photographically isolate one end from the other. This end of the set had larger more spacious houses. The landscaping was extensive. Around 1,000 trees, some conspicuously large were planted on this set.

ADIRONDACK STYLE HOUSE

All of the houses, no matter what size, have great views all around them. They also have fully developed back and side yards.

VIEW FROM ARTS AND CRAFT STYLE HOUSE

LOWER THIRD VIEW

We are at the lower third of the set here looking towards the cup-de-sac. The illusion provided by the curve gives the impression of a much longer and larger street.

GAMBREL ROOF HOUSE

This is a classic Pennsylvania Gambrel roof house.

BACKYARD VIEW

Most residential sets don't have views like this from there backyards.

MID-WAY VIEW

We are about half way up the street looking towards the cul-de-sac. As you can see, the curve makes the street seem longer because we can't see the end of the street

MID-CENTURY RANCH

Classic. The back yard is big enough for a pool.

BUSINESS DISTRICT: MAIN STREET LOOKING NORTHWEST

I did these illustrations for the studio which set extensions in mind. again, you are designing for everything and nothing all at once. I tried to anticipate the needs that most of us as designers have when we go into back lots.

MAIN STREET LOOKING SOUTHEAST

MAIN STREET MIDWAY

COURTHOUSE OR PUBLIC BUILDING

BROWNSTONE SECTION

ART DECO BUILDING

All of these building facades were hung on steel post and beam structures with large concrete footings. Because of the way we built the whole project we were able to be exempted from outfitting the structures with sprinkler fire-suppression systems. This alone saved millions of dollars in costs.

ALLEY ENTRANCE

END OF ALLEY LOADING DOCK

All of the brick work here was done by hand and cast individually in our own shops.

ART DECO BANK BUILDING

The whole was all cast some custom molded light weight concrete components. I had it cast with integral color and then aged it. They idea here as with most of the set was to make it as maintenance free and durable as possible. I was given a longevity spec of 50 years!