Chaz Kern
Chaz is a design practitioner focused on developing housing models rooted in self-determination and creating pathways to put them into practice. As a co-founder of Office of she developed the organization’s first strategic plan, shaping its mission to design spaces, projects, and policies for communities most impacted by inequities in the built environment. At LA Más she managed the Backyard Homes Project, an initiative that helped homeowners build a new Section 8 rental Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).
Chaz has been featured in Wallpaper Magazine and named Cultured Magazine’s inaugural 2021 Young Architect. Chaz’s work is in the Smithsonian Institute Permanent Collection, and she has been has been invited to guest lecture at Rice University, University of Oregon, SCI-Arc, UCLA, USC, and UC Berkeley.
Chaz has been featured in Wallpaper Magazine and named Cultured Magazine’s inaugural 2021 Young Architect. Chaz’s work is in the Smithsonian Institute Permanent Collection, and she has been has been invited to guest lecture at Rice University, University of Oregon, SCI-Arc, UCLA, USC, and UC Berkeley.
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Stitched Narratives
Machine Embroidery: Polyester on Linen
2019-2023
Minitures Backyard Homes
Digital Collage.
2022
South Gate ADU Docs & PreApproved Program Development
Program Design
Consultant, Designer
2021-2023
Office of partnered with the City of South Gate to design a Permit Ready ADU Program that offers South Gate property owners a selection of free ADU Plans that have gone through part of the Plan Check process and are eligible for expedited permit approval. Participating homeowners benefit from reduced pre-development costs, a streamlined design, and expedited permitting process.
Transional Age Youth Housing
Report Graphic Design
2023
Collaborating with Genesis LA, we developed the graphic identity and formatted their “Scaling Housing to End the Foster Care to Homelessness Pipeline Report” to assist in communicating the challenges faced by transitional age youth (TAY) in and exiting foster care. The visual strategy is designed to engage the stakeholders in the TAY development space and highlight inadequacies in current social services, emphasizing the urgent need to expand housing capacity through color association and graphic hierarchy. The comprehensive report is designed to be presented in print and digital formats to inspire potential funders and partners to join us in ending homelessness among foster youth in Los Angeles County.