Friends Of Residential Treasures: Los Angeles presents

Frame the Future!

LA's Housing Manifesto and Poster Showdown

Overview

Los Angeles has long been a laboratory for domestic innovation, from early modern experiments and the Case Study Houses to creative adaptive reuse and new models of affordability. Now the region has an urgent need for homes as it also moves beyond car-based, single-family land-use patterns and confronts climate pressures. Good housing ideas already exist, but they often meet pushback. The real challenge is communicating those ideas in a way that can inspire a skeptical public.

Frame the Future! tasks designers with “selling” bold, forward-thinking visions to a community that needs to believe in the future before it will help build it.

Designers, architects, artists, writers, students, and creative thinkers are invited to translate complex housing concepts into:

•A poster (24”x36” - PDF -portrait format) that clearly communicates a transformative housing future in a way that feels energizing, approachable, and irresistible.

•A slogan that captures the vision with a punchy phrase.

•A manifesto (maximum 500 words) - outlining the principles, goals, and dreams behind the concept — brief by design, so the message is sharp, compelling, and impossible to ignore.

The goal is simple: help Angelenos see what’s possible — and want it.

Competition Goals:

INSPIRE
The public to imagine — and embrace — bold, optimistic housing futures for Los Angeles.

ENGAGE
The community with a celebratory event that showcases winning ideas in accessible, exciting ways.

CATALYZE
Clear, compelling dialogue between designers, developers, policymakers, and the public about why the city needs new housing solutions.

ELEVATE
Visionary voices from architecture, advocacy, design, development, and the creative arts.

Judging Criteria:

Power of Communication
How effectively does the submission translate a complex housing idea into a clear, compelling, and accessible message for a broad public audience?

Persuasive Impact
Does the work make viewers want this future? Judges will look for entries that spark curiosity, optimism, and desire rather than fear or defensiveness.

Clarity of Point of View
Is there a strong, confident position behind the poster, slogan, and manifesto? Does the submission clearly articulate what it stands for and why it matters now?

Emotional and Cultural Resonance
Does the entry connect to the lived experience, identity, and aspirations of Los Angeles — culturally, socially, and imaginatively — rather than treating housing as an abstract problem?

Integration of Poster, Slogan, and Manifesto
How well do the visual, verbal, and written components reinforce one another to deliver a single, memorable idea?

Living the Dream
Does the submission evoke an aspirational LA lifestyle for the 21st century in the way movies and magazines did for the 20th century?

Ability to Spark Civic Dialogue
Does the work feel like a catalyst — something that could live on a wall, circulate online, or anchor a conversation between designers, policymakers, and the public?

Community Engagement
Does the work show evidence of having been shaped by real people and places — reflecting an awareness of neighborhood context, lived experience, and the concerns of those most affected?

Judges:

Confirmed judges include:

• Erika Abrams — Cultural Strategist and Executive Director, LA Design Festival (LADF)
• Frances Anderton — Design and Architecture journalist
• Donna Bojarsky — Founder, Future of Cities (FOC:LA)
• Stacy Brightman — CEO, The Ebell of Los Angeles
• Ryan Conroy — Associate Director of Architecture, cityLAB UCLA
• Joshua Gonzales — Education Director, Abundant Housing Los Angeles
• Alvin Huang — Architect; Director of Graduate Architecture, USC
• Kyle Jenkins — Co-President, Seachange Partners; Board Member, WUF
• Silas Munro — Partner, Polymode
• Quynh Nguyen — Brand Strategist; Board Member, L.A. Forum
• Jacob Newstrom — Charles & Ray Eames Foundation
• Danielle Rago — Architecture and Design Consultant; Board Member, FORT: LA 
• Nithya Raman—Los Angeles City Councilmember 4th District
• Arnie Seipel — Chief Content Officer, KCRW
• Liam Young — Designer, Director, and Futurist

Prizes:

$3,000 — First Place
$1,500 — Second Place
$500 — Third Place

APPLICANT INFORMATION:

Submission Materials

REMOVE ALL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION FROM YOUR SUBMISSION SO IT IS ANONYMOUS.

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APPLICANT CERTIFICATION AND RELEASE

I certify that this submission is my original work and that I am the sole author and rights holder of the materials submitted, except where outside sources are clearly credited. Any reference materials, data, or inspirations drawn from existing works have been appropriately acknowledged, and no copyrighted material has been used without permission.

I confirm that all information provided in this application is true, accurate, and complete, and that the project proposal was created by me. I understand that any falsification or misrepresentation may result in disqualification.

I grant Friends of Residential Treasures: Los Angeles (FORT: LA) the non-exclusive right to reproduce, display, publish, print, distribute, and sell the submitted poster(s) and related materials in connection with the competition, including but not limited to exhibitions, publications, fundraising efforts, and promotional use.

I acknowledge that submission of this application does not guarantee selection or receipt of an award, and that entries will be evaluated solely on the materials provided.

I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Friends of Residential Treasures: Los Angeles (FORT: LA), its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, jurors, sponsors, community partners, venues, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to my submission, including but not limited to claims of copyright infringement, trademark infringement, violation of rights of publicity or privacy, or any breach of the certifications made in this application.

I further agree that this application serves as a release permitting FORT: LA to use my name, likeness, photographs, biographical information, and submitted materials in press releases, promotional materials, and public communications related to the competition.