Nikola Batinic



Work

Contact



Axolotl



PHOTOGRAPHY
DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY

Client | Giraffe.LA
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: February 1, 2024

BACK TO ALL PROJECTS    

Photography for ‘Axolotl’, a contemporary multi-unit residential building in the heart of Los Feliz and recipient of the 2024 AIA Merit Award.

The project aims to reshape the narrative around middle-density multifamily housing by directly addressing common criticisms—lack of privacy, absence of outdoor space, and a perceived loss of character in favor of efficiency and cost-cutting. Rather than simply romanticizing the past, it draws inspiration from historic housing typologies like bungalow courts and dingbat apartments, reinterpreting their best qualities to create something both contemporary and deeply human. This ethos extends to the material choices, including an unconventional siding selection, painted in a bold pink hue, making a deliberate statement against the monotony of traditional multifamily design.

Dubbed “Axolotl,” our project draws inspiration not only from its vibrant color but also from the creature’s unique genetic makeup—a fusion of traits that grants it a remarkable capacity to adapt to its environment. Much like the amphibious salamander, our development embraces its eccentricities as endearing rather than off-putting, symbolizing resilience and vitality within its surroundings. Just as the presence of axolotls in nature signifies environmental health, we aspire for our project to evoke similarly positive associations—a testament to sustainable living and harmonious community integration.

Learn more here.