Foothill Community Hospital
El Monte, CAAn arrival that isn't cold.
Problem-solving with style.
01 / 05Healthcare · Community hospital
An arrival that isn’t cold.
Multifamily, commercial & institutional architects · Los Angeles
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YDS Architects · Southern California
Originality
Tailored to context.
We believe every lot deserves an original design tailored to its maximum potential. Crafting environments where comfort, creativity and community organically thrive.
Residential
Commercial & mixed-use
Mariposa Complex · Altadena
AIA
2026 AIA Pasadena & Foothill Rebuild Design Award
Mariposa Complex, Altadena · “Multifamily & Commercial: The Most Collaborative Process”
Every lot deserves a design that belongs to it.
YDS is a Southern California architecture studio grounded in smart design and stress-free approvals. We work on homes, multifamily housing and commercial spaces, and carry them from the first zoning read to a permit in hand.
(01)
Maximize Value
Most of the cost savings happen during programming and design. Our process is built to get the most value out of the property before anything is built.
(02)
Original × Creative
We create original spaces that belong to their context. No two lots are alike, so no two designs should be.
(03)
Comprehensive Supervision
Our involvement goes beyond design. We handle the technical and permitting stages so the project moves smoothly from paper to physical reality.
Portfolio
Multifamily, mixed-use, institutional and residential work across Southern California. Each project starts from the same question: what does this particular site want to become?
Arcadia Medical Office Building
Arcadia, CAA medical office that feels like arriving somewhere calm.
Arroyo Elementary Classroom Wing
Monrovia, CAA classroom wing built around daylight and air.
Courtyard 55
Alhambra, CAFifty-five homes around one shared courtyard.
La Puente Spine
La Puente, CAA spine is not a slogan.
Diamond Bar Three-Lot
Diamond Bar, CAThree homes where one used to fit.
Mariposa Complex
Altadena, CAA post-fire rebuild for more than one household.
Randolph Complex
Los Angeles, CAAn elevated sanctuary in the hills of Los Angeles.
Cuckoo Complex
San Diego, CADensity shaped by light, air and courtyards.
Foothill Residence
Foothill Blvd, CAA home and a second household, stacked.
Beaver Live Work
San Bernardino, CAA long, quiet gable for living and working.
Rigo's Fiesta
Monrovia, CAAuthentic taste, modern space.
Joe's Pizza
Monrovia, CABuilt to catch eyes. Designed to feed cravings.
Start a project.
Tell us where it is and what you have in mind. An architect looks at the property and gets back to you within one business day. No cost, no obligation.
- 01We study the property. Zoning, lot and what the site can hold.
- 02We talk it through. A short call or email about your goals and options.
- 03You get a clear next step. Scope, timeline and a fee quote if you want one.
Or call 626-660-0206 · info@ydsarch.com
Our Process.
We guide you through the whole project, from first planning to design concepts to every permit you need, so you’re ready to build with confidence.
(01)
Contextual Intelligence
We read the site first: zoning, overlays, topography, neighbors, light. The design starts from what the lot allows and what the street already is.
(02)
Integrated Synthesis
Program, budget, code and form are resolved together, so the design that looks right is also the one that pencils and permits.
(03)
Regulatory Navigation
Zoning, entitlements, use permits, state housing laws and fire rebuilds. We manage every city interaction and keep you updated.
Step 1Plan
Plan
- Remote property assessment: codes, zoning and structural factors that affect cost
- Architect consultation to capture your vision and lay out options
- As-built survey of existing conditions
- Contract to start design
What you getProperty reportCost estimateScope of workROI analysis
Step 2Design
Design
- A full drawing set: site plan, plans, elevations, sections and 3D visualizations
- Documentation review so you can refine everything before approving
What you getReview sessionsArchitectural setUpdated pricingUpdated scope
Step 3Permit
Permit
- Coordination with structural, Title 24 and CUP consultants
- We handle the city departments in LA, Riverside, Orange and beyond
- Construction-ready documents for bidding
What you getBuilding permitsConstruction-ready set
About YDS Architects
We draw lines. Then make them real.
YDS Arch is a Southern California practice founded by principal architect Yifu Pan, AIA. Our focus is multifamily housing: small-lot subdivisions, courtyard apartments, podium buildings and mixed-use infill, taken from feasibility through permits. We also design commercial, institutional and residential work for owners, developers and business owners across the region. We use AI tools to move faster through feasibility and visualization. The drawings, the code reading and the sign-off stay with licensed people.
Yifu Pan, AIAPrincipal architect and founder
- Services
- Multifamily & infill housing · Small-lot subdivisions · Mixed-use & commercial · Institutional · Custom homes & rebuilds · Zoning feasibility · Entitlements & permitting
- Service area
- California and Nevada
- Studio
- Bradbury Building, 304 S. Broadway, Los Angeles 90013
- Office
- 177 N. Primrose Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016
- Contact
- info@ydsarch.com 626-660-0206
Do you handle city permits and approvals?
Yes. We specialize in zoning analysis, entitlements and permitting for multifamily and mixed-use projects, including SB 684 subdivisions, density bonus, TOC and CUPs, and we manage everything from planning to permit submission.
Do you work with developers or just homeowners?
Both: first-time homeowners, seasoned investors, developers and business owners, on residential and commercial projects.
Do you offer permitting-only services?
Yes. If your design is already done, we can take it through plan check and permitting.
Studio · 304 S. Broadway, Los Angeles
Consultation at the historic Bradbury.
We invite you to experience our new studio headquarters inside the iconic Bradbury Building.
Plan your visit →Getting here
The main entrance is on Broadway, right next door to Blue Bottle Coffee.
Parking: Grand Central Market Parking (308 S. Hill St) or LA Times Parking (213 S. Spring St), both a short walk away.
When you arrive, call your project lead and we’ll bring you up to the studio.
Open in Google Maps ↗Resources
Zoning guides, multifamily housing-law explainers and news from the YDS team.