Why should we care about Saving the Dingbat?
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Historic architecture embodies the cultural identity, history, and values of a society. It serves as a tangible link to the past, allowing future generations to understand and appreciate their heritage.
Environmental Sustainability
Preserving historic buildings promotes sustainability by reducing the need for new construction and minimizing the environmental impact associated with demolition and waste disposal.
Urban Planning and Social Equity
Preserving historic architecture can help maintain a diverse and inclusive urban landscape. It encourages thoughtful urban planning that balances the needs of preservation with the demands of growth and development, promoting social equity and inclusivity.
Sense of Place and Community Identity
Historic buildings contribute to the unique character and sense of place in a community. They serve as landmarks that foster community pride and identity.
Aesthetic and Emotional Value
Historic architecture adds beauty and richness to the built environment. Many people have emotional connections to historic buildings, whether through personal memories or a shared cultural heritage.
Soft Story dwellings like the dingbat need our help.
Seismic Safety
Soft story buildings are particularly vulnerable to collapse during earthquakes due to their design, which often includes open ground floors (such as parking garages) that lack adequate structural support. Retrofitting strengthens these buildings, reducing the risk of collapse and potential loss of life during seismic events.
Protection of Residents & Occupants
Retrofitting soft story buildings helps protect the residents and occupants who live or work in these structures. By improving the structural integrity of the building, retrofit measures enhance occupant safety and reduce the likelihood of injury or fatalities in the event of an earthquake.
Preservation of Housing Stock
Soft story buildings are prevalent in many urban areas, especially in regions with high seismic activity. Retrofitting these buildings preserves the existing housing stock, ensuring that residents have access to safe and habitable housing options. This is particularly important in densely populated cities where affordable housing is already limited.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
In many jurisdictions prone to earthquakes, there are building codes and regulations mandating the retrofitting of soft story buildings to improve their seismic performance. Retrofitting ensures compliance with these legal requirements, helping building owners avoid potential penalties or liability in the event of non-compliance.
Community Resilience and Preparedness
Retrofitting soft story buildings contributes to overall community resilience and earthquake preparedness. It raises awareness about seismic risks and encourages proactive measures to mitigate these risks. By strengthening vulnerable buildings, communities become better prepared to withstand and recover from seismic events.
Pop Culture References
Dingbat apartments have become iconic symbols of Los Angeles in popular culture. They have been featured prominently in films, television shows, and literature set in the city, helping to shape its visual identity and cultural representation. Their distinct aesthetic has been celebrated and referenced by artists, writers, and filmmakers seeking to capture the essence of Los Angeles.
In the 1998 film Slums of Beverly Hills, teenager Viv whines that her family is constantly moving from one dingbat to another. "Casa Bella", she says, examining the stucco facade of a building the family is moving into, "another dingbat. Dingbats—that's what they're called. Two-story apartment buildings featuring cheap rents and fancy names that promise the good life, but never deliver."
