No two people, let alone architects, perceive even the most frequented cities in the same way. How do designers experience their cities as locals?

Head westbound on the traffic-laden streets of Los Angeles and chances are that you'll find yourself in the aptly named Westside. This loosely bordered part of the city is a hodgepodge of districts that include the Hollywood set-like mansions of Beverly Hills, Miracle Mile in Mid-Wilshire, and quirky beachside Venice, to name a few. Aside from that, the Westside is home to a number of well-loved architectural landmarks, as well as where some of today's most famous architects established their careers decades ago.

Archinect got in touch with Takashi Yanai, Partner and Director of the Residential Studio at Ehrlich Architects, who shared a chockfull of must-see sites around his "neck of the L.A. woods", as he described. Check out Yanai's suggestions — and some of his Instagram shots — right below to rediscover old favorites or find something completely new.

Historic houses:

Los Angeles is a city of Houses. There are over a half million homes here and 85 percent of the city is zoned for single family dwelling. It is also a place where young modern architects have cut their teeth and honed their craft. Two of the biggest game-changing residential projects are here in Los Angeles: the Eames House in Santa Monica and the Kings Road House by Rudolph Schindler. For the residential architects visiting Los Angeles, these are a must.

Eames House

The Eames House grounds are open for touring, though reservations are recommended. You can't go inside, but you can look into the iconic double-height living room.

The Kings Road House is open for tours via the MAK Center. In this house, you see the roots of much of California Modernism.

Inside the MAK Center for Art and Architecture at the Schindler House. 

The Westside is also home to what Progressive Architecture once referred to as the "Santa Monica School." For some nostalgia, there are four houses that will recall a golden period in Westside Architectural experimentation in houses. These are all available for drive-by only since they are still occupied, some by their original owners. They are:

The Gehry Residence: Frank Gehry's punk rock transformation of a pink dutch colonical in Santa Monica. Houses would never be the same.

The Petal House: Eric Owen Moss's early residential project is a hidden gem that pulls no punches.

2-4-6-8 House: Morphosis' iconic award-winning beginnings was an inspiration for a generation of architects looking for something new.

Abbot Kinney in Venice:

Venice is fast gentrifying but still offers a vibrant mix of the past and the present. Abbot Kinney is one of LA's best walking streets, loaded with great restaurants and shops. It also captures, for better or worse, the experimental, anything goes, spirit of LA's built environment.

Slow down and say hello to noted Japanese designer Taku Shinamoto at his Tortoise General Store, or visit the nearby Chariots on Fire store.

Tortoise General Store on Abbot Kinney. Photo via.

Chariots on Fire on Abbot Kinney.

Grab a coffee and hang out on the wood benches of Intelligentsia, or grab a bite and people-watch at Gjelina or Gjelina Take Away.

Gjelina.

Gjelina Takeaway.

The Ain Tract in Mar Vista: 

Marketed as the Modernique Tract in 1948, Gregory Ain's Mar Vista tract of 52 homes is a community of mid-century gems that sought to shape a more egalitarian world. Backyards had no fences and rooms transformed and opened through sliding partitions to accommodate one, two and three bedroom configurations. There are no accommodations for servants. Landscape in the neighborhood were done by Garret Eckbo.

The Hayden Tract:

For a Surreal Architectural walk try the Hayden Tract where for developers Frederick and Laurie Samitaur Smith have been Eric Owen Moss's patron saints. Projects here span almost 30 years of the career of this iconoclastic LA architect.

Arcana books: A phenomenal selection of new and rare art and architecture books. Fantastic books store, a dying breed. You can browse for hours. 

Father's Office: Some say it's LA's best burger. It might be true. Great selection of beers as well.

Father's Office.

For some architectural treats, try Coolhaus for some architecturally inspired ice cream flavors. Not too far away is Scoops — understated, but with a loyal following.

Scoops ice cream.

Alibi Room.

Kogi Tacos at the Alibi Room: One of the signature design aspects of Los Angeles is the diversity and creativity within our food culture. Just one example is Roy Choi and his modern take on Korean cuisine. Stop by the Alibi Room for Kogi Taco, a classic fusion of two of LA's dynamic ethnic cultures.

Takashi Yanai is a Partner and the Director of the Residential Studio at Ehrlich Architects, the 2015 National AIA Architecture Firm Award recipient. His keen interest in site and context and strong appreciation for craft are central in residential designs that respond to people and place within a modern aesthetic. Takashi holds degrees in literature and architecture from UC Berkeley and a Masters of Architecture from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design (GSD). He currently serves as a visiting professor at the University of Southern California and is a visiting critic and lecturer at architecture and design schools nationally. He also serves on the Architecture+Design Museum’s Board of Directors and the National AIA Committee on Design. Prior to practicing architecture, Takashi was an editor for GA Houses in Tokyo. His personal passions for photography, design and art are further documented in his widely followed Instagram.