Frances Anderton

Frances Anderton is a Lecturer at the USC School of Architecture, specializing in urban housing and design advocacy. She is a prominent figure in Los Angeles architecture journalism, having hosted the acclaimed podcast DnA: Design and Architecture (2002–2020) and producing KCRW’s current affairs programs. Her work bridges academia, media, and public engagement, focusing on equitable housing, urban resilience, and architectural innovation.

Education and Research: Anderton’s research centers on multifamily housing typologies and their social impact. She teaches Urban Housing Types and Typologies, exploring LA’s housing history and contemporary challenges. Her landmark book Common Ground: Multifamily Housing in Los Angeles redefines LA’s housing narrative.

Awards: Recipient of the 2025 Santa Monica Artist Fellowship, 2020 ICON Award, and 2010 Esther McCoy Award for public architecture education. Her work with Friends of Residential Treasures (FORT: LA) produced Awesome and Affordable, a multimedia project showcasing affordable housing excellence.

Grants and Projects: Co-created the Angeleno Porch installation for the 2025 Venice Biennale, emphasizing social generosity in architecture. Organized exhibitions like Close to the Edge: Hip Hop Architecture and Heart of Los Angeles, blending design with community resilience.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with USC’s Human-Building Integration Lab and Landscape Futures Lab. Serves on Modernism Week and Community Corporation of Santa Monica boards, advocating for preservation and affordable housing.