Southern California may conjure images of patios, barbecue grills, and al fresco dining, but outdoor spaces there tend to be private — either tucked behind houses or confined to internal courtyards in apartment complexes. “L.A. is a privatized city,” states Lorcan O’Herlihy, FAIA, whose firm designed Formosa 1140, an 11-unit condominium on North Formosa Avenue in West Hollywood. “New York has a lot more public open space than we do,” adds the Los Angeles—based architect. So O’Herlihy and developer Richard Loring used this project as an opportunity to combine private property and the public realm, enhancing both in the process.