Full Coverage: Building an identity: Immigration and architecture in Southern California

When Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne looks at L.A., he sees the city shaped by immigrants. Landmark buildings in Koreatown that adapt and evolve with a new generation. Houses in Arcadia that allow Chinese homeowners a proud, conspicuous place in a new country. Street life across the region that takes its cue from the way Latino neighborhoods blur the line between public and private. In this three-part series, Hawthorne shows us how Southern California may offer the first look at post-immigration America.

The Chapman Market is adorned with holiday lights year round.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

A woman walks by the Chapman Park Market, a 1928 landmark. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Part 1: Koreatown

Rather than tear down built-up history, the ever-expanding Koreatown adopts, adapts, preserves and perseveres.

Koreatown's cool old buildings point to L.A.'s future

Philip Chan, principal designer at PDS Studio, stands inside an 11,000-square-foot home he worked on that is being offered for $6.99 million.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Philip Chan, principal designer at PDS Studio, stands inside a home he worked on. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Part 2: Arcadia

How wealthy Chinese immigrants are remaking a Southland suburb.

How Arcadia is making itself a magnet for Chinese money

A food truck sits parked along the 2100 block of East 92nd Street in Los Angeles, an area with a dominant Latino population.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

A food truck sits parked along the 2100 block of East 92nd Street in Los Angeles. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Part 3: Latino Urbanism

The Latino influence on Los Angeles.

'Latino Urbanism' influences a Los Angeles in flux