PROTECTIVE WALLS: On the south side of the building, closest to San Diego airports flight path, Russell erected two 30-foot-high walls, which he says serve as a bulwark in the event of a plane crash. (Mark Boster / LAT)
NOT-SO-PRIME LOCATION: An outside view of Russells R3, which sits in front of Interstate 5 and is under the landing path of the airport. The building was originally a triangular lot where people used to park their broken-down cars underneath the billboard, Russell says. He bought the land for $50,000. (Mark Boster / LAT)
SKYLINE: Lloyd Russell looks through a window that runs the length of R3, his new San Diego home, center and top. (Mark Boster / LAT)
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SOUND BARRIERS: Architect Lloyd Russell used building materials such as blocks and textured concrete to absorb the noise of passing motorists vehicles and airplanes. (Mark Boster / LAT)
A new home designed by architect Lloyd Russell to combat urban noise sits next to Interstate 5, about 200 feet away from the San Diego airport. (Mark Boster / LAT)