Broadway Housing | Kevin Daly Architects

The objective of this housing project is to provide low income families that work on the Westside of Los Angeles with affordable housing that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. The design clusters economical, repeatable housing blocks around the canopy of an existing shade tree. An increased intensity and density was encouraged in the site development where a vacant nursing home is replaced by a three story, four building, 33 unit, housing complex with a green roof. Resting on a corner site, across from a large community park, the complex has access to a diverse range of transportation options including the future Bergamont Station Expo line and newly established bike lanes. The complex maximizes every corner of the 1.5 acre site. The four, three story residential buildings are clustered around a starfish shaped internal courtyard with a play area and two fully wired community rooms at the rear. This community zone allows a safe environment for children to play and do homework, for adult residents to garden, and for classes to be held. Larger three bedroom units are placed at the ground level. Two bedroom units are placed on the upper levels and are connected by latticed bridges that envelope a central, shared courtyard. All of the units face this central courtyard and every room in each unit has access to natural light and ventilation. A number of sustainable techniques are incorporated into the design from a green roof that insulates and slows runoff, custom window frames that protect units from solar heat gain, canted wall panels that breathe and release heat, a vegetative screen wall that insulates and reflects noise, and a 15,000 gallon underground cistern that collects rain water for irrigation. As a result of smart planning and integrated sustainable design the thirty-three units do not have air conditioning, yet remain a comfortable temperature throughout the year. On the interior there are flow restrictors in the kitchens and bathrooms, 100% recycled CRI Green-label carpet, formaldehyde-free insulation, and low VOC paint. Notes from Kevin Daly, FAIA • how the project came about? The project is part of an effort by the City of Santa Monica and nonprofit developers Community Corporation to maintain and expand affordable housing in the City. • how long it took Approximately one year to design and one and one and a half years to build. • biggest challenges and considerations that shaped the design There is some political resistance to affordable housing, even in Santa Monica. We had to build consensus for the project in the community by showing that the scale was consistent with the existing urban fabric and that significant mature trees could be maintained on the site. One of the biggest challenges was to develop a site plan that allowed the use of small building masses rather than the large housing blocks that are typical of this building type. Once the nearby residents started to see the scale of construction underway, they were convinced that the project was a positive addition to the neighborhood. • learnings from this project We wanted to keep the construction very simple, but allow one façade of each building to have a higher level of finish and performance: the projecting hoods around the windows. That seems like a good equation for affordable housing: 75% economical. Architectural Team: Kevin Daly, principal-in-charge, Tom Perkins, Project Manager, Kody Kellogg, Jason Pytko, Gretchen Stoecker, RA, Jared Ward, RA Structural Engineer: John Labib & Associates, 900 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 936, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Mechanical Engineer & Plumbing: TK1SC, 17911 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614 Electrical Engineer: FBA Engineering, 3420 Irvine Avenue, Suite 200, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Civil Engineer: Paller-Roberts Engineering, 5701 Slauson Avenue, Suite 208, Culver City, CA 90230 Landscape: Dry Design, Inc. 5727 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019 Acoustical: Davy + Associates, 2100 N Sepulveda, Suite 42, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266