The jury was impressed with the holistic solution offered by this project. The architect had clearly thought through the whole process of rehabilitation, from living, to working, to selling their goods and that thoughtfulness came through. It's an interesting concept and noble in what it's trying to do. Congratulations KTGY.

Project Data:

Firm Name:              KTGY Architecture + Planning

Completion Date:     6/1/2018

Square Footage:      86000

Building Use:           Transitional Homeless Housing utilizing a vacant big box retail store.

Location:                 This is a concept that could be applied to any mall with a vacant big box retailer. This was conceptualized for the Shoppes at Carlsbad.

Project Description:

The homelessness crisis plaguing major cities across California has reached an unprecedented and alarming state. In California, 68% of the homeless population is unsheltered, equating to 91,642 unsheltered homeless individuals statewide. When roughly 700 people were recently evicted from the Santa Ana River homeless encampment, politicians and social workers scrambled to find adequate shelter and services for those who were displaced.

Homelessness is prevalent in most major cities, and while the immediate goal is to provide shelter and emergency care for those experiencing homelessness, housing programs with counseling, support, and training are a meaningful and long-lasting component of this complex social issue. Living without a home not only endangers individuals’ health and safety but is also a significant barrier to obtaining and keeping a means of employment. Shelter is a necessity for all people, and providing transitional housing is one way to ease suffering and support individuals seeking to break a cycle of poverty.

There is an abundant need for transitional housing in the U.S., and there are many vacant spaces that can be converted into habitable, self-supporting housing. While building projects dedicated to the homeless population can be controversial, it is a rising demand and a unique opportunity to be part of a housing model for social good. According to Forbes, big box stores, like Macy’s, JCPenney, and Sears are closing in record numbers. Repurposing vacant, big box stores with mixed-use and residential components is a rising trend as retail developers look for creative ways to fill underutilized retail spaces. The need for transitional housing and the availability of vacant, big box stores provides a unique opportunity to address both issues.

This concept repurposes the 86,000 sq. ft. footprint of a typical vacant, big box store by converting it into seven, smaller retail spaces and a full-service transitional housing center, which offers care for up to 344 single men and women. The retail stores range from 1,000 sq. ft. to 10,500 sq. ft. in the west wing of the building, while the separate east wing is dedicated to transitional housing and support programming. Residents have access to job training and the option of working in one of the many, on-site retail spaces, ranging from thrift stores to coffee shops. Employing the residents in the on-site stores helps the project to achieve its self-supporting goal. The mixed-use programming includes other self-supporting practices. A roof garden provides fresh produce for the retail and the resident dining hall, while a photovoltaic façade design supports energy efficiency. Self-improvement and recreational programming are incorporated into the transitional housing areas to further promote the success of the residents.

C.O.T.E. | Committee on the Environment

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