Design Architect:

LPA Design Studios

Associate Architect or Firm:

LPA Design Studios

Landscape Architect:

LPA Design Studios

Owner / Developer:

Shangri-LA Construction, LP

Project Data:

Completion Date:     7/8/2021

Square Footage:      44000

Building Use:           Permanent Supportive Housing

Project Description:

This 75-unit permanent supportive housing development has aspirational goals in transforming the entire delivery model for developing affordable housing in addressing the housing crisis in our communities. The design embraces the use of single use recycled shipping containers as a rigorous module in its five-story massing which will be prefabricated off site modular units. The building massing is organized to scale down along the street and provide vertical roof terraces which organize around an internal courtyard. The integration of landscape embraces biophilia in connecting people with nature to promote health and wellness. The use of modular construction innovates at every step of the delivery model in promoting a lean delivery process in reducing the schedule. This provides 'Housing First' faster as permanent supportive housing is a foundation of recovery for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health conditions, and addictions.

The design embraces its transitional neighborhood context as the massing steps down along the street with multi-level decks while creating a welcoming entranceway with balconies above. The facade design is driven from the container module and then scaled down into smaller modules with the window proportions and sunshades to create texture and scale.

The parti diagram was organized around providing each of the units views out to the landscape which is organized around the site as a vertical garden. Circulation is organized in promoting active building design for health and wellness. The central courtyard provides a shaded retreat with natural airflows promoted from under the partial podium deck.

The integrated high-performance design is focused on the recycled shipping containers which are highly insulated and include passive natural ventilation, daylighting, and solar heat gain control with exterior sunshades. A centralized VRF system and centralized heat pump boiler system for domestic hot water reduce energy use. PV provides onsite energy generation and a biofiltration system treats and stores water while promoting biodiversity with its adaptive landscape palette.

Baseline benchmark = EUI 34
Design is targeting = EUI 11 kBtu/sf/yr
70% reduction

The architecture provides scale, texture, and experiential design with its use of reflected light, shaded courtyards and sun filled decks in shaping its exterior spaces creating a nurturing environment that supports the tenants in transforming their lives.