Architecture adds an upgrade to affordable housing in Santa Monica

"What we've done is take the typical L.A. dingbat, which I would characterize as a four-sided doughnut of a building, and break it apart and move toward the extreme edge of the property. Instead of introducing a radical new form to the block, 2602 Broadway improves on what already works for the neighborhood."

"Buildings that both blend in and stand out in a beautiful way. One goal of CCSM is to provide housing that enhances how a neighborhood looks, with projects serving as community landmarks that offer practical services like after-school activities through facilities such as the Boys' & Girls' Club."

"The key to keeping costs down was to remember that all four walls were not created equal: One side (the 'hyper-performance facade') would always be exposed to the greatest amount of sun, and that's where he could devote the bulk of the resources for deep, powder-coated aluminum awnings."

Community Corp. of Santa Monica, a nonprofit developer, created an affordable 33-unit apartment complex at 2602 Broadway that draws design inspiration from neighboring 1960s buildings rather than introducing radical new forms. Architect Kevin Daly reimagined the traditional L.A. dingbat building by breaking apart its typical four-sided doughnut structure and repositioning it toward property edges. The project maximizes quality materials while controlling costs through strategic resource allocation, focusing intensive design efforts on the sun-exposed facade with powder-coated aluminum awnings. The complex includes a Boys' & Girls' Club for community programming and incorporates environmental features like rainwater collection cisterns and preserved mature trees, demonstrating how affordable housing can enhance neighborhood aesthetics while serving practical community needs.

Read at Los Angeles Times