Best supportive housing design for Global Awards shortlisted
LOS ANGELES: The shortlist for the best supportive housing design has been declared.
Over 250 designs have been considered by the awards secretariat. One of the finalists in this category is shown above.
Young and formerly unhoused Angelenos transitioning out of youth facilities and foster care now have a new place to seek safe, secure, and, most critically, all-affordable housing in the form of the Brooks + Scarpa–designed Rose Apartments.
Located at 718–720 Rose Avenue in Venice, the $20.6 million permanent supportive housing development recently opened its doors to its first residents, including chronically homeless adults and transitional aged youth who have “termed out” of being in the custody of the state and are seeking permanent affordable housing at a time in Los Angeles when such a thing is dreadfully scarce. Spread across four stories, the courtyard-anchored complex includes a mix of 35 studio and one-bedroom apartments (predominately the former) with rents currently locked in at 30 percent or below the area median income. The Venice location at the intersection of trendy Rose Avenue Lincoln Boulevard is a highly desirable one that’s convenient to public transit and located within close walking distance to a slew of amenities, including a Whole Foods Market just across the street. Venice’s famed namesake beach is also just several blocks away. The Walk Score for the site is a nothing-to-scoff at 88.
In addition to highlighting its pedestrian-friendly location that doesn’t necessitate owning a car, the firm noted that Rose Apartments contributes to L.A.’s severely strapped affordable housing stock in a particularly impactful manner. The fact that the newly opened complex is in the heart of an affluent section of the city means that low-wage workers, namely those employed in service positions at Venice’s wealth of buzzy shops and restaurants, can actually reside in the same neighborhood where they work instead of spending hours on end commuting to and from work.
The Global Award winner will be announced in December in London. (Globals)