About

The First HHH Funded Homeless Housing Project in Los Angeles to Begin Construction

Project Details

Location

North Hollywood, CA

Practice Theme

Housing for All

What We Did

Architecture

Size

22,011 sq. ft.

This low-rise development in North Hollywood addresses the urgent need for supportive housing, specifically designed for homeless individuals and transition-aged youth. The project aims to provide not only safe and stable living conditions, essential services and amenities to help residents transition into more permanent housing and self-sufficiency but also provide quality outdoor gardens for residents to connect with nature.

Vanowen Street was initially established to connect agricultural towns in the San Fernando Valley, but as the area urbanized, it evolved into a stretch lined with auto shops and strip malls. In contrast to this utilitarian landscape, The Finch Apartments aims to create a welcoming oasis for formerly unhoused residents.

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Located at the busy intersection of Van Owen and Lemp, the building centers around a south-facing courtyard with views of the Santa Monica Mountains. The courtyard, featuring a “Ford” logo made of ceramic tiles as a nod to the site’s history, provides a peaceful escape from the city’s bustle.

To maximize cost-effectiveness and speed up construction, this project uses metal stud modular construction. It’s the second of eight modular developments by Studio One Eleven, featuring materials like metal, wood, and containers. While the site was prepped, modular units were built off-site, complete with interiors and essential systems, and then craned into place on-site. This innovative approach brings 48 supportive housing units to the community.

Lush landscaping throughout the development offers noise reduction, shade, and privacy, enhancing both exterior and interior spaces. Beyond the central courtyard, a west-facing tranquility garden and open-air corridors with large windows maximize views of the gardens and mountains.

The ground floor along Van Owen is activated with essential amenities like a community room, offices, and bike storage. Additional facilities include computer and meeting rooms. As the building transitions to the quieter Lemp Avenue, it visually steps down to blend with the residential neighborhood, with brightly colored staircases encouraging pedestrian circulation and connecting to the outdoor gardens.