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The Concord is a 148-unit, older-adult housing project located in an area of Pasadena with outstanding connectivity.
The Concord is located within walking distance from Old Town Pasadena, the city’s commercial heart and Del Mar Station the light rail stop connecting downtown Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley. The district is very bikeable, with excellent public transit and an outstanding Walk Score of 95, providing connectivity for Concord’s older-adult (62+) community. The fourteen-story apartment building, originally completed in 1966, provides spectacular mountain and city views, but lacked usable outdoor space prior to the renovation.
 The renovation required a balance of updating all life safety and mechanical systems while preserving key character defining mid-century features and to improve the comfort, convenience, and activity of the residents. Interior finishes in the lobby and offices have been updated and new modern furnishings and lighting provided. The community room has been rearranged to provide a large communal kitchen and dining space, entertainment area, and computer stations. The 148 studio and one bedroom apartment units have been remodeled with new finishes, appliances, and cabinetry. A portion of the units are designed to meet the needs of physically, and visually and hearing-impaired residents.
The exterior of the building received new windows and railings to comply with current code while respecting the original building character. The rendering produced by the original architect illustrated bright yellow patio walls at the ground floor units. Inspired by the use of color, Studio One Eleven incorporated bright yellow into the entire tower. A new entry canopy, art feature, seating and landscape create a welcoming space for residents and visitors arriving at the building.
Lacking usable outdoor space prior to the renovation, Studio One Eleven’s approach focused on creating a landscape that would preserve mature trees wherever possible and complement the character of the existing architecture, with a goal of providing exterior spaces that would improve the comfort, convenience, and sense of community for the residents.
To that end, the designers consolidated parking in an expanded subterranean garage to allow residents to park closer to the building and to free up ground level space, enabling the creation of new gardens, walking paths and outdoor rooms that encourage social interaction. The gardens feature accent trees and a plant palette inspired by the unique environments of Pasadena and the nearby Arroyo Seco, with specimens selected for their low water demands and year-round interest. The arrival court is designed to be the front door of the project, welcoming residents and visitors to the building with lush planting, a large shade canopy, a variety of seating and a distinct art feature.
A new low screen block wall inspired by the clean lines of the building was installed in the front yard to provide a semi-private space for seniors to use while maintaining visual connections to the surrounding neighborhood. To conserve water and create a meadowlike atmosphere, the existing lawn was removed and replaced with drought tolerant Kurapia groundcover. Located on a portion of a former surface parking lot, the courtyard at the rear of the building is a private place for residents to gather, exercise and spend time with their pets. It has abundant shade, seating, a direct connection to the community room and an open turf area.
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