The Howard and Irene Levine Senior Community, designed by KFA Architecture for Mercy Housing of California, provides badly needed housing for Los Angeles veterans and low-income seniors. The six-story, 69,300 sf building in West Los Angeles was constructed on a city-owned, former LADOT parking lot—a large area of underutilized space. It was designed to replace public parking for neighborhood merchants and a synagogue, as well as for tenants within a 73-car underground garage.
Above the parking levels, the structure provides 48 units of housing for homeless senior veterans and low-income seniors earning at or below 30 percent and 60 percent of the area median income. Rents range between $456 and $976 per month.
The building sports open corridors, allowing for natural ventilation and light into the interior. A large courtyard at the third-floor level provides a central gathering space with views of the Hollywood Hills. The courtyard is surrounded by a community room, an exercise room, and on-site support and service offices led by New Directions for Veterans.
Smaller terraces throughout the building offer quieter seating nooks. The roof deck is adorned with community garden planters and informal seating. Recessed entry doors in alcoves provide a sense of identity for each unit. The Community is walkable and close to transit, markets, cafes, clinics, and other community services. The project compliments the surrounding neighborhood’s fabric.
Strategically Designed for Seniors and Vets
“Our design team viewed this project as an opportunity to provide a healthy and social environment for seniors, with varied spaces that foster different levels of privacy and community interaction,” said KFA Senior Associate, Kristyn Cosgrove, AIA.
All units are designed for accessibility and mobility. All residents have access to a laundry room on their floor. The series of smaller outdoor spaces allow opportunities for people to gather outside in intimate groups. Rooftop solar panels and gray water harvesting for irrigation contribute to a projected LEED Gold rating.
Owner and/or developer: Mercy Housing California
Design architect: KFA Architecture
Architect of record: KFA Architecture
Mechanical & Plumbing engineer: Hellman & Lober
Electrical Engineer: OMB Electrical Engineers
Structural engineer: Englekirk
General contractor: Dreyfuss Construction
Construction Manager: AMJ Construction Management
Related Stories
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| Apr 16, 2012
Batson-Cook breaks ground on senior living center in Brunswick, Ga.
Marks the third Benton House project constructed by Batson-Cook.
| Feb 10, 2012
Atlanta Housing Authority taps Johnson Controls to improve public housing efficiency
Energy-efficiency program to improve 13 senior residential care facilities and save nearly $18 million.
| Feb 8, 2012
Nauset completes addition and renovation for Winchester senior living community
Theater, library, fitness center, and bistro enhance facility.
| Nov 2, 2011
John W. Baumgarten Architect, P.C, wins AIA Long Island Chapter‘s Healthcare Award for Renovation
The two-story lobby features inlaid marble floors and wood-paneled wainscoting that pays homage to the building’s history.
| Mar 17, 2011
Perkins Eastman launches The Green House prototype design package
Design and architecture firm Perkins Eastman is pleased to join The Green House project and NCB Capital Impact in announcing the launch of The Green House Prototype Design Package. The Prototype will help providers develop small home senior living communities with greater efficiency and cost savings—all to the standards of care developed by The Green House project.
| Mar 11, 2011
Renovation energizes retirement community in Massachusetts
The 12-year-old Edgewood Retirement Community in Andover, Mass., underwent a major 40,000-sf expansion and renovation that added 60 patient care beds in the long-term care unit, a new 17,000-sf, 40-bed cognitive impairment unit, and an 80-seat informal dining bistro.
| Mar 11, 2011
Mixed-income retirement community in Maryland based on holistic care
The Green House Residences at Stadium Place in Waverly, Md., is a five-story, 40,600-sf, mixed-income retirement community based on a holistic continuum of care concept developed by Dr. Bill Thomas. Each of the four residential floors houses a self-contained home for 12 residents that includes 12 bedrooms/baths organized around a common living/social area called the “hearth,” which includes a kitchen, living room with fireplace, and dining area.
