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Historic LA YMCA-turned apartment building wins World Architecture Festival award

A major renovation of an historic YMCA in Los Angeles to an apartment facility was named the 2013 World Architecture Festival Housing Award recipient. The 28th Street Apartments project, designed by Koning Eizenberg Architecture, added new residential units, upgraded existing units, and revitalized principal spaces and features. The structure was designed by architect Paul R. Williams, and completed in 1926.
Oct. 15, 2013
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A major renovation of an historic YMCA in Los Angeles to an apartment facility was named the 2013 World Architecture Festival Housing Award recipient. The 28th Street Apartments project, designed by Koning Eizenberg Architecture, added new residential units, upgraded existing units, and revitalized principal spaces and features. The structure was designed by architect Paul R. Williams, and completed in 1926.

Features include integration of new building systems that releases the existing rooftop for use as a garden and social space. The thin cross-ventilated addition is shaded to the south by a vertical photovoltaic panel array and wrapped to the north with perforated metal screens that feather at the corners to frame views of the city. The judges noted: “This project demonstrates architecture as an agent for social transformation. The architect was able to knit together historical continuity and something very new, something of high architectural value.”

(http://architecture.tulane.edu/news/2013/10/article-705)

(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/12/winners-of-the-world-arch_n_4040931.html?utm_hp_ref=arts)

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About the Author

Drew Ballensky

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.
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