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.
![Howard and Irene Levine Senior Community ext 2](/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG_9381A10.jpg)
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
![The Howard and Irene Senior Community Apartments ext 3](/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG_9557A9.jpg)
![Howard and Irene Levine Senior Community interior](/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG_9584A7.jpg)
Related Stories
| May 11, 2014
Final call for entries: 2014 Giants 300 survey
BD+C's 2014 Giants 300 survey forms are due Wednesday, May 21. Survey results will be published in our July 2014 issue. The annual Giants 300 Report ranks the top AEC firms in commercial construction, by revenue.
| Apr 29, 2014
USGBC launches real-time green building data dashboard
The online data visualization resource highlights green building data for each state and Washington, D.C.
| Apr 11, 2014
ULI report documents business case for building healthy projects
Sustainable and wellness-related design strategies embody a strong return on investment, according to a report by the Urban Land Institute.
| Apr 9, 2014
Steel decks: 11 tips for their proper use | BD+C
Building Teams have been using steel decks with proven success for 75 years. Building Design+Construction consulted with technical experts from the Steel Deck Institute and the deck manufacturing industry for their advice on how best to use steel decking.
| Apr 2, 2014
8 tips for avoiding thermal bridges in window applications
Aligning thermal breaks and applying air barriers are among the top design and installation tricks recommended by building enclosure experts.
| Mar 27, 2014
16 kitchen and bath design trends for 2014
Work on multifamily housing projects? Here are the top kitchen and bath design trends, according to a survey of more than 420 kitchen and bath designers.
| Mar 26, 2014
Callison launches sustainable design tool with 84 proven strategies
Hybrid ventilation, nighttime cooling, and fuel cell technology are among the dozens of sustainable design techniques profiled by Callison on its new website, Matrix.Callison.com.
| Mar 20, 2014
Common EIFS failures, and how to prevent them
Poor workmanship, impact damage, building movement, and incompatible or unsound substrate are among the major culprits of EIFS problems.
| Mar 12, 2014
14 new ideas for doors and door hardware
From a high-tech classroom lockdown system to an impact-resistant wide-stile door line, BD+C editors present a collection of door and door hardware innovations.
| Jan 28, 2014
16 awe-inspiring interior designs from around the world [slideshow]
The International Interior Design Association released the winners of its 4th Annual Global Excellence Awards. Here's a recap of the winning projects.