Apartments provide permanent housing for California homeless

Palo Verde Apartments, in Sun Valley, Calif., opened to residents in early 2012 on the site of a former self-serve car wash facility.

Developed by L.A. Family Housing of North Hollywood with a design by Gonzalez Goodale Architects, the new infill project provides safe and affordable housing for previously homeless single adults living with mental illness.

The 60-unit complex embodies the concept of permanent supportive housing, an approach that provides the requisite atmosphere of stability with the goal of fostering socialization among the residents and openness to support and treatment. The development includes offices, community and program space where residents can access social and recreational, counseling, recovery and employment services.

The 35,000-sf U-shaped complex takes its architectural cues from the surrounding Mediterranean-style neighborhood, reinvigorating it with a contemporary character. The front elevation features projecting bay windows and balconies that animate the façade and offer generous views of the neighborhood, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Another key component of the project design and construction was environmental sustainability. Palo Verde surpasses the State of California standards for energy efficiency by 37% and is aiming for a LEED for Homes Gold rating. Green features include solar panels that generate approximately 41% of the building's electrical needs, Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, water-saving plumbing fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping. BD+C

Advances in glazing materials and glass building systems offer a seemingly unlimited horizon for not only glass performance, but also for the size and extent of these light, transparent forms. Both for enclosures and for indoor environments, novel products and assemblies allow for more glass and less opaque structure—often in places that previously limited their use.

The Forge in London is deploying industrialized, kit-of-parts construction. Images: Courtesy of Bryden Wood

Architects | May 3, 2022

A U.K.-based design firm flaunts industrialized construction as it expands into U.S.

Bryden Wood wants to set up a network for manufactured components for repeatable building types.

Codes and Standards | May 3, 2022

American Institute of Steel Construction updates environmental product declarations

The American Institute of Steel Construction has released updated environmental product declarations (EPDs) “to help designers and building owners design more environmentally friendly buildings and bridges,” according to an AISC news release.

Education Facilities | May 2, 2022

Texas School for the Deaf campus gateway enhances sense of belonging for deaf community

The recently completed Texas School for the Deaf Administration and Welcome Center and Early Learning Center, at the state’s oldest continuously operating public school, was designed to foster a sense of belonging for the deaf community.

Codes and Standards | May 2, 2022

Developer Hines, engineer MKA develop free embodied carbon reduction guide

Real estate management and investment firm Hines has released the Hines Embodied Carbon Reduction Guide. The free guide, produced with Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA), is the result of a two-year effort, relying on MKA’s industry-leading knowledge of carbon accounting and involvement in programs such as the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) Tool.

Building Team | May 2, 2022

HED and VAI announce merger to bring strategic expertise and drive community impact in Dallas

HED (Harley Ellis Devereaux), a leading national architecture and engineering firm, today announced a merger with award-winning, Dallas-based VAI Architects Incorporated (VAI).