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

Two innovations—program manager Gafcon’s SharePoint360 project management platform and a new BIM “wall creator” add-on developed by ClarkDietrich Building Systems for use with the Revit BIM platform and construction consultant—show how fabricators and owner’s reps are stepping in to fill the gaps between construction and design that can typically be exposed by working with a 3D model.