Reconstruction of L.A.’s Dunbar Hotel underway

Construction is underway on the much-anticipated renovation of the Dunbar Hotel, originally known as the Hotel Somerville, it was the focal point of the Central Avenue African-American community in Los Angeles during the 1930s and 1940s.

Withee Malcolm Architects’ designs for the project include the complete renovation of the Dunbar Hotel and the Somerville Apartments I and II.

All three properties will be joined to create an 83-unit mixed-use project.

Preserving Dunbar Hotel’s historic brick facade, the new design provides 41 residential units of affordable senior housing with amenities that include a community room, communal kitchen, media lounge, billiard table, library and reading area and fitness room.

Plans for the residential floors convert the space from double loaded corridors into a single hallway lined with windows that look onto the atrium. All units now face out enjoying light from the exterior windows as well as extra light through the glass fronted hall doors. Apartments aredesigned to maximize efficiency with out sacrificing comfort and convenience.

The Somerville Apartments will be rehabilitated into 42 units of affordable housing--2,3,and 4 bedroom units--for families of all ages. The common areas will be reconfigured and upgraded to include a new tot lot, built-in barbecue area, basketball half-court and laundry room. 8,000 square feet of retail will be built on the ground floor of the village, along with a new public plaza and restaurant. Museum in Black, a computer center operated by Los Angeles Trade Technical College and a Head Start childcare facility will also be integrated into the project. BD+C

Learning objectives After reading this article, you should be able to: Understand issues of thermal performance and energy efficiency in relation to window and door systems; describe optimal detailing of the window-wall interface and how it contributes to building performance, sustainability, and occupant well-being; understand how durability contributes to sustainable windows/doors; and list sustainable O&M requirements for window and door systems.

| Jul 21, 2011

Falling Architecture Billings Index reflects decrease in design demands

This months Architecture Billings Index (ABI), provided by the American Institute of Architects, is almost a full point lower than last month’s reported score. June’s reading of 47.2 was short of the required 50 to achieve billings increases, making July’s reading of 46.3 an unwelcome sign of market tidings.