Veterans Village of Carson is an affordable housing development offering 51 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units as well as onsite case management and supportive services to U.S. military veterans and their families.
Located adjacent to the 110 freeway in Carson, a low-rise urban section of Los Angeles, the project team addressed the specific needs of its residents.
The designers flipped the units around to keep the living areas buffered from the noise from the adjacent 110 freeway. PHOTO: JIM SIMMONS
WITHEE MALCOLM ARCHITECTS CREATES FULL AMENITIES PACKAGE
Designed by Torrance-based Withee Malcolm Architects for developer Thomas Safran & Associates, the three-story, mixed-use development employs Type V over one-story podium construction. Unit features include kitchens and bathrooms with granite countertops and solid-wood cabinetry.
It has a fitness center, outdoor areas at the podium level and second floor, and a 3,500-sf new community room equipped with a full kitchen, spacious seating areas, a computer lounge, pool table, piano and TV room.
Other amenities: laundry facilities, outdoor barbecue area, a children’s playground, and resident gardens. The gated community features secured access and on-site management and maintenance staff.
Care was taken to ensure community areas were welcoming and warm by including the addition of natural wood, stone accents, and comfortable seating.
The community room at Veterans Village of Carson. Natural wood and comfortable seating was purposefully designed into the setting. PHOTO: JIM SIMMONS
TURNING UNITS TO BLOCK NOISE FROM THE NEARBY FREEWAY
The 1.15-acre site lies adjacent to the 110 freeway, a main north-south corridor connecting Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles with San Pedro and the Ports. The design team minimized noise to the interior living spaces as well as exterior community spaces.
Units located along the freeway side of the property were turned so that active windows and living spaces were oriented toward the interior courtyard and away from the noise source. In essence, the backs of the units were used as a sound buffer for interior landscaped courtyards and other residences.
Living room at Veterans Village. The project offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with priority to veterans and their families. PHOTO: JIM SIMMONS
COMMERCIAL SPACE OPENS UP ADDITIONAL LINK TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Commercial space on the corner of the building opens to an outdoor plaza to further encourage interaction between residents and the neighborhood.
Through design details and paint in light colors, the arrival experience mimics a parking court rather
than car garage, making the experience equally enticing for residents and retail shoppers.
To mitigate costs associated with additional parking, stalls for both residential and commercial uses were located on the ground level, screened from view by the commercial component, the main entry lobby, and abundant landscaping. Keeping the parking on grade also allowed natural ventilation and light.
The structure wraps around a central courtyard . "We put extra effort into the design, aesthetics, landscape, and finishes," said Thomas Safran & Associates’ Tyler Monroe. PHOTO: JIM SIMMONS
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROVIDED BY U.S. VETS
At Veterans Village, U.S. VETS, a service organization whose mission is to end homelessness among veterans, provides supportive services to residents, including occupational training, access to medical/dental care, and point-of-retention services.
Veterans Village of Carson is a Tax Credit property that accepts Housing Choice (Section 8) and VASH vouchers. Preference is given to U.S. military veterans. The community was developed in collaboration with the City of Carson.
Lobby at Veterans Village. Support services to residents is provided by U.S. VETS, whose mission is to end homelessness among U.S. veterans. PHOTO: JIM SIMMONS
‘EXTRA EFFORT’ TO CREATE AN ‘UPLIFTING’ EXPERIENCE
Designing the spaces for these services in ways that evoke home has encouraged veterans to take advantage of assistance that benefits them and the larger community. “We look for every opportunity to make these projects special for the people who live there,” said Thomas Safran & Associates’ Tyler Monroe. “We put extra effort into the design, aesthetics, landscape, and finishes."
Affordable housing, he said, “should look as good, if not better, than anything else in the neighborhood. It should be uplifting, enriching, and contribute to the environment and its residents.”
The complex at dusk. As one resident, a Navy veteran, said, "It's like a resort." PHOTO: JIM SIMMONS
HOW ONE RESIDENT VIEWS HIS NEW HOME
For Navy veteran and resident Ross Schenck, even restrictions put in place by COVID have not dampened the experience. “It’s beautiful there….it’s like a resort,” he said. “I love the views, the location, and I’ve loved getting to know almost all of my neighbors.”
See the video with interviews with U.S. Army veteran Major Stewart and others:
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jul 27, 2020
Putting 'home' at the heart of affordable housing
Home is a powerful thing. It’s the place that forms you, a guiding set of relationships, memories, and experiences that, for better or worse, make you who you are.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 20, 2020
Abandoned 15-story high-rise becomes mixed-use luxury apartment building
Kimmich Smith Architecture designed the project.
Coronavirus | Jul 20, 2020
Student housing amid the pandemic, infection control in buildings, and future airport design on "The Weekly"
Experts from Core Spaces, Bala Consulting Engineers, and Populous were interviewed in the July 23 streaming program from Horizon TV.
Mixed-Use | Jul 14, 2020
Apartments and condos occupy what was once a five-story car dealership
Wisznia | Architecture+Development designed, developed, and is managing the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 7, 2020
AEMSEN develops concept for sustainable urban living
The concept has been created for the redevelopment of the lots on the Barbizonlaan in Capelle aan den IJssel.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 29, 2020
New affordable housing development comes to the Bay Area
The two phase project will provide 100 affordable units total.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 23, 2020
11 tips on how to install EV charging stations in multifamily housing
A top sustainability expert gives the whys and wherefores of installing electric vehicle charging posts in your next multifamily enterprise.
Coronavirus | Jun 19, 2020
Experts address COVID-19's impact on nursing homes and schools on The Weekly
The June 18 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Senior Living Design | Jun 11, 2020
COVID-19: An "outdoor living room" for senior living residents to safely visit with their families
Aegis Living creates a plexiglass-wrapped outdoor space for residents to sit while visiting with family members.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 10, 2020
60-unit independent senior living facility completes in Crystal Lake, Ill.
UrbanWorks designed the project.