2241 Vermont ave. Branch library and affordable housing
This project applies the strategies used in the Chicago Co- Location Competition to the urban and community needs of Los Angeles. In 2016, the City of Chicago sponsored a program involving the Chicago Public Library, Chicago Housing Authority and design teams to construct three demonstration projects using the identified co-location sites. The three architectural teams responsible for the design of the Library + Housing Prototypes are Ronan Architects, SOM, and Perkins & Will. This project follows suit in creating affordable senior citizen housing and a public branch library for Los Angeles.
The Site
The site for this project is located in the commercial zone of Vermont Avenue, and is two blocks south of the Santa Monica Freeway. 2241 Vermont Avenue is within walking distance of major public transportation stops. There are many recent new developments on this section of Vermont Avenue, and there is great promise for the desirability of the area. There are two schools, three churches, one major supermarket, and many restaurants and shops within a ten minute walking radius. The site is a single property and then there are potentials for impact or expansion. The commercial zoned property is one current fact which makes the site unique, and deeper zoning creates potential for local neighborhood center for culture, art, fresh produce. The site is in front of a large previous warehouse followed by a two story apartment complex prior to the R1 suburban low density residential housing. This deep commercial zone provides the opportunity for doubling the amount of available housing density and providing community space, while remaining respectful of the low density, residential housing.
The Design
The proposed building follows suit of the Chicago co-location precedents while reacting to the Los Angeles location characteristics. This building contains a 15,453 square foot library and 92 studio apartments, 4 one bedroom apartments, and 12 two bedroom apartments above. The design focuses on the warm, dry Los Angeles climate by encouraging indoor/ outdoor living within the apartment units, and indoor/ outdoor community space within the library. The indoor/ outdoor nature of this building in addition to proper shading and balconies, allows for passive heating and cooling systems. This design also primarily responds to the potential for a second phase development to the west due to the moments of deep commercial zoning along Vermont. Utilizing these deep commercial zones as an opportunity for more affordable housing to be developed would allow for denser public housing while still remaining respectful to the existing single homed residents. The design of this building anticipates this future development and incorporates additional green spaces to the west side of the building to have a greater ground floor connection to this expansion. A public community room faces the north side of the building and allows for an ease of access for those emerging from the Santa Monica Freeway.
