Michael Ong Design Office

Crest Apartments

Crest Apartments
© Iwan Baan

CREST APARTMENTS

Michael Maltzan Architecture

CATEGORY
Apartments

LOCATION
Los Angeles, United States

ARCHITECTS
Michael Maltzan Architecture

AREA
45000 ft²

YEAR
2016

PHOTOGRAPHS
Iwan Baan

MANUFACTURERS
Western Window Systems, Arcadia Inc., Falcon, LaHabra, Basix, Suniva

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
John Labib + Associates

CIVIL ENGINEER
Breen Engineering

M/ P ENGINEER
Khalifeh & Associates

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
OMB Electrical Engineers

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
SWA Group (Lead Landscape Designer Tina Chee)

ACOUSTICAL CONSULTANT
Newson Brown Acoustics

FIRE & LIFE SAFETY
Exponent

SPECIFICATIONS
AWC West

SURVEY
Adkan Engineers

OSHA CONSULTANT
Lynn Safety

CA SP CONSULTANT
Yung Kao

GREEN RATER
Global Green

HERS RATER
Alternative Energy Systems

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
Egan Simon Architecture

General Contractor
Benchmark Contractors

OWNER
Skid Row Housing Trust

CLIENT
Skid Row Housing Trust

Text description provided by architect.

The new Crest Apartments for the Skid Row Housing Trust transformed an existing open site in suburban Los Angeles into a 64-apartment complex for formerly homeless veterans. Located on a busy thoroughfare near two freeways, the project introduces a new density in the neighborhood with easy connections to public transportation and area resources.

Crest Apartments
© Iwan Baan
Crest Apartments
© Iwan Baan

The client’s permanent supportive housing model includes individual efficiency apartments with on-site social services and community spaces. These combined programs effectively support the highly vulnerable residents in an effort to reduce chronic homelessness.

The building’s arching form stretches the length of the site, creating a sheltered courtyard with tiered terraces above that include open-air outdoor corridors and an expansive ground level landscape zone.

The low points of the mass touch down at both the front and back of the site, ensuring a strong volumetric relationship to the smaller scale single-family residences behind the property and the larger commercial facades running along the boulevard.

Crest Apartments
© Iwan Baan
Crest Apartments
© Iwan Baan

Inviting and light-filled spaces throughout the building form a network of healthy community connections that support residents within the building and build social connections to the city beyond. The lobby and reception area is positioned in the front to welcome in both residents and visitors alike.

Additional shared spaces and community resources on the ground level include the residents’ lounge, community kitchen, laundry room, conference room, social service offices, health clinic, and an outdoor community garden. Individual studio apartments on the four upper residential floors that hover over the ground plane incorporate natural light, cross ventilation, and views to both the circulation corridors and the city.

Crest Apartments
© Iwan Baan

The architectural and landscape design forms a symbiotic relationship that enables the efficient use of natural materials. Strict code and program requirements prompted the design team to think of the ground plane as a flexible zone that can accommodate required parking and fire lanes while also providing informal open spaces for residents.

By integrating landscape materials such as permeable pavers that can withstand various loads, the demarcation between hardscape, softscape, and functional requirements are blurred to create an interchangeable ground surface. The pervious surface enables rainwater filtration into two bioswales below the parking area. Drought resistant trees and plantings will be used extensively.

Crest Apartments
© Iwan Baan

The project was certified LEED for Homes Platinum by the U.S. Green Building Council. Windows in each unit provide ample natural light and air. Units are equipped with Energy Star-rated refrigerators and range hoods, bio-based marmoleum composition floors, high efficiency bathroom fixtures, and tile made from recycled content.

Highly efficient ductless mechanical units for heating/cooling will be utilized. Solar thermal panels on the roof will provide more than 50% of the heated water needs.

Paint, grout, mortar, and construction adhesives used throughout the building will be zero or minimal VOC products.


Crest Apartments
Second Floor Plan
Crest Apartments
Third Floor Plan
Crest Apartments
Fifth Floor Plan
Crest Apartments
Fourth Floor Plan
Crest Apartments
Roof Plan
Crest Apartments
Units Plans


Crest Apartments
Section / Elevation
Crest Apartments
Elevations

Michael Ong Design Office
T +61 437 879833
Michael Ong Design Office
suite 2/22-26 Howard St, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia