ARCH TOUR FEST: Santa Monica Vermont Apartments

Photo Credit: Eric Staudenmaier; KoningEizenberg Architecture; Paul Vu, Here and Now Agency

ARCH TOUR FEST: Santa Monica Vermont Apartments

The Santa Monica Vermont Apartments in East Hollywood is a high-density, mixed-use affordable housing development located at a Metro station.

This project transforms a complex site by wrapping the rail station, integrating housing, retail, and a food hall to create a vibrant community hub. Conforming to the LA City Station Neighborhood Area Plan, it frames the existing plaza as an active public and resident outdoor space, leveraging density to support the transit-oriented location.

The development includes 187 affordable units ranging from studios to three-bedrooms. Distributed resident amenities and cascading planting are designed to foster social interaction, encourage an active lifestyle, and improve public safety.

The building prioritizes sustainability, with projected energy use $25\%$ below code and onsite renewable energy providing $33\%$ of the overall energy. Its design, featuring breeze blocks, sunshades, and colorful details, draws from local vernacular architecture, proposing a forward-thinking vision for mid-rise housing in Los Angeles.

Tour Led by:

Brian Lane, FAIA – Partner, KoningEizenberg Architecture

Brian Lane, FAIA uses his keen eye for detail and focus on what it is to be a good neighbor to raise the bar on expectations for community architecture. Brian fuses practical knowledge of design and constructibility to anchor experimentation across a range of budgets. He draws upon planning knowledge and strong visualization skills to assist cities and agencies across the LA region in the evaluation of guidelines and regulations, particularly in relation to housing. He is frequently called upon to share his expertise in community forums and public programs, and is a member of the Hollywood Sign Board of Trustees and the AIA|LA Board of Directors.

Architect: KoningEizenberg Architecture

Building Credits:

Contractor: Walton Construction
Landscape: RELM
Civil: KPFF
Structural: Labib Funk + Associates
MEP: Coffman Engineers
Energy: Stok
LEED: Green Dinosaur
Code/FLS: Holmes Fire
Lighting: Oculus
Acoustics: Veneklasen
CASp: Greg Izor
Permitting: Pardo
Dry Utility: DUEX
Food Service: IRC
Shoring: Labib Funk + Associates
Solar: Solargy
Waterproofing: Intertek
Specifications: David Woo
Facade: Access Lerch Bates
Env. Graphics: Newgo

AIA CES: 1.0 LU|HSW

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will assess how mixed-use affordable housing is planned and operated (in this case, to conform with funding requirements, the LA City Station Neighborhood Area Plan, and to meet intersecting requirements of Fire, Building & Safety, USPS, and Accessibility authorities).

2. Participants will critically evaluate the role of communal spaces for wellbeing in affordable housing, including indoor and outdoor amenities ranging from shared laundry rooms and kids play areas to barbeque courts and podium gardens.

3. Participants will gain insight into Metro priorities and areas of concern relative to the Transit Oriented Development program and Joint Development of underutilized city and county property for affordable housing, including as part of the 10K Homes program.

4. Participants will identify sustainable strategies transferable to other dense urban sites – including daylighting, accessibility, and energy efficiency at this LEED Gold project.

Parking

Parking in the neighborhood is limited. Transit, carpool, and/or car share are encouraged.