Flor Lofts
Each of Flor’s ninety-nine supportive housing units features large windows, micro kitchens, and doorbells to reinforce a sense of respite and privacy. Tree canopied courtyards and strategically located community spaces encourage social interaction and add a sense of well being that offers more than the “architecture of survival” on LA’s Skid Row.
A trellised entry welcomes residents home. To the left are on-site social services and straight ahead lies the garden. Its landscaped outdoor space and ample seating flows up to the second floor community hub of training/activity spaces and laundry. A vegetable garden on the sixth floor adds a rooftop destination with city views.
This project’s strategic approach to massing and egress favors bridges over additional exit stairs. The move offsets cost, while also offering resident benefit. The combination of feature open stair and bridges offers a visible path to upper levels that encourages informal exercise, casual social interaction and passive security.
Canopies, vertical projections and angled recesses protect windows from the sun while also adding varying shadow patterns through the day. They also combine with other sustainable features including PV and solar thermal panels, exterior circulation, and a greywater system (that collects and filters laundry water for irrigation) to contribute to a LEED platinum certification (aspiring).
STATUS
Completed December 2020; LEED Platinum
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California
CLIENT
Skid Row Housing Trust
PROGRAM
98 Supportive Units, Supportive Services
AWARDS + RECOGNITION
2022 AIA National Housing Award
2021 AIA | LA Design Award
2021 AIA CC Merit Award
2021 USGBC-LA Merit Award for Social Equity
2021 LABC Architecture Award: Multi-Family Affordable Housing
2021 AIA California Council Merit Award
2021 Architizer A+ Awards, Popular Choice Vote for Multi-Unit Housing Low-Rise
2021 Silver Award for Affordable Housing LABJ Commercial Real Estate Awards
