the construction of a supportive housing complex for the homeless in los angeles is underway. named isla intersections, the neighborhood will be made up of shipping containers made from recycled steel and welded together to form single 480 square foot units.
 
designed by lorcan o?herlihy architects, the 35,000 square foot, 54-unit housing unit and adjacent paseo is organized along the spine of broadway street as a series of sixteen staggered boxes. it is situated on a 19,814 square-foot triangular site uniting a traffic island and a former railroad right of way.

images courtesy of lorcan o?herlihy architects
 
 
each unit is compact and efficient, with an open plan and an ADA kitchen, bathroom, and the living room doubling as a bedroom with a curtain that can be drawn for privacy. the units are stacked and arranged into towers that are connected by a series of walkways to create a single unified building.  
to eliminate interruption from the surrounding traffic, a wall of trees and landscape breaks down pollution from freeways whilst providing the necessary green space for the neighborhood. meanwhile, a shared street serves as a space for community events such as fairs and pop-up markets.
 
one complete, the building will feature 53 apartment for people who have experienced homelessness. the complex will also feature on-site social services provided by american family housing, one the project?s co-developers along with clifford beers housing.

 
 
in order to redu...