KADRE ARCHITECTS TRANSFORMS RUN DOWN MOTEL INTO APARTMENTS FOR UNHOUSED FAMILIES 

As part of the state’s Project Homekey initiative, the 20,000 sq. ft. motel has been converted to house families experiencing homelessness.
Designed by Los Angeles-based Kadre Architects, the firm uses a colorful graphic identity to bring new life to the blighted building.

Kadre Architects and “Hope, the Mission” today unveil the first of their multi-unit transitional housing projects for formerly unhoused families. These projects are part of Governor Newsom’s emergency, state-wide order known as Project Homekey, in which dilapidated, underused hotels are purchased and transformed into temporary and permanent housing for the homeless. The first of Kadre and Hope’s projects, The Alvarado, is situated in MacArthur Park and brings 43 newly renovated transitional housing units for families - mostly single mothers with children - experiencing homelessness to the community. The team is working on designing three sites together that will provide shelter for almost 200 families overall.

At The Alvarado, design leadership brings a new incarnation to what used to be a rundown, crime-plagued hotel. In reimagining the space, the architects began with the entrance and faux Italianate façade, imbuing it with new energy and vibrancy. Due to budgetary constraints, the Architects could not remodel the exterior structure of the building, so they used it as a canvas for full-scale, artistically bold and creatively designed graphics that present the word HOPE, the client name and mission––in abstract. Paint goes a long way when budgets are low and the welcoming graphic greets each resident with an inspiring message, creating a sense of belonging and dignity. Fostering community acceptance by creating a shared sense of beauty through public art and painting in three dimensions engages viewers on both the urban and pedestrian levels. 

Graphics occupy every suitable surface of the building’s interior, creating a feeling for residents of moving through a colorful composition. The team used the palette to enliven spaces and bring about a sense of ownership, with each floor having its own graphic identity throughout each of the rooms, floors, walls and furnishings – like one’s own neighborhood. The front landscaping is drought tolerant so requires little water; the available open space has been transformed into a dining deck where, through dappled light from borrowed landscape of neighbor’s trees, tenants will be able to enjoy meals outside. Each individual unit averages 280 sq.ft and the project offers interim housing, case management, three daily meals and other support services provided on-site to further help residents adapt to having home-shelter and move towards permanent housing. 

“It is a canvas that’s alive as a place of pride, dignity and sustainable innovation, offering hope for our brothers and sisters in desperate need,” says Nerin Kadribegovic, Founder of Kadre Architects

With the reimagining of The Alvarado, Kadre Architects worked to further advance the state’s sustainability goals by providing a new photovoltaic array, one that will satisfy almost fifty percent of the building’s energy needs. Collaborating closely with the contractors and specialty consultants, the architects were able to eliminate fossil fuels completely and switch the entire building to electric power, instep with the goals of the California Energy Commission. To minimize the heat island effect, the roof is painted white to reflect the heat outwards, which helps to keep the building cool.

“Hope the Mission was pleased to hire and work with Kadre Architects on the design, flow and function of the Alvarado, our newest interim housing facility that will house families experiencing homelessness.  Renovating an old facility is never easy, but Nerin and his team worked magic as they transformed the building from a blight to a state-of-the-art facility that will welcome distressed families during a time of crisis and prepare them for permanent housing.  The Kadre team were incredibly responsive to our needs and desires and delivered a site that not only spells HOPE it gives HOPE!” says Ken Craft, Founder and CEO of Hope The Mission.