26th Street Low-Income Housing

Santa Monica, California

Kanner Architects

Inspired by the work of Modernist architects Irving Gill and Richard Neutra, this 44-unit, low-income housing project features the smooth white-plaster envelope of California Modernist architecture of the early 20th century. The floor plan offers the latest in sustainability, with communal interaction as a primary goal. Passive heating and cooling systems are incorporated into the design, including louvers shading west-facing windows from the heat of the afternoon sun. A landscaped courtyard and community room encourage neighborly interaction, while dual-glazed and laminated windows keep urban decibels from penetrating into the quiet apartment interiors.

Link to AIA Honor Awards