{"id":5145,"date":"2026-02-11T19:00:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T20:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/angesfinanciers.org\/?p=5145"},"modified":"2026-02-20T08:51:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T08:51:04","slug":"kadre-architects-converts-rundown-los-angeles-motel-into-permanent-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/angesfinanciers.org\/index.php\/2026\/02\/11\/kadre-architects-converts-rundown-los-angeles-motel-into-permanent-housing\/","title":{"rendered":"Kadre Architects converts rundown Los Angeles motel into permanent housing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Bright colours<\/a> and curvy pathways are found at a supportive housing complex in Los Angeles<\/a>‘ East Compton neighbourhood, which was designed by US studio Kadre Architects<\/a> to “strike a balance between a serious and playful feel”.<\/span><\/p>\n

The project involved transforming a neglected motel in East Compton \u2013 a community that lies just outside the city of Compton \u2013 into a 40-unit housing complex for tenants who were formerly unhoused<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Kadre
Kadre Architects has converted a rundown LA motel into permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The design is meant to be suitable for people who have experienced trauma, and for people of varying ages.<\/p>\n

“This community will be home to a mix of adults and families, so we needed to strike a balance between a serious and playful feel for the place,” said Los Angeles-based Kadre Architects<\/a> founder\u00a0Nerin Kadribegovic.<\/p>\n

\"Kadre
The design is meant to be suitable for people who have experienced trauma<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The site consists of two buildings \u2013 one with two levels, the other with three \u2013 arranged in an L-shape around a park-like courtyard<\/a>. The site totals 22,000 square feet (2,044 square metres).<\/p>\n

The building’s facades were painted a creamy white, with accent colours \u2013 like concrete grey, yellow and green \u2013 used in certain areas.<\/p>\n

\"Communal
Bright communal areas feature inside<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A grid of custom, perforated-metal<\/a> panels were placed on the exterior to provide shade and privacy.<\/p>\n

“These panels help create arcade-like walkways that criss-cross the exterior of the property at each level, creating a liminal space between private dwellings and the communal courtyard below,” the team said.<\/p>\n

\"Creamy
The building’s facades were painted a creamy white<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kadre Architects said that when designing for people who have experienced trauma, one has to consider their comfort level with communal spaces and engaging with neighbours.<\/p>\n

The in-between spaces allow for “concealed participation in community life” and help ease the process of integration into what was designed to be a residential community, the team said.<\/p>\n

\"Kadre
The in-between spaces allow for “concealed participation in community life”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The site’s courtyard \u2013 envisioned as a “unifying central park” \u2013 was formerly a concrete parking lot riddled by dumpsters. It presented a significant opportunity for the design team, due to its centrality and connection to each unit.<\/p>\n

“The site had an inefficient, downright dreadful parking lot which was ripe to leverage for a courtyard-driven campus, full of playful and meditative moments,” said Kadribegovic.<\/p>\n

\"Unit
Inside the complex, one finds 36 studio units<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lot was transformed into a welcoming outdoor space with seating, a play mound and a dedicated dog area.<\/p>\n

Vivid yellow pathways wind through the site and connect to the living units, which have matching yellow doors. The pathways were informed by aerial photographs of amusement parks, taken by American photographer Alex MacLean<\/a>.<\/p>\n