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The idea for Watts Works originated from the need to address homelessness in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles through innovative, cost-effective housing solutions. Developers Daylight Community Development and Decro Corporation were inspired by the potential of modular construction using shipping containers to create efficient, affordable housing. By transforming a vacant single-family lot into a high-density supportive housing community, the project aimed to provide not only shelter but also essential services. This project leveraged Proposition HHH funds from Mayor Garcetti’s Housing Innovation Challenge.
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Watts Works replaces a dilapidated single family home with a vibrant community asset. Positioned at the intersection of Compton Avenue and East 95th Street, the project activates the streets with a ground floor community room that opens onto a landscaped patio. A bus stop in front of the project provides convenient regional access for residents. The street facade is articulated with exterior stairs to add vibrance against a calm facade. The open stairways promote cross-ventilation and physical well-being while connecting various open spaces. The massing steps down one floor on the south side in response to the lower scale of the adjacent structure, providing a well used rooftop terrace. Watts Works blends with the neighborhood as a model for sustainable, high-density urban development.
The project starts by recycling used shipping containers reducing material waste by 15%. Watts Works was one of three global case studies highlighting the business case for circular building published by the World Business Organization of Sustainable Development in Geneva, Switzerland, and presented at the UN COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland. If the project ever needed to be relocated, the exterior finish would be removed and utilities disconnected, the containers including interior finishes, cabinets, and appliances could be reused, reducing materials typically disposed of into the waste stream. Awards: Architect's Newspaper Best of Design Award For Social Impact and Project of the Year Finalist. AIA: LA Residential, LA Design Merit Award, OC Merit Award Westside Urban Forum Merit Award
Watts Works combines two 8’x20’ shipping containers to create 320-square-foot micro-units. Modified off-site, the containers were delivered with interiors, fixtures, and appliances, minimizing construction time and cost. Exterior fiber cement panels were added to meet community preferences and allow for external insulation.The result was total project costs that were lower ($448k per unit) than typical affordable cost per unit ($500k per unit) in Los Angeles. In addition, the project schedule for the modular component was reduced to a fifteen day approval process by the State of California with additional time savings by initiating modular construction while site work was being completed.
The design embraces unit density on a single parcel of land that responds carefully to adjacent context and is complemented with abundant open space. Areas of gathering include a tranquility garden, backyard, and rooftop terrace with city wide views. Open air corridors and stairs connect the residents to light and natural ventilation. The front stair is woven with vertical steel cables allowing for the growth of vines further engaging residents with nature. This approach serves as a model for building affordable housing for a population in greatest need, the unhoused, through quality design and adopting modular technologies.
The goal of Watts Works is to serve as a model to mitigate high construction costs associated with affordable housing. This was achieved by creating micro-units using modular construction to reduce schedule and cost. The success has resulted in the same team developing three more affordable projects, all currently under construction. Watts Works also serves as a thoughtful example of dense urban infill leveraging a 6,140 square foot parcel to achieve an equivalent density of 180 units per acre.
Studio One Eleven is an integrated practice of architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture dedicated to restoring communities. With over 20 years of experience our work falls into four practice themes, housing for all, building community and place, renewing the public realm, 21st century mobility while always integrating equity and sustainability. Our firm is known for its innovative, collaborative and sustainable approach to community-oriented design.
We have completed over 1,200 affordable housing units for over a dozen developers in Southern California. This includes places for seniors, veterans, formerly unhoused, artists and families. Our focus includes exploring solutions to the high cost of housing. We believe both volumetric and flat pack modular complemented by design excellence serves as a solution to lower construction costs. We pride ourselves in modular expertise with seven projects under construction that includes container, metal and wood construction.
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