Front Street Access and Housing Center

Front Street Access and Housing Center creates a central place in the City of Burbank to add critical case management and housing services to a population that is currently experiencing homelessness. The project leverages an existing warehouse building which will house a soup kitchen and dining hall, laundry services and offices for support and case management as well as meeting spaces. The building anchors two adjacent parcels, one of which will house safe parking while the other will provide emergency housing in individual units for over 50 residents. Each unit will have an en-suite bathroom.

The site stretches over a length of 10 football fields, adjacent to the very busy 5 freeway. The design team thought of this as an opportunity to celebrate the north entrance to the City of Burbank and conceived of a shade structure emblazoned with the City’s name. The structure would be illuminated in a variety of colors that would celebrate numerous holidays. The proposed structure would be constructed out of robotically printed reinforced carbon fiber polymers.

In addition, the design team conceived of a continuous, vivid, interior-exterior street that would guide residents through many programs of the center. The housing units and the interior volumes within a community center are arranged in a playful manner that encourages interaction between the residents.