NEW SRO : [19] SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY UNITS
The proposed Single Room Occupancy [SRO] Unit concept features a two story set of two adjacent
apartment blocks located just off the newly proposed Humbert Avenue cul-de-sac. The buildings are
easily accessed from the proposed parking lot and newly proposed pedestrian sidewalk. The proposed
buildings form a modest complex of nineteen SRO Studio Type Units, a common activity room with
a trellis covered outdoor patio space and an enclosed laundry room. Ample auto and bicycle parking
locations have been provided for the residents.
The different residents of the SRO Units will each enjoy a small community environment with private units and one common activity room for social interactions. To create a measure of autonomy for the individual tenants each area of the small apartment site can be accessed from different locations on the property. By creating multiple access possibilities to the units we are able to eliminate the need for a single point of entry to the different units. The layout of the units and the orientation of the common areas are centered on a central landscaped courtyard that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment. The individual units on the first floor are oriented with individual entry doorways facing into the central courtyard; sliding glass doors provide privacy on the opposite ends of the unit wings that face outward into private landscape and patio areas. The second floor units are joined by a covered catwalk leading to individual recessed entryways; sliding glass doors provide privacy on the opposite ends of these upper units that open to small balconies facing into the central court. The immediate buildings and surrounding grounds provide the occupants with a safe and secure environment with appropriate privacy and sense of ownership. The quality of the architecture, material and form are meant to respond to the site and the neighborhood to create a place of pride and interest.
The concept for the structure and configuration of the Single Room Occupancy [SRO] Unit design as
proposed is based on a simple modular structural system provided by the extremely strong steel frame
of a twenty foot shipping cargo container; otherwise known as the Intermodal Structural Building Unit
[ISBU]. The building unit design is based on a modular design concept we call ME:LU which is an acronym
for Modular Expandable Living Unit. By using the regular form and strength characteristic of the
ISBU, we are able to derive an economical method for framing the majority of the entire nineteen unit
apartment complex. As shown in the floor plan diagram, each module of units is comprised of a first
and second floor consisting of four units supported by a conventional perimeter foundation system.
Each floor layout supports two Single Room or Studio Type units with a central bathroom, mechanical and
kitchen core. The central core is framed from conventional steel stud framing which allows for
workability in routing the internal elements such as plumbing, ventilation, electrical and shear wall construction.
The stacking of the ISBU along with the central core structural shear wall element, provides
an efficient and strong building frame.
© 2009 AB design studio, inc. c o p y r i g h t: All ideas, designs, and drawings included within these documents are the sole ownership of AB DESIGN STUDIO,INC. and are solely instruments of service for the construction of this proj- ect. They are not to be traced,copied, scanned, reprinted, reproduced, or otherwise used without the expressed and written consent of AB DESIGN STUDIO, INC. All copies to be returned to AB DESIGN STUDIO, INC. un- less specific arrangements have been made in writing between AB DESIGN STUDIO, INC. and its clients, consultants, etc. All rights reserved per California Law and Title 17, U.S. Code. © 2009 AB design studio, inc.
