The Cove

The Cove forges a deliberate relationship with existing buildings, open space and circulation.

PROJECT SUMMARY
Client:              CADI
Landscape: MJS Landscape Architecture
Location:         2121 W. Williams St. Long Beach, CA 90810
Units:               90 Units (89 Studio Units,1 Manager)
Size:                70,917 SF (37,357 Residential NSF)
Density: 104 du/ac
Status:            Completed Spring 2024

The Century Villages at Cabrillo (CVC) is a 27-acre campus community comprised of housing for homeless veterans and families, plus on-site supportive services geared around the vision of breaking the cycle of homelessness.  The third of The Architects Collective’s projects at CVC, The Cove densifies the campus while preserving a sense of home, security and community.  The project forges a deliberate relationship with existing buildings, open space and circulation, while purposefully integrating with future phases of campus development.  It engages with a neighboring building (Casa de Cabrillo), realigns the adjacent street and expands the existing pedestrian circulation network.  The “U”-shaped building enlarges and completes an existing courtyard to the north.  The multi-purpose room and kitchen, located along the main façade, both enliven the street.  A volume containing the classroom and computer lab, located along the pedestrian path, separates from the building and rotates slightly, as though gravitationally pulled toward the center of campus. The lobby is accessed via the building entrance between the two.  Social service offices, fitness room and laundry room complete the ground-floor program.  A campus CycleHub tucks into the west side of the building, activating the pedestrian path with bike storage and repairs.  Embraced by apartments, a courtyard situated above the parking becomes a center of activity for residents of both buildings.  The belvedere, accessed by a grand staircase, looks out toward the grade-level courtyard below.  The Cove thoughtfully maintains existing campus features such as a majestic allée of old-growth Eucalyptus trees and a popular sand volleyball court.