Transitional Housing Cypress Park: Innovative Community Design by Kadre Architects & Lehrer Architects

The Cypress Park New Beginnings Community, designed collaboratively by Kadre Architects and Lehrer Architects LA, represents a groundbreaking approach in Los Angeles’ response to its ongoing housing crisis. Developed in partnership with the City of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Engineering, this transitional housing project introduces a new typology aimed at providing autonomy, dignity, and privacy to residents on the path toward permanent housing.

The 35,000 sq. ft. site features 34 standalone homes, each thoughtfully designed with a bedroom, bathroom, living area, and kitchenette. Beyond individual units, the campus incorporates a communal living room, offices for case management, laundry facilities, a pet area, and outdoor spaces for dining, recreation, and community-building activities. With Ford Construction as builder, the project continues the team’s history of pioneering housing solutions, including Tiny Home Villages, award-winning multi-unit supportive housing, and Project Homekey motel conversions.

Addressing Complex Site Challenges

The Cypress Park site posed significant design challenges due to its irregular shape, steep slopes, poor soil conditions, and surrounding infrastructure: including the Arroyo Parkway, Golden State Freeway, Avenue 19, and Riverside Drive. Unlike smaller 8x8 ft. Pallet Shelters used in other interim housing projects, these 350 sq. ft. “mini” homes required permanent accessibility features, including ramps for every unit. Creative site planning was essential to maximize usability while fostering a sense of community.

Access to the site is limited to a single entry point, so the architects designed a courtyard housing typology, positioning the homes around a central, open space. Vibrant color palettes of blues and greens, inspired by the work of local Chicano artists Patssi Valdez and Frank Romero, transform the asphalt grounds into playful outdoor “rugs” that unify the community. This intentional use of color and material creates a sense of dignity, identity, and belonging for residents.

Creating Dignified, Vibrant Communities

“New Beginnings provides a template for creating dignified, vibrant communities out of ordinary building blocks,” says Nerin Kadribegovic, Founder of Kadre Architects. “By drawing inspiration from local Chicano artists, the previously overlooked site becomes a vibrant living artwork, offering joy and comfort to residents.”

Michael B. Lehrer, President of Lehrer Architects LA, adds, “The Cypress Park New Beginnings Community transforms a devalued site into an eclectic urban jewel. This project showcases how transitional housing can foster community, respect, and social impact in dense urban environments.”

The project will welcome approximately 100 residents upon opening, operated by the JWCH Institute, emphasizing a holistic approach to supportive housing where families can stay together and thrive.

Pioneering Affordable and Transitional Housing

Kadre Architects, founded in 2022 by Nerin Kadribegovic after two decades at Lehrer Architects, continues to prioritize affordable housing, community-driven design, and urban innovation. Both firms champion cost-effective, high-impact housing solutions that make dignified living spaces accessible to all. By leveraging under-utilized urban land and fast-track construction strategies, the Cypress Park project exemplifies how architecture can address social challenges while enhancing city life.

All photographs are works of  Kadre Architects