Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete called the project an example of “innovation, ingenuity, and flexibility” in tackling the region’s housing shortage
A new modular affordable housing project in Santa Monica is nearing completion, marking a shift in how the city approaches housing development. Berkeley Station, a 13-unit building designed for low-income families and at-risk youth, is the city’s first modular affordable housing project and is expected to be finished by October.
The project, developed by the nonprofit Community Corporation of Santa Monica in partnership with modular construction firm Plant Prefab, uses prefabricated units built off-site in Tejon Ranch. The modular units were installed over three days on a narrow infill lot, cutting down on the typical construction timeline by six months.
Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete called the project an example of “innovation, ingenuity, and flexibility” in tackling the region’s housing shortage. The building’s design incorporates the Nest Toolkit, a prefabricated construction system developed by architect Brooks + Scarpa in collaboration with Plant Prefab. The system, aimed at reducing design and construction time, previously won a $1 million grant from the L.A. County Housing Innovation Challenge.
Once completed, Berkeley Station will include a rooftop deck, a community garden, a central courtyard, and laundry facilities. The all-electric building is designed to meet LEED Gold standards and will feature solar panels and Energy Star appliances.
Community Corporation of Santa Monica has been developing affordable housing in the city since 1982, with more than 95 properties completed.
