Cloverfield Services Center
Santa Monica, CA
OPCC is the largest and most comprehensive provider of services on the west side of Los Angeles to low income and homeless youth, adults and families, battered women and their children, and people living with mental illness. Finding a home to expand their services in Santa Monica was a challenging task. Neighborhood concerns and expensive real estate limited the effort until they discovered an existing two-story light commercial building at a very busy intersection near the 10 Freeway. The building’s large structural spans and adjacent outside space made it a good fit for its intended use and the building was deemed appropriate for renovation. Secure, outside space is an essential element of the Cloverfield Services Center’s program, but the city did not want a tall, undifferentiated wall addressing the sidewalk and public view. The solution was to provide a colorful glazed block wall tall enough to protect the residents’ privacy, but punctuated with openings of varying sizes, some with vine-colored vinyl coated chain link. Skylights flood the interior space with natural light and translucent panels control the diffused sunlight on western and southern exposures. Exterior materials include Trespa composite panels, exterior plaster and landscaped metal screen trellises.