A groundbreaking affordable housing project in Los Angeles has successfully transformed one of the city's most challenging development sites into a thriving residential community. The Isla Intersections Supportive Housing and Paseo, designed by Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects (LOHA), represents an innovative approach to urban housing development on difficult terrain.
Completed in 2025, the 35,000-square-foot development features 54 residential units and an adjacent paseo, built on a uniquely challenging 19,814-square-foot triangular site. The project unites what was previously a traffic island and a former railroad right-of-way, demonstrating how creative architectural solutions can maximize the potential of unconventional urban parcels.
The project emerged from a 2018 initiative by the City of Los Angeles, which made available more than 1,700 city-owned parcels to affordable housing developers. Many of these sites presented significant challenges, located along heavy-traffic corridors or adjacent to major freeways. The Isla Intersections site exemplifies these difficulties, situated near one of the world's busiest freeway interchanges where the 110 and 105 freeways meet.
This development marks the second collaboration between LOHA and non-profit developer Holos Communities, building on their shared commitment to creating quality affordable housing in Los Angeles. The partnership has focused on tackling sites that other developers might consider too difficult or unconventional for residential development.
The architectural design specifically addresses the challenges of the location, implementing strategies to make the environment more livable despite its proximity to major transportation infrastructure. The project includes thoughtful planning for noise mitigation, air quality considerations, and community space creation within the constraints of the triangular site geometry.
Key project specifications include MEP engineering by Rosini Engineering, construction by Geis, structural engineering by Silman, and civil engineering by DK Engineer Corp. The development utilized materials and products from several manufacturers including Soleffect, Trex, Collectif Tournesol, Giant Containers, Growing Hope, Mohawk Flooring, and Taylor Metal Products.
The project team was led by Principal in Charge Lorcan O'Herlihy and Project Lead Abel Garcia, with contributions from team members Ian Dickenson, Yuval Borochov, Huizhen Ng, Kathryn Sonnabend, and Project Assistant Santiago Tolosa. Their collaborative approach enabled the successful navigation of the site's unique challenges and regulatory requirements.
Photography of the completed project was captured by Eric Staudenmaier, documenting how the development integrates into its urban context while providing quality housing for residents. The visual documentation showcases the project's success in transforming an underutilized urban space into a functional residential community.
The Isla Intersections project represents a significant achievement in Los Angeles' ongoing efforts to address the housing crisis through innovative use of available city-owned land. By demonstrating that even the most challenging sites can be successfully developed for affordable housing, the project sets a precedent for future developments and maximizes the city's housing potential in an era of critical need.
