HAROLD WAY: Private but public housing

“THERE are no hidden corners here,” says Brian Lane, left, of Koning Eizenberg Architecture in Santa Monica. He wrestled with a tight budget, ignored the pitfall of designing bland affordable housing and found ways to make 51 apartments near a busy intersection off Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood feel safe and private.

As a built-in safety measure, the four-story buildings line up around two interior courtyards. “All units are accessed from exterior walkways so neighbors can see the activities,” says Lane, near one of the open stairways that make it easy to watch comings and goings. Even the community laundry room in this stylish gated complex has windows to the courtyard and playground.

For privacy, entrances to most of the three-bedroom town houses and one- and two-bedroom apartments are set back 3 feet from public walkways to create a porch-like setting. Apartments have their own decks, patios or balconies. Trees and bamboo are strategically placed to screen views for privacy. Bedroom windows are tucked away from areas where people congregate.

Subsidized rents for the 500- to 1,200-square-foot apartments go for $350 to $700. The complex built for the Hollywood Community Housing Corp. received Residential Architect magazine’s affordable housing merit award in 2004.

Future project: Hancock Corner in West Hollywood with stores and restaurants, 38 condos and affordable apartments.

-- J.E.