Griffin Structures provided program and construction management services for the Buena Park Navigation Center. The facility was funded through a partnership called the North Orange County Service Planning Area (North SPA) comprised of the Cities of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Orange, Placentia, Villa Park, Stanton, and Yorba Linda.

The 15,360 SF, 150-bed facility provides shelter and comprehensive services for homeless single men and women and their respective pets as well as couples. The sleeping quarters includes dormitory-type living spaces with access to gender specific and gender neutral restrooms and showers. The facility also includes a warming kitchen, common space for dining/lounging, multipurpose rooms for group therapy and program sessions, a medical clinic, and administrative space.  The building is situated on a 1.5-acre site and accommodates exterior courtyards, storage areas for personal belongings, a dog run and wash area, and parking for residents and service providers from Mercy House, the shelter operator.

Innovative construction of utilizing modular shipping containers customized by Crate Modular allowed for an expedited delivery schedule and reduced project costs. The modular units was built out and approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in Crate Modular’s facility concurrently as the site work was underway, resulting in significant schedule savings. Once site development—demolition, grading, foundations, stubbed utility connections—was completed, units were delivered and set in place, utilities connected, and furnishings installed. The sustainable units are low maintenance and offers cost and schedule savings over new construction and remodel alternatives to provide supportive housing solutions. The project was designed to meet LEED Silver® specifications.

Buena Park Navigation Center from LPA on Vimeo.