THE JUSTIFICATION:

                         Gang culture  is part of life growing up in South Central Los Angeles. Gangs create artificial barriers that are reinforced through violence, graffiti , and physical presence. The introduction of an architecture language that promotes innovation and technology can prevent children from  joining gangs.  Addressing problems of race, gangs, and social environment. Learning from history and how innovative disruption can affect that status quo of a community.

THE STRATEGY:

     Located in one of Los Angeles most violent streets, Vermont ave is activated at various times of the day, week, and year. The site is sectioned into zones activated symbiotically by cultural unifiers, which include food, music,  sports, and religion. The largest zone is an innovation center/ start-up space, with open floor plans that allows for ideas to exchange freely and allows for the culture of interdependence between the community and the program users.