This adaptive reuse project transforms a 110-year-old brick and bowstring truss soundstage into a colorful landscape of interior and exterior spaces for a new Early Head Start Center. The preschool serves 64 children in nine classrooms for infants and toddlers, administrative and support spaces and 3,000 s.f. of playground, in a dense site In East Hollywood. 

The spatial character of the existing building reemerges in the new design, an important factor in the success of this learning environment. The openness of the interior allows daylight to permeate the space while the strong visual communication between classes supports teamwork among caregivers.

Established by the Youth Policy Institute and part of the L.A. Promise Zone initiative, this preschool is the result of a true public-private partnership to improve educational opportunities in this community.