The new 20,000-square-foot Children’s Institute (CII) campus in Los Angeles designed by Frank Gehry is set to open later this month. This is the non-profit’s first-ever purpose-built home in the community of Watts.
Located at Success Avenue and East 102nd Street in South Los Angeles, the $25.79 million campus functions to centralize CII’s operations in the area. It will provide space for 150 CII staff members and will house a range of therapeutic programs and free services for children and families, including toddler socialization, individual and group counseling, youth development activities, parenting workshops, workforce development/employment support, and Project Fatherhood sessions. The facility will also be home to community-based organizations Watts Gang Task Force and the LAPD Community Safety Partnership.
One of the primary goals of the project was to help strengthen the connection between CII and the Watts community. Therefore, the building is designed to operate as both a community center and a therapy center, offering flexible public spaces that can be used for neighborhood council meetings and community events, along with providing transparent and accessible entry points.
The design team aimed to create a welcoming, approachable space that would feel usable by the community. The building’s façade is fashioned to relate to the surrounding single-family residences, while also reflecting the scale of the programs inside. The structure is composed of simple interlocking volumes made of plaster and corrugated metal cladding. Ample natural lighting is filtered into the building’s interior via large windows and skylights throughout. Double-height public spaces are scaled to accommodate larger community gatherings, while open office areas on the second floor opens to the central atrium below. A series of smaller group and individual therapy rooms are featured along the atrium, as well.
“A building design can tell a kid that we love you,” said Frank Gehry. “A building that is optimistic, that is outgoing and friendly to the community, sends a powerful message of support and care. I hope this building will serve and inspire children, families, and this great organization for generations to come, and let them know that people care about them.”
The new CII campus will officially open on June 25th with a “Community Celebration” that will host activities, performances, and the opportunity to explore the space.
5 Comments
old school gehry
In this case, the old school is the best school.
Curvy wacky forms for adults, rectilinear serious forms for kids…ok
A great reminder of how FOG's best work is done on low budgets. This is beautiful, with nary a meaningless swoop in sight.
Could not agree more.
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