Designed pro bono by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Children’s Institute Inc., Watts Campus project is a two-story, steel-framed, facility at the corner of E. 102nd Street and Success Avenue in Watts. Designed as a multi-use facility, the building features a central atrium that acts as a congregation space for large community meetings and outdoor, raised seating, which doubles as a stage for community events. Other design features include impact-resistant storefront glass, one-way observation mirrors in the therapy rooms, and landscaping that acts as a visual buffer for the campus.
Several considerations were made throughout construction, led by Oltmans Construction Co., to ensure the campus reflects the Watts community. This included working with the community of Watts and Children’s Institute, Inc. to create a local hire program.
The campus is located in the community of Watts, a historically underserved area in Los Angeles. The new campus houses therapeutic and supportive programs for local children and families including individual and group counseling, parenting workshops, and Project Fatherhood sessions. The building is also home to the Watts Gang Task Force. The new campus is expected to support over 2,000 individuals of all ages annually with programs and services centered on mental health, youth development, school readiness, and family support.
The project team worked together to ensure that the primary project goal of an integrated community space was achieved.
