James M. Wood Community Center

The James M. Wood Community Center, designed for Skid Row seniors and those in recovery, features a 12.2-meter civic colonnade that transforms the intersection by becoming the new eastern edge of the existing park across the street. The design creates two vital public spaces:
a ground floor "community living room" and a rooftop garden terrace. With a 5.5-meter high ceiling and extensive natural light, the center extends an invitation to the s homeless and low-income population, so often overlooked and under-served by drab buildings. The community’s overwhelming response to this project reaffirms the notion that beauty is fundamental to human dignity, and it is no more acutely needed and felt than at the lowest end of the social ladder.

"Jim would have liked it because it sends a message to people who live in one of the most difficult places in L.A. that there are good things in life for everyone."
- Janice Wood, Board Member and Widow of James W. Wood | LA Downtown News
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Civic
Location
Downtown LA - Los Angeles, California
Client
Size
8,000 SF
Status
Completed 2002
Awards
2003   Los Angeles Buisness Council Award of Excellence in Institutional Category
2003   Gold Nugget Grand Award for Excellence for Building Industry Community Spirit
2003   Gold Nugget Grand Award for Excellence for the Best Special Use Facility
2003   Westside Urban Forum Prize
2004   AIA California Merit Award for Excellence in Design
2005   AIA California Grand Award
Grand Award - Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada, American Institute of Architects - California Council, 2005
Merit Award for Excellence in Design, American Institute of Architects - California Council, 2004
Award of Excellence for 'exceptional contribution' in Institutional Category, Los Angeles Business Council, 2003
Gold Nugget Grand Award for Excellence and Value for Building Industry Community Spirit, Pacific Coast Builders Conference, 2003
Gold Nugget Grand Award for Excellence and Value for the Best Public/Private Special Use Facility, Pacific Coast Builders Conference, 2003
Westside Prize, Westside Urban Forum, 2003
Project Team

Structural Engineer:
Samir Ekmekji, Reiss Brown Ekmekji

Geotechnical Engineer:
R.T. Frankian & Associates

Civil Engineer:
Perfecto Arca, P.A. Arca Engineering

Landscape Architect:
Mia Lehrer + Associates

Landscape Architect
Studio-MLA
Swimming Pool Engineer
Jones & Madhavan
Jones & Madhavan
Jones & Madhavan
Project Management
City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks
City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering