Los Angeles Mission

Year 2021 

Type Non-profit 

Size 56,000 sq. ft.

Client Los Angeles Mission 

Project Team

Cassidy Williams
Nengjing Li
Isabel Rodriquez
David Thai

The Los Angeles Mission is Los Angeles’ first and one of the nation’s largest service providers to the homeless. In 2021 we redesigned the 500-set fixed seating chapel into a multi-functional space that can accommodate a range of uses - from emergency shelter and large concert event to vaccine clinic. At the same time we redesigned the existing dormitories that formerly housed 250 tightly packed bunk beds for overnight use only. The new design addressed the re-orientation of the programatic needs of the Los Angeles Mission that provide service for the newly instated ‘alternative to incarceration’ program in Los Angeles. To enable participants in the program to stay at the Mission for a period of 2-3 weeks, we designed a ‘home unit’ within the shelter. The ‘home unit’ provides a semi-private space with bed, closet, foldable desktop and USB charging ports for each participant, a first step towards a stabilized home by re-establishing dignity and a sense of belonging. Both project areas were completed by the end of 2021 after an only 8-month design, permitting and construction time. Consequently we provided designs for the lobby, a roof-top cafe and urban roof-top farm.