HED designed a space for studying, socializing, and dining at the Los Angeles City College new Student Union in Los Angeles, California.

The new Student Union at Los Angeles City College is a multi-story landmark celebrating diversity and community; a flagship facility that is sustainable, timeless and celebratory of the campus’ Hollywood history and legacy. The program supports these goals by including an extensive range of services, organizations and multi-use interior and exterior spaces for student and community activities and interaction.

In order to foster collaborative learning and interaction among a diverse student community, the Student Union provides a wide range of functions within a coherent design that provides a place for all students. The two main building elements are the three-story high “anchor” volume and the sloped plaza. The first forms the south eastern campus edge with its high mass and provides a face to the surrounding urban community. The terraced plaza extends the campus outdoor activity from the first to the third floor providing open and interactive spaces for special events, performances, classrooms, and banquets.

The project was honored with a Los Angeles Architectural Award in 2014, and a Western Pacific Region Excellence Award in 2011 from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA).

Architect: HED
Photography: Benny Chan