Projects
Legacy LA Child Development Center
Project Info
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California
STATUS
Completed in 2019
SIZE
14,200 SQ. FT.
ROLE
Architect
MARKET
Non-profit
EXPERTISE
Architecture
Designed to honor the community culture and the historic building
The Legacy LA Child Development Center is a community-driven adaptive reuse project located within the historic Ramona Gardens Armory in Boyle Heights. Originally constructed in the 1940s as a U.S. Military armory serving Hazard Park, the structure included barracks, a mess hall, auditorium, and basement spaces. RACAIA led the complete transformation of this aging civic structure into a 14,200-square-foot youth and community development center—repositioning it as a cultural and educational anchor for young people living in the Ramona Gardens public housing development.
The project involved a full interior and exterior renovation, including new educational areas, multiple classrooms, staff offices, restrooms, flexible swing spaces for community events, a youth center, and a technology center. The main lobby was structurally upgraded and reimagined as a black box theater and gathering space, while a foldable glass storefront creates a seamless indoor–outdoor connection to the central courtyard. The redesign promotes leadership development, engagement, and community inclusion while supporting future program growth.
From the onset, the project was organized around two core objectives: understanding how users would occupy and grow within the space, and evaluating the structural capacity of the 60-year-old building to determine what could be altered without compromising budget feasibility. RACAIA conducted extensive field verification and building systems evaluations due to the lack of reliable as-built drawings. Existing deficiencies—including partially grouted CMU walls, deteriorated wood framing, corroded plumbing, insufficient electrical infrastructure, and lack of accessible routes—were identified early and strategically addressed during design to prevent costly construction-phase impacts.
The delivery method was Construction Manager at Risk (Design-Bid-Build), with Pacifica Services Inc. serving as Construction Manager. Funding availability significantly influenced the project schedule, requiring phased implementation aligned with government and community fundraising efforts. Originally budgeted at $6 million, the project scope was strategically refined during Schematic Design to align with available funding—reducing costs by nearly half while preserving the core design intent. Non-essential elements, such as the basement classroom conversion, were deferred to future phases.
RACAIA worked closely with community leaders, nonprofit representatives, youth stakeholders, City of Los Angeles officials, and local political offices to develop a comprehensive program reflective of real user needs. The team supported fundraising efforts by preparing presentation materials, attending community events, and assisting in grant coordination—ensuring the project remained viable throughout funding cycles.
Completed in early 2019, the Legacy LA Child Development Center stands as a revitalized civic landmark that supports educational advancement, cultural inclusion, and youth empowerment. The project exemplifies RACAIA’s ability to lead complex adaptive reuse initiatives through collaborative engagement, technical rigor, and strategic phasing—transforming underutilized infrastructure into resilient, community-centered environments.
Check out our construction photos:
