Site:

The Design and Media Arts Center (DMAC) at LATTC is a dynamic educational facility that bridges the bustling urban environment of Downtown Los Angeles with the collaborative energy of the campus. Located at the prominent intersection of Washington Boulevard and South Grand Avenue, DMAC serves as both a gateway to the campus and a creative landmark for the city. Housing programs such as Fashion Design, Digital Media, and Visual Communications alongside general classrooms and administrative spaces, the building fosters an environment of innovation and collaboration. Its tiered massing balances functionality with the surrounding urban context, with taller street-facing arms shielding the campus from noise while the lower mass curves toward the campus, creating a welcoming transition that encourages movement and connection.

The building’s design is defined by curving transitions that extend from the exterior to the interior, shaping circulation pathways and connecting key spaces like the central courtyard, exhibition galleries, and green areas. The interplay between the grounded, heavier lower mass and the lighter, fluid upper levels symbolizes stability and creativity. The central courtyard serves as the heart of the structure, uniting contrasting forms and fostering social interaction. Galleries, social spaces, and features like the fashion show catwalk—linking the second-floor Gold Thimble Room to an outdoor auditorium—further enhance the seamless integration of interior and exterior spaces. Inspired by the folds of fabric, the building’s facade reflects the creativity of the programs it houses while maintaining a functional and visually engaging form.

DMAC’s circulation strategy connects the urban street, campus pathways, and internal spaces, promoting exploration and engagement. Two primary entrances provide intuitive access points. The street-side entrance draws the public into a glass-lined corridor showcasing student exhibits, while the campus-side entrance, under the tiered massing, leads to the central courtyard through an equally inviting passageway. These curving routes enhance the user experience by emphasizing movement and accessibility, reinforcing the building’s flow and connection.

The programmatic organization fosters collaboration and accessibility across all levels. The ground floor hosts public-facing programs like the Sign and Graphics Combined Lab, with large glass exhibition spaces at the street corner to engage passersby. Louder labs, such as woodcraft and leatherwork studios, buffer noise from quieter academic spaces above. The central courtyard anchors circulation, surrounded by galleries and green spaces that encourage social interaction. The second floor is dedicated to fashion programs, with glass-walled labs promoting visibility and collaboration. Green spaces of varying sizes offer areas for gathering or quiet reflection, while the Gold Thimble Room serves as a multifunctional space for senior projects and fashion shows, connected seamlessly to the outdoor auditorium by a catwalk.

The third floor houses Illustration and Production Labs, a student lounge, and faculty offices, creating a hub for academic and social engagement. Each floor integrates classrooms, labs, and faculty spaces to encourage interdisciplinary connections. A grand staircase, harmonizing with the building’s curves, links all levels, reinforcing unity and interaction.

In conclusion, DMAC exemplifies LATTC’s commitment to innovation and design excellence. Its thoughtful integration of urban and academic contexts, through tiered massing, curving transitions, and a central courtyard, creates a transformative space that inspires creativity, supports collaboration, and fosters community. As both a cultural landmark and a hub for student creativity, DMAC invites exploration and connection, embodying the vibrant spirit of the college and the city.

Group Participation:

This project was a collaborative effort between myself, Megan Volheim, and my partner, Jenson Fajardo, as part of a two-student team under the guidance of Professor Sarah Lorenzen. My contributions focused on creating all the plans and producing the document sets, while Jenson concentrated on building the physical model and generating the project renders, which I reviewed and critiqued alongside Professor Lorenzen. The program strategy, overall concept, and outdoor areas’ nature appeal were largely developed by me, while Jenson contributed to materiality decisions and the separation of materials. The project’s aesthetics were a collaborative endeavor, with the facade design evolving from an earlier concept of mine that inspired our final facade design led by Jenson. Additionally, I independently designed the sheet aesthetics to align with the project’s overall vision. The project reflects the fusion of Jenson’s preference for straight-line, geometric forms and my inclination toward natural, fluid shapes. This blending of contrasting styles, while challenging, enriched the design, resulting in a cohesive and dynamic final project that embodies the innovative and collaborative spirit of the DMAC.