Kaiser Permanente Watts Health and Learning Pavilion
Kaiser Permanente Watts aims to improve health equity in the Watts community by providing high-quality medical care, social services, and educational opportunities via state-of-the-art medical offices and the expanded Watts Counseling and Learning Center (CLC).
The medical offices serve roughly 39,000 residents with primary care, specialty care, an on-site pharmacy, lab, and radiology services. The CLC offers counseling, educational programs, and early childhood education.
Located on a single campus, this project fosters collaboration between medical and social services to address comprehensive health needs. It’s a testament to Kaiser Permanente’s long-term commitment to the Watts community and its residents’ well-being.
Born out of the aftermath of the 1965 Watts riots, the project embodies a transformative vision. Kaiser Permanente social worker Bill Coggins recognized the need for healing and played a key role in establishing the CLC in 1967. Today, Kaiser Permanente, working alongside the Watts community, has revitalized the CLC and expanded healthcare access.
Our design approach reflects this story of resilience and community spirit. The building’s interlocking design places the CLC and the medical offices in close proximity while maintaining their distinct identities, emphasizing the integrated nature of healthcare, mental health, and social services.
The Kaiser Permanente Watts project prioritizes connection. A central outdoor plaza serves as the main entry point, welcoming staff and visitors. Surrounding it are key services: the CLC preschool, a play area, the medical building, a café, and community rooms.
A mosaic depicts a grid of fruits and vegetables, reflecting the CLC’s past efforts to address limited access to fresh produce in Watts. The mosaic becomes a historical marker, woven into the architecture and symbolizing the CLC’s commitment to the community.
The focus on storytelling continues inside. The interior design is inspired by geodes, a symbol of the community’s resilience. A primary grey palette fills the interior space and is accented by bursts of color indicative of a geode’s vibrant interior. These highlights of color serve as a wayfinding system and add another layer of meaning to the space.
Kaiser Permanente Watts is a renewed pillar of well-being for Watts residents. It’s a practical and hopeful step forward, expanding healthcare access while reflecting the community’s ongoing story.
We aspired to weave a narrative of hope and care throughout the project. Color, form, and materials all play a role in this story, from the vibrant mosaic artwork to the overall building shape. By creating spaces inspired by the community’s spirit, the project aims to transcend mere function. It strives to elevate both personal and collective well-being, contributing to a brighter future for Watts.
Project Team
Related Content
