This renovation of the Vista Village Family Support Center (formerly Home-SAFE Early Head Start) provides childcare, counseling, and parent education for underserved children in Los Angeles and Hollywood. The challenge was to unify two distinct buildings while staying within a limited federal grant budget.

The solution was to strip the buildings down and add a playful, perforated aluminum screen that connects the structures and offers privacy for the outdoor playground. Using materials salvaged from the buildings, the screen features a gradient pattern with varying perforations, designed for both privacy and light. The 31 metal panels with 369 circle cutouts give the center a vibrant, welcoming presence along Melrose Avenue. The design, which energizes children, was a team effort with fabricator Arktura, Vista Village staff, and the AUX team.