LOS ANGELES—KFA Architects has recently completed the Jack and Cindy Jones Youth Center, a project of the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. The project required the firm work with a non-profit owner to design the project, a much different experience that working with a market-rate developer. The $1.7 million project will expand services to youth in Mar Vista.

“Working for non-profit organizations is very different than working for for-profit entities in that they each pursue different bottom lines,” Wade Killefer, a partner at KFA Architects, tells GlobeSt.com. “A business exists to make money, to return profit to investors and stakeholders. A non-profit has a social purpose; the Boys and Girls Club's mission is 'to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as caring, responsible, productive citizens.'”

This is not the firm's first experience working with non-profit organizations. It has designed several youth and community projects throughout Los Angeles including the Challengers Boys & Girls Club & Tennis Pavilion for youth living in South Los Angeles.

For this project, the firm redeveloped an outdated recreation center. “The goal was very simple, to turn an old tired recreation building into a bright encouraging space that helps young people reach their full potential,” says Killefer. “With a limited budget we added windows, skylights and clerestories to fill the learning spaces with light. We also relied on an active color palette to enliven the floor plane. LED lighting lifts and lightens the ceilings.”

The facility will benefit 600 children living in the community, providing character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, technology and sports/fitness/recreation opportunities. It was made possible by the voter-approved Proposition K funding.

Instant Insights /

The Art of Designing for Non-Profits

Related Stories

Recommended For You