SoCal Men’s Health Clinic, Los Angeles

The SoCal Men’s Health Foundation commissioned JSA/MIXdesign to collaborate with Wolcott Architecture to create a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ youth of color in South Central Los Angeles. Funded by the National Institute of Health, the objective of this pilot project is to counter the intimidation and stigma associated with “queer” healthcare by combining the clinic with a “club,” conceived of as a vibrant multi-purpose destination animated by a café, event space and vocational training office.

Located within the gutted shell of a former Art Deco bank, the project is organized around a Stalled! Wet Core, containing a changing room (located in the repurposed vault,) communal washing station, privacy stalls and two lounges.  The Core, treated as a porous freestanding object, activates a series of activity spaces belonging to the Club and Clinic that surround it’s perimeter facade.

The Core’s southern face defines the backdrop of the Event Space, used for hosting dance/exercise classes, lectures, performances and runway shows. Operable glazed partitions allow this multi-purpose zone to be closed off from the Café and vocational space. The rear of the core defines the medical clinic, accessible from a separate entrance for those patients who want privacy.  

Finally, the neighboring Event Space fosters community over the course of day and evening, by hosting events ranging from vocational classes, dance/exercise programs, lectures, and runway shows.