Altadena Girls

The Altadena Girls Community Center reimagines a vacant commercial space in downtown Pasadena as a permanent sanctuary for teen girls to heal, create, and connect following the devastating 2025 Eaton Fire. Designed as a flexible, youth-centered hub, the space balances vibrant studios for music, podcasting, and movement with quiet areas for reflection and focus.

Working within a limited budget, the design emphasizes adaptability, clear zoning, and multi-use rooms that allow programming to evolve over time. A dignity-focused boutique, welcoming lounges, and restorative spaces foster belonging and self-expression.

Sustainability and innovation guided the transformation: donated materials, selective upgrades, improved lighting, and targeted acoustical enhancements minimized waste while maximizing impact. Through thoughtful reuse and community collaboration, a crisis response has become a resilient, community-powered home where teens can gather and thrive.