Shigeru Ban Architects has broken ground on a 1,600-square-foot Center for Community in Altadena, commissioned by Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) as part of Los Angeles’ long-term wildfire recovery strategy. Framed by a vaulted timber structure and supported by repurposed shipping containers, the project emphasizes speed, cost efficiency, and minimal waste. Designed to house mental health services, workshops, and neighborhood programming, the center is expected to be completed within two to three months at an estimated cost of $300,000.
A new community landmark is taking shape in Altadena. Designed by Shigeru Ban Architects, the forthcoming Center for Community has officially broken ground along Lincoln Avenue. The 1,600-square-foot facility is envisioned as a hub for healing, learning, and gathering in the wake of the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.
Commissioned by the humanitarian organization Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), the project forms a central piece of the group’s long-term wildfire recovery initiative. Once completed, the center will host mental health services, educational workshops, and neighborhood programming—providing both practical support and a renewed sense of belonging for residents rebuilding their lives.