Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building and Counseling & Learning Center
Case Study

Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building and Counseling & Learning Center

Watts, Los Angeles, CA Collaborators Perkins&Will Featured Artist James J. Farran Highlights Calibre Design Award Nominee Project Scope Lounge areas, lobby, corridors, exam rooms, and community center spaces
Through “Interwoven Unity,” KBAA transforms the Watts Counseling & Learning Center into a vibrant reflection of its community.

Located in the heart of Watts, Los Angeles, the Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building and Counseling & Learning Center stands as a vital resource for healthcare and education. The goal of KBAA’s healthcare art advisors was to curate an art program that not only reflected the neighborhood’s energy and resilience but also fostered an uplifting and inclusive environment for patients, visitors, and staff.

Our 45-piece program for Kaiser Watts was a multi-year project that highlights vibrant, accessible works, incorporating mixed-media collages, woven forms, and unconventional materials. KBAA focused on selecting diverse local talent whose styles resonate with both the spirit of the Watts community and Kaiser Permanente’s brand, creating a strong link between the facility and the community it serves. Through intentional curation, the program emphasizes the power of local storytelling and art to brighten and energize the healthcare environment. The art program celebrates local culture, weaving together stories and creativity that reflect the rich history and promising future of Watts. Drawing on the legacy of Simon Rodia’s iconic Watts Towers, the pieces feature bold colors, geometric mosaics, and intricate patterns, honoring this enduring symbol of resilience and imagination.

The “Interwoven Unity” concept transforms the space into a vibrant, welcoming environment that resonates with patients, visitors, and staff alike. Each artwork fosters a sense of community pride, promoting unity and belonging. By immersing visitors in the cultural values of Watts, the art not only beautifies the space but also strengthens the connection between the facility and the neighborhood. This thoughtful curation ensures that the Kaiser Permanente facility becomes more than just a place for healthcare—it’s a space of hope, inspiration, and meaningful connection, showcasing the transformative power of art.

I love working in metal in the spaces I create because of its ability to accomplish the complexities of engineering, yet still diverse to be soft and light in the production of artistic creations.

– James Farran, “Unity Mobile”

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