Founded in 1961 in Pasadena, Villa Esperanza Services provides educational, therapeutic, and job support services for developmentally disabled children and adults. The proposed project supports Villa’s mission and community presence through a complete re-visioning of their existing Pasadena campus in three phases: Phase I, completed in 2017, included six classrooms, and a multi-purpose room. Phase II will include three new classrooms, an occupational therapy clinic, a preschool therapy clinic, a behavioral therapy clinic and a physical education center. Phase III will provide job support services, a speech therapy center and Villa’s administrative offices.
The architectural expression is inspired by the specific neurodivergent needs of Villa’s clients and the character of the surrounding context. The array of new programs is divided into legible, vernacular building forms that converge in unexpected ways to define exterior courtyards for learning, play, healing, and respite. These playful, easily identifiable building masses employ monolithic exterior color strategies that shift with program. This visually celebrates Villa’s wide range of support programs and facilitates wayfinding in a way that is catered to the visual sensory considerations of Villa’s clients.
Façade materials are selected for their tactile sensory qualities. Contextual façade materials, including smooth stucco, shingles and board and batten siding, are layered to further define the unique character of each building mass. These materials invite user engagement through touch, especially for students at exterior play courtyards and classroom patios. The interior spaces are similarly designed to consider tactile comfort, acoustic control, and balanced lighting. These design strategies result in a lively campus village that reflects both Villa’s outward-facing community engagement and their inward-facing commitment to providing compassionate services for their clients.
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