The Trans Health and Wellness Center serves as the vital heart of this 22,500-square-foot project, marking a historic milestone in what will be the first ground-up facility of its kind dedicated specifically to the transgender community.
Rethinking The Future Awards 2026
First Award | Healthcare / Wellness (Concept)
Project Name: Trans Wellness and Empowerment Center
Category: Healthcare / Wellness (Concept)
Studio Name: RCDF Studio
Design Team: Rogerio Carvalheiro, Christopher Norman, Deyang Yu, Sergio Rodriguez
Project Area: 22,500 sq ft.
Year: 2025 – 2027
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Consultants:
Bob Onishi, Edgar Melendrez: Murashige & Onishi Structural Engineers
Esther Margulies, Yixuan Li: Office of the Designed Landscape
Kevin Ellis, Jillian Shoemaker: KPFF Civil Engineers
Myint Aung: Aung MEP Engineers
Noel Collins: Power Chord Utility Consultants
Kevin Smith: EXTECH Exterior Technologies
Render Credits: Bestar Creations Ltd
By moving away from a model of isolation, the center is intentionally designed to integrate and institutionalize the trans community with its metro communities at large.
A defining architectural feature is its kinetic veil, an abstracted representation of the trans flag that serves as a dynamic elevation, responding to every slight breeze. This animate facade symbolizes a resilient, breathing connection to the surroundings, signaling a shift toward an active, vital, and visible presence in the urban fabric.
The facility integrates essential shared resources, including an administrative suite, a vibrant community space, a cafe, and a full-service hair salon, creating natural touchpoints for connection and inclusion. The atmosphere is anchored by a beautiful courtyard with expansive green spaces that include a roof deck and several terraces. All outdoor areas provide a serene, private retreat feel fusing the utility of community work and services with the luxury of Southern California climate.
Scheduled to break ground in 2026 and reach completion by the end of 2027, the project ensures that the Trans Health and Wellness Center is not only a resource, but a permanent, welcoming destination that activates, strengthens, and integrates the social fabric of the entire region.
