NORTHRIDGE : Design Students Do Part to Rebuild L.A.

A group of interior design students from Cal State Northridge has provided blueprints for revitalizing buildings in riot-torn neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

The students provided designs for remodeling and landscaping six buildings--including the Vaughn Family Center in San Fernando and the Ardmore Park Community and Recreational Center in Koreatown--and drew plans for rebuilding a two-story commercial building in mid-city that burned in last year’s riots.

Ildiko Choy, an architect and instructor at CSUN, set up the program through the Design Professionals Coalition, a group of architects and designers who organized to do pro bono work after last spring’s riots. Business and community groups that applied for help were referred to Choy, who assigned the projects to an advanced interior design class.

The projects will be built as money allows. The city parks department for example, is now seeking grants for the expansion of the Ardmore Park center drawn up by students.

“The basic requirement was, make it possible, make it buildable,” Choy said. At the Vaughn Family Center, the students had to design wooden playground equipment that could be assembled by parents because they were the only people available, she said.

Jorge Lara, special projects coordinator at Vaughn Family Center, said commercial and private donors have provided about $30,000 and as well as construction labor to help make the center’s counseling rooms, meeting rooms and playground designed by students a reality.

He said center officials have examined several of the blueprints and haven’t been able to select one yet. “We just like everything,” he said. “They are wonderful, beautiful things.”