Project Description
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center serves as the premier recovery and rehabilitation center for patients with adult and pediatric spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, orthopedic disabilities, strokes, neurological disorders, and physical and developmental disorders. Founded in 1888 on a 212-acre campus owned and operated by the County of Los Angeles, Rancho Los Amigos has long-served its community with renowned outpatient services. Annually, Rancho provides care for 4,000 inpatient and 71,000 outpatient visits, but the facility was under threat of closure in 2003. Given the high need for these types of services, the community mobilized support, spurring a $418 million revitalization resulting in state-of-the-art facilities. What came to be is now an award-winning project, designed by an integrated team.
The project includes several structures, including renovation and extension to the existing Inpatient Hospital (Jacquelin Perry Institute), a new Outpatient Building and a new Wellness and Aquatics Center. Uniquely, even amongst rehabilitation centers, the community transcends the typical label of “patient,” creating a truly unique Rancho Los Amigos culture. Many former patients return to the campus mentoring those patients learning to rebuild after a life-altering event. Understanding this, the design not only provides a place for high-quality care, but supports the culture of inclusive community and continued involvement. The design evokes community and provides facilities for high-quality care and continued involvement for all partaking in Rancho’s mission.