A New Gateway for Design and Media Arts
As demand for design and communications programs continues to grow, and as the technology to support them evolves, Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) recognized the need for a new home that could elevate these disciplines. Building on the success of its award-winning Mariposa Hall, the college once again partnered with HED to design the Design and Media Arts (DMA) building—a landmark facility that will consolidate programs, highlight student work, and serve as a gateway to the campus.
Replacing Sage Hall, the 80,000-square-foot DMA building brings together a wide array of creative programs, including fashion design, fashion merchandising, digital media, visual communications, tailoring, and sign graphics. By placing these related programs under one roof, the college creates efficiencies and fosters collaboration and cross-pollination among students and faculty. Spaces have been designed with adaptability in mind, allowing for the integration of new communications technologies as the fields continue to evolve.
Inside, the DMA building provides a spectrum of technology-rich spaces. Lecture halls and flexible classrooms are paired with design studios, maker spaces, and digital labs outfitted with industry-standard tools. These environments prepare students to enter competitive fields with practical, hands-on experience. By replicating real-world studio and production conditions, the building helps bridge the gap between education and professional practice.
The DMA building also serves as a cultural and academic hub for the entire campus. A central atrium connects the building vertically, creating open, transparent circulation that encourages interaction and puts student work on display. Gathering spaces and informal lounges are woven throughout, offering students places to connect, collaborate, and recharge. Beyond its role as an academic facility, the building is envisioned as a welcoming destination for the LATTC community at large.
Sited on the campus’s most prominent corner, the DMA building presents a striking new face to the city. Its location along the elevated light rail line and proximity to Los Angeles’s fashion district make it both highly visible and contextually relevant. Expansive glazing and exhibition zones showcase student creativity to the surrounding community, turning the building into a living gallery of design. This visibility reinforces LATTC’s role as a leader in design education while inspiring connections between the campus and the industries it serves.
Recognized with the 2022 Gold Nugget Award of Merit for Best Educational Project and the 2022 Community College Facility Coalition Best in Design Award, the DDMA building AC is an innovative hub for design and media arts. By merging academic rigor with creative energy, it will give students the tools, environment, and visibility to succeed in rapidly changing industries.
