Kinesiology, Wellness, and Athletic Complex (KWAC)
Creating a Student Wellness Village at East Los Angeles College
East Los Angeles College (ELAC) selected HED to design the new Kinesiology, Wellness, and Athletic Complex (KWAC), a transformative project that will reshape the west side of campus and anchor a new Student Wellness Village. Envisioned as both a gateway and a destination, the facility will replace aging athletic infrastructure with a comprehensive center that integrates kinesiology, competitive athletics, wellness, and community engagement.
Located at the intersection of Avenida Cesar Chavez and Bleakwood Avenue, the KWAC occupies a highly visible site along the campus promenade. Its placement establishes a prominent new entrance for students, staff, and community members, while extending an open invitation to neighbors in Monterey Park. Designed to complement the existing Student Success Village on the east side of campus, KWAC will serve as the counterpart; a hub for health, wellness, and physical activity that supports the whole student.
The facility is organized around three guiding principles: Mind, Body, and Soul.
Mind represents the academic heart of the building. Classrooms, studios, and offices for the Kinesiology Department are arranged in a three-story bar on the east side, closest to the academic core. These spaces offer areas for collaboration, study, and instruction, seamlessly connected to state-of-the-art athletic facilities.
Body encompasses the athletic functions of the center, including training and competition gyms, a running track, and team locker rooms. Designed for flexibility, these spaces accommodate basketball, volleyball, badminton, wrestling, and a wide range of fitness activities.
Soul is embodied in “Main Street,” a three-story central hub that runs through the building. This open space functions as an indoor student plaza, with communal lounges, an amphitheater, and gathering spaces for up to 2,000 students. It blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, with plazas, terraces, and direct connections to the multipurpose field and softball facilities.
Beyond the building, the project includes a collegiate softball field, a multipurpose soccer field, batting cages, and landscaped outdoor training areas. Courtyards, plazas, and shaded pathways extend the building’s emphasis on wellness into the landscape, reinforcing the connection between physical activity, nature, and social life.
A series of strategies support the project’s holistic vision. Transparency between Main Street and the fitness spaces promotes visibility and engagement. Flexible, modular classrooms and studios are designed to adapt as pedagogy and programs evolve. Indoor-outdoor connections extend learning and training spaces into the surrounding landscape. Acoustical control, daylighting, and durable materials ensure the facility functions at a high level while remaining resilient over time.
The KWAC’s design reflects ELAC’s vision to create a campus that fosters student success academically, physically, and socially. By providing opportunities for students to connect with peers, faculty, and the community, the project creates a powerful sense of place. As a new campus gateway, it offers visibility, accessibility, and pride of identity. As a wellness-focused environment, it models healthy behaviors and supports the lifelong well-being of the ELAC community.