Destination Crenshaw

This project was featured in the October 2021 issue of ARCHITECT.

Of the community, by the community, and for the community—that’s what defines Destination Crenshaw, a project that will trace a portion of Los Angeles’ Crenshaw Boulevard. The project began in 2014, when the city broke ground on an 8.5-mile-long metro rail extension. Parts of the rail line running through LA’s Crenshaw District were at grade, threatening access to—and ultimately the viability of—local businesses.

The community, along with design firm Perkins&Will, decided to turn the at-grade condition into a celebration of African American contributions to world culture. Set to complete in 2022, the 1.3-mile-long stretch of art and culture will include 10 pocket parks, hundreds of newly planted trees, 100-plus commissioned works of art, and an array of permanent and rotating art installations. Perkins&Will also plans to leverage existing neighborhood assets to avoid cultural erasure.

“Our work on Destination Crenshaw has always centered on the theme ‘Grow Where You’re Planted,’ which is inspired by African giant star grass,” says Perkins&Will managing principal Gabrielle Bullock, FAIA, NOMAC, who is based in LA. “Known to thrive in inhospitable environments, the grass reminds us of the history and resiliency of Black LA, whose deep community roots have strengthened over the decades despite facing years of root shock.”

“Destination Crenshaw has been entirely driven by the community and honors not just the neighborhood as a creative hub, but also Black LA’s impact on popular culture and social change,” adds Perkins&Will principal and art curator Zena Howard, FAIA, NOMA, who is based in Durham, N.C. “Our role as architects is to translate—through design—the very real, very significant voices and energy of Black LA.”