Perkins Eastman was commissioned to develop design-build scoping documents for transforming the 500,000-square-foot Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) General Hospital into Los Angeles County’s (LAC) first comprehensive Behavioral Health Center (BHC). This new center provides integrated outpatient and supportive services for some of LAC’s most vulnerable populations, including those struggling with mental illness, substance-use disorders, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system. Consolidating comprehensive mental health services under one roof, the BHC is the first facility of its kind in the county.
The Behavioral Health Center revitalizes the former MLK inpatient hospital into a social-services hub that provides integrated mental health, substance use, medical, and social support in a welcoming, hospitality-inspired setting. Each space is designed to promote patient well-being over traditional clinical environments.
To tackle the complexity of this multifaceted facility, Perkins Eastman’s specialized teams collaborated across sectors:
- Healthcare: Designed tailored layouts for varying levels of acuity, support spaces, and amenities
- Workplace: Enhanced office areas with strategic adjacencies and a welcoming redesign of probation spaces
- Higher Education: Created flexible conference areas to adapt to future needs
- Hospitality: Introduced public art and concierge-style amenities for a comforting, patient-centered experience
This integrative approach resulted in a design that thoroughly supported stakeholder needs and elevated programmatic outcomes.
“I only have good things to say about Perkins Eastman—they have been an absolute pleasure to work with on the [Mark Ridley-Thomas Behavioral Health Center] and related projects.” —Gillian Tiede, PE Senior Project Manager, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works