THE GROTTO

USC’s Center for Social Justice

In this incubator, USC faculty and students from multiple disciplines engage with the neighborhood community on social justice issues through three departments: service, research, and community engagement.
A comprehensive design, the project proposes sustainable design solutions for the building’s structure, enclosure, and environmental systems while also considering California Building Code for circulation, life safety, and accessibility designs. Mass timber was studied and used throughout the structure, ranging from glulam beams and columns to CLT floor panels. The envelope is another critical part of the design, with the ETFE facade aiming to offer a balanced solution to concerns of sustainability, natural lighting, solar heat gain, and building aesthetics.