Pankow Builders provided Design-Build services for the Zev Yaroslavsky Family Support Center, a 212,000 SF office building and 1,326-car parking structure serving seven County of Los Angeles departments. The project was designed to improve the County’s service delivery model through enhanced accessibility, interdepartmental collaboration, and employee well-being.

The facility consolidates public services into a single, efficient location anchored by an open-air plaza and park-like campus. Key features include an underfloor HVAC system, extensive daylighting, and public art that celebrates community identity. The project’s energy-efficient systems surpassed Title 24 requirements and reduced operational energy costs by over 30%.

Delivered on time and within budget, the Family Support Center has been celebrated for its innovative approach to Design-Build collaboration, achieving excellence across architecture, sustainability, and functionality. Recognized by DBIA, AIA, CMAA, and ENR, the project continues to serve as a model for civic design that uplifts both employees and the community.

Designing for Dignity and Connection

The Zev Yaroslavsky Family Support Center embodies design excellence through a simple yet powerful goal: to elevate how government serves its people. Pankow, alongside HKS Architects and the County of Los Angeles, delivered a civic campus that redefines public service environments through architectural clarity, environmental performance, and a deep sense of humanity.

The project’s design philosophy centered on wellness and connection, creating a workplace that inspires employees and welcomes the public with dignity. The five-story, 212,000 SF office building and 1,326-stall parking structure house seven County departments within a unified, efficient campus. The design introduces open, light-filled workspaces organized around a landscaped courtyard and pedestrian plaza, allowing clients and staff to move effortlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Through collaboration, Pankow’s Design-Build team integrated form and function to achieve measurable design performance. The underfloor air distribution system—a technical hallmark of the building—reduces energy consumption by 34% while improving comfort and air quality. The narrow floorplates ensure that 95% of workstations receive daylight and views, reinforcing both energy efficiency and employee well-being. Materials and finishes were selected for warmth, durability, and longevity, enhancing the quality of daily experience for more than 1,000 occupants.

Design excellence extends beyond the building’s walls. The project’s park-like landscape integrates art, hardscape, and native vegetation to create a campus that feels open, restorative, and civic. A clear hierarchy of outdoor spaces encourages engagement and reflection, supporting the County’s mission to provide services in a setting that values both functionality and compassion.

The result is a LEED® Gold-certified, award-winning facility that exemplifies how thoughtful design and collaborative delivery can transform public infrastructure into a space for wellness, equity, and connection.