West Los Angeles VA
Medical Center
Replacement Kitchen
Los Angeles, CA
The Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) Kitchen is a critical operational facility that supports daily meal preparation and distribution for hospitalized Veterans across the West Los Angeles VA campus. Our approach to the landscape design was part of a larger campus vision, creating a planting approach that can guide future development across the West LA VA campus. The design focuses on shade, screening, and long-term durability, while supporting everyday outdoor use.
Replacing an aging kitchen, the facility now provides a climate-controlled, collaborative workspace where more than 100 staff prepare and serve roughly 2,000 meals each day, making it the highest-capacity VA kitchen in the country.
Large shade trees line walkways and south-facing patio areas, making these spaces more comfortable throughout the year. Ornamental trees are arranged in groups across the site to create a sense of rhythm and continuity, while trees and shrubs along the eastern edge help soften views from the 405 freeway. The planting palette is drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and designed to provide interest throughout the year. Plant selections consider foliage, color, and seasonal change to create cohesive and balanced plant groupings.
Together, these elements create a landscape that feels cohesive, welcoming, and resilient. The design supports daily use while reinforcing the character of the Southern California landscape and setting a strong foundation for future campus development.
Client
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Architect
Leo A Daly Architecture (Design Architect)
CannonDesign (Executive Architect)
Landscape Architect
Pamela Burton & Company (Design Landscape Architect)
Hongjoo Kim Landscape Architects (Executive Landscape Architect)
Photographer
Jack Coyier