Odyssey Charter School
Gino Sepulveda & Thao Merlin

This semester, our studio is undertaking the redesign of Odyssey Charter School’s South Campus, a vital educational institution that suffered extensive damage during the Eaton Fire of January 2025. Located at 119 West Palm Street in Altadena, the South Campus has long served a diverse student population from across the San Gabriel foothills, providing a progressive, community-centered learning environment.

In the aftermath of the fire, both the South and North campuses were forced to close, displacing more than 800 students, who have since been temporarily relocated to nearby schools. The loss has deeply affected the Altadena community, highlighting the urgent need for resilient, inclusive, and future-forward educational spaces.

The South Campus site spans approximately 500 feet by 400 feet, with its longer frontage running parallel to West Palm Street, offering key opportunities for visibility, access, and engagement with the surrounding neighborhood. The redesign will address not only the physical reconstruction of the campus but also its role as a cultural and ecological anchor—integrating fire-resilient strategies, outdoor learning environments, and community-responsive design.