YMCA Leadership and Learning Center

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta’s Leadership and Learning Center (LLC) was envisioned to embody and strengthen the YMCA’s values around youth, education, and community.

The exterior of the building incorporates portions of the original historic structure, Jordan Hall (formerly Edmund Asa Ware Elementary), and preserves the spirit of the previous building’s overall design, while the interior focuses on a 21 st -century learning experience. With YMCA of Metro Atlanta staff and more than 1,500 Y trainees passing through the space, the Center also aims to provide maximum flexibility and space for collaboration. Abundant natural sunlight and community meeting rooms, in addition to state-of-the-art technology and audio-visual resources embedded throughout the design, are intended to foster the productivity of YMCA staff.

Noteworthy: The Center is at the heart of a resurgence of this west side Atlanta neighborhood, and the design honors the legacies of important civic leaders. Part of that strategy was preservation of an existing historic facade and integration of that facade as an important piece of the early learning component.