Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts is named after a longtime Oakland resident who was a leading figure in Central African dance. When the facility, formerly known as the Alice Arts Center, faced closure in 2002, Casquelourd led a campaign to keep it open.

The Malonga, as the building is known, serves the local music and performing arts community with multiple performance spaces, classrooms, recording studios, a 300-seat theater, associated control rooms, and three floors of residential units.

ELS is leading a feasibility study to analyze and envision a complete renewal of the historic structure, working closely with a structural engineer and other specialty disciplines.

This essential work has included engagement with local arts stakeholders (including community members, city staff, and political representatives) to draw attention to the preservation and restoration of this city-designated historic landmark.

The theater fly gallery was previously condemned by the city for reasons that could not be determined, and no existing drawings could be found for the theater complex. To help bring the building up to code and unlock its hidden potential, the ELS team created extensive documentation including a 3D laser scan to create accurate as-builts of the entire building and a BIM model to assist with future planning efforts.