For the first time, UCLA Extension's arts and design programs have a home of their own, a space for emerging artists and working professionals to innovate and collaborate.

Known by its address, 1010 Westwood, a 48,000-square-foot space at the corner of Westwood and Weyburn, just opened for classes in June. But already it is pulsating with activity that its new tenants find energizing.

"There's an uplifting and joyful feeling when you walk by work in progress on the walls and drafting tables," observed landscape architect Alexis Slafer, who directs the Landscape Architecture program. "You feel part of a community of artists. It creates a wonderful identity for the arts and Extension in the middle of a wonderful part of Westwood."

The five-story building contains state-of-the-art computer labs, a design library, drafting and design studios, a student art gallery and class and seminar rooms where working professionals, prominent in their fields, teach. The sleek interior by Rios Associates combines the original architecture of the 1920s-era building with contemporary design.

"The space itself is designed to foster interaction and collaboration that will result in learning," said Dean Robert Lapiner. "We wanted the building to exemplify the design and arts education taking place there, and to serve as a metaphor for the learning process itself. It's part of the commitment we make to provide our students with a superb educational experience."

With 18,000 enrollments and nearly 1,000 courses a year, UCLA Extension's continuing education arts and design programs are the largest in the nation.

1010 Westwood will also add to the renewed vibrancy of Westwood Village as Extension students patronize nearby restaurants, shops and movie theaters.

"To play a role in revitalization in local communities is very important to us," said Jeff Daniels, an award-winning architect who directs the Architecture and Interior Design program. "Ultimately, that's part of the message we want to give our students."

Although the focus is on the arts, with more than 100 courses in studio arts, landscape architecture, computer graphics, graphic design, animation and video production taking place there, 1010 Westwood will also accommodate a wide range of other courses outside the arts, among them, business, information systems, English as a second language and writing.