AWARDS

Citation of Merit, AIA Philadelphia

Referred to as the Cultural Heart of el Barrio, Taller Puertorriqueño was established in 1974 by local Puerto Rican artists and community activists as a multidisciplinary community arts and cultural organization. Today, Taller is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that uses art as a vehicle to promote social change. It maintains an unflagging commitment to the expansion of its mission and programs to communities throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. This project set overarching goals of consolidating existing Taller-owned facilities and programmatic opportunities for the organization, identifying existing like organizations and the potential for shared or leased space, and the development of a realistic financial strategy for the concept of a planned cultural facility including possible complimentary/market driven commercial uses on site. This new Latino Cultural Community Center includes: a multi-purpose performance hall, gallery and exhibit spaces, classrooms, a gift and book store, café, and flexible pre-function/public spaces. The new facility will stand as a beacon of the community’s cultural expression and reaffirmation of Taller’s identity as the Cultural Heart of Latino Philadelphia.

*Completed as the project's Principal-In-Charge and Designers at WRT