Cesar Chavez Continuing Education Center

Stylistically, a brief analysis for the new Center suggests three case study examples. First, The Spanish/Mission Style; second, The Contemporary Modern Industrial Aesthetic, and third, a “Latino Architectural Style”. Over the past 10 to 20 years the first two examples have run their course; and, no differently than pursing a PhD, where the candidate writes an original dissertation, so too must an original work of architecture be offered the District. Accordingly, the aesthetics for the Ed Center is a culturally based, eclectic assemblage of ordering principles, accurately responding to strong site determinants, infused with the DNA of the Latino experience, in order to inspire upward mobility via education, civic participation, and a respect for ethnic diversity well into the next millennium. The one acre site in Barrio Logan, located at the southwest corner of Chavez Parkway and Main Street, is just east of the Trolley Station and one block west of Chicano Park. Similarly, to the south are industrial-type buildings, while to the north there are good views of downtown.