El Centro de la Raza

Seattle, WA

Part of a larger vision for an integrated campus that expands El Centro de la Raza’s social services, the project provides 112 units of affordable family housing, micro retail space, expansion of a childcare center, a community/cultural center, program and other office space, and a central outdoor plaza that provides flexible civic gathering place for the neighborhood’s diverse cultures. SMR served as the architect of record on this project, in association with Design Architect, 7 Directions Architects/Planners, and Consulting Architect, Third Place Design Cooperative. For its innovative design, Plaza Roberto Maestas was awarded the 2017 AIA/HUD Secretary’s Award for Creating Community Connection and the 2019 Urban Land Institute’s Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Award. (SMR served as the architect of record on this project, in association with Design Architect, 7 Directions Architects/Planners, and Consulting Architect, Third Place Design Cooperative.)

Includes extensive integrated art and a public plaza honoring Roberto Maestas, co-founder of El Centro de la Raza; 2017 AIA/HUD Secretary’s Award for Creating Community Connection; 2017 Gold Nugget Award of Merit; 2017 Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2040 Award; 2017 Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards, Honorable Mention; 2019 Urban Land Institute’s Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Award