LGBTTQ+ Community Center in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.

University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras Campus

Project idea

The project idea for the shape of the building is to represents the struggle that this community endures. Started with rectangles breaking and how the pieces were struggling to be together, trying to find their position representing the struggle of trying to figure out who you are. The pergolas, from the first level to the last, represent the development and freedom as we all learn to express preferences. Elements of water reference the body and its right to be seen.

Project description

All areas are nonbinary and inclusive. This project consist of the following parts. The program includes a public plaza on the outside that I redesigned with seating area, water fountains, bicycle parking, but maintaining the existing trees. When entering the building on the first floor is a lobby, game room, inclusive bathroom, coffee shop with kitchen, patio, offices for event planer, for a psychologist and legal office. On the second floor a gym, pool, library, reading area, electric and mechanical rooms. On the third floor are the rooftop for the library and coffee shop, yoga, pole dance, artistic expression and dance class rooms. The idea for the bathrooms to be under the pool is to represent the element of the body, to have to go up to the pool allows the body to be seen while you go up, its shadow, its freedom of expression.

Technical information

Solar panels, natural illumination and ventilation are part of the design. The construction of the building is made-up of concrete. The pool is hold by waffle structure. Existing trees were kept.

Documentation

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