El Oasis
A community center providing after-school programs for teens, vocational training, culinary apprenticeships, gardening, and community events designed to serve families, seniors, and youth in a marginalized Arizona community.
The Oasis will be more than just a building or community center; it will be a transformative space where lives are changed and individuals are empowered. It will honor and celebrate cultural traditions, inspire children to dream big, and provide families with a sense of safety and security. It will offer a sense of belonging to those living in isolation and become a place where this vibrant community can truly thrive. An Oasis that the community deserves.
The project had both practical goals and a broader vision. Practically, the brief called for a gathering space for up to 200 people, car storage for vocational training, a commercial kitchen, a small workspace, and restrooms accessible from both inside and outside. The owner successfully acquired a blighted site of approximately 8,000 square meters. The building needed to be durable and resilient, with a design that remained humble and unpretentious. Beyond its practical function, the project aims to inspire and uplift the community, becoming a source of pride that fosters a new generation of citizens who are invested in and care for their neighborhood. The construction method is very common to the region utilizing wood frame construction and metal cladding that are deeply rooted in the southwest United States.
The project seeks to preserve and enhance the community's character, not by imposing, but by gently uplifting it. The building's simple form responds to its orientation, opening to the north to capture soft, indirect light while shielding itself from the intense summer sun. The material palette is one of simplicity and resilience—using reclaimed metal, often discarded in other projects, to create a sense of character and depth for this neighborhood center. Designed for durability and resilience, the community building serves as a valuable resource, offering amenities and opportunities to youth who might otherwise never have access to such a space.
The community center is designed with the sole purpose of benefiting the neighborhood within walking distance. Beyond serving as an after-school space, the building will also offer families a venue to host special events, such as a Quinceañera or birthday celebrations. The space will also serve as a platform for outdoor movies and concerts, creating opportunities for entertainment and community engagement.
The materials chosen for the project were deliberately repurposed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Three distinct textures of corrugated and flat metal, selected from discarded and unused materials, (intentionally not new) were chosen for their practical application and connection to the site. The interiors, simple and unadorned, were intentionally left raw, allowing the character of the users and the vibrant hues of the community to gradually shape and define the space over time.
The entire project was made possible through the generous contributions of friends and donors who shared a belief in its mission and vision. Looking ahead, the long-term plans for the site include expanded play and recreational areas, as well as the growth of the gardening program.
