Logan Heights is one of the oldest and most culturally-rich urban neighborhoods in San Diego. It is an epicenter of the city’s Mexican-American culture and has become a hot spot for art and authentic local culture. The transformation into an art-centric neighborhood goes back to the 1960’s with the origination of Chicano Park and continues today, using art as a tool to foster neighborhood development.
The proposed Logan Heights Education Campus, TK-12 grades, rebuilds the existing K-8 campuses and adds a new high school component that this neighborhood has been missing. The three existing Memorial buildings will be re-clad, fully renovated and re-planned. The building forms are simple and bold, influenced by Mexican modernism. The main entries and activities are arranged around the paseo and connect the campuses and student spaces together. An art master plan was developed to engage the local arts community and integrate murals, sculptures, mosaics and ornamental metal works into the design.
This campus will create a walkable neighborhood center designed to inspire students. The complex will offer career pathways in design, engineering and health sciences with are maker spaces and design labs throughout. Giving students access to 3D printers, laser cutters and other equipment where they can gather to design, prototype and create manufactured works. Each classroom village is designed around collaboration spaces to promote flexible learning and socialization. Creating environments that are student centric. Resulting in dynamic, lively learning environments that are scalable and flexible to the intended use. This design reflects the broader shift in education to support hands-on learning, teamwork, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.