La Plaza Esperanza - Latino Network

La Plaza Esperanza, meaning “a place of hope,” promises to be the physical realization of a longstanding dream for the Latino Network: 18,000 square feet of safe, welcoming and accessible space dedicated to celebrating Latino/x culture and heritage. The architect team sought to ensure La Plaza Esperanza would reflect the community’s goals of creating a welcoming and culturally-affirming experience. The result is an open and transparent design that puts Latino/x people front and center with a residential aesthetic that prioritizes psychological safety. From the moment of arrival, visitors will note a design approach influenced by the surrounding forests and homes that invites the Latino/x population to feel secure. A generous front porch spans the length of the building to give an interstitial space for gathering and familial conversation. A sloped mass timber roof channels warm, natural materials true to the Pacific Northwest and encourages all-season activities on the community porch. The project broke ground in April 2023 and is slated to be complete in 2024.