City Peaks
Community Center, Health Clinic, and Café Design
Winter 2022 • Individual Work • 10 Weeks
Revit • Enscape • Photoshop
• • •
As the second largest demographic residing in Philadelphia, the Puerto Rican community embraces the sense of family. The people of Puerto Rico represent a cultural and racial mix because of centuries of immigration and cultural assimilation. The colonization of Spain nearly decimated the entire Taino population. Colonization by Spain also introduced a variety of demographics including slaves from various countries in Africa, as well as indigenous people from near by islands. The influx of different groups contributed to the evolution of the Puerto Rican culture.
Today’s culture is a mix of Taino, Spanish, and African cultures. Many of the Puerto Rican cultural practices are attributed to the Spanish culture. Puerto Ricans are highly expressive, friendly, and known for their warm hospitality. City Peaks wants to embrace every culture and provide a place for different communities to take part in learning from one another.
Learning from the massive destruction of its infrastructure by Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is now treading a new path towards sustainability and resilience. The island just joined the club of cities and countries committed to having all its electricity needs met by renewables by 2050. One important factor for the redesign of this space is to ensure new sustainable practices are in place to help keep costs at a minimum to run City Peaks at longer hours for the community.
“We are Peaks, Built in the Valleys.” - Peaks Coffee Co. Founders
• • •
City Peaks
Nestled in West Philly, City Peaks is a community center that supports residents during the high and lows of life – the peaks and valleys. Navigating life can have one feeling alone. City Peaks intends to help take the burden away from the community and provide services to assist with needs, such as yoga and meditation classes, educational seminars and support groups, and a food hall with chef’s who rotate out every six months and provide a free community dinner on Sundays to build relationships.
City Peaks Primary
Ensuring the community has access to healthcare services, City Peaks Primary was implemented to serve the residents for all local health needs. This health clinic specializes in primary care and has on staff physicians with a support team, as well as nurses who share their time at other clinics. As healthcare evolves from COVID-19, it is important the community is taken care of in all aspects, whether it is seeing a patient in person, or meeting via video chat to diagnose symptoms.
City Peaks Coffee Co.
With funding being an important aspect for the center, City Peaks will be partnering with Peaks Coffee Co. out of Syracuse, NY. The independent coffee shop will open its second café, located on level two, and part of the monthly profit will contribute to running City Peaks. Originally located in a snowy, mountain town, Peaks Coffee Co. hopes to take inspiration from the warmer, natural tones of Puerto Rico’s climate, while keeping true to the stores original style.
Winter 2022 • Individual Work • 10 Weeks
Revit • Enscape • Photoshop
• • •
As the second largest demographic residing in Philadelphia, the Puerto Rican community embraces the sense of family. The people of Puerto Rico represent a cultural and racial mix because of centuries of immigration and cultural assimilation. The colonization of Spain nearly decimated the entire Taino population. Colonization by Spain also introduced a variety of demographics including slaves from various countries in Africa, as well as indigenous people from near by islands. The influx of different groups contributed to the evolution of the Puerto Rican culture.
Today’s culture is a mix of Taino, Spanish, and African cultures. Many of the Puerto Rican cultural practices are attributed to the Spanish culture. Puerto Ricans are highly expressive, friendly, and known for their warm hospitality. City Peaks wants to embrace every culture and provide a place for different communities to take part in learning from one another.
Learning from the massive destruction of its infrastructure by Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is now treading a new path towards sustainability and resilience. The island just joined the club of cities and countries committed to having all its electricity needs met by renewables by 2050. One important factor for the redesign of this space is to ensure new sustainable practices are in place to help keep costs at a minimum to run City Peaks at longer hours for the community.
“We are Peaks, Built in the Valleys.” - Peaks Coffee Co. Founders
• • •
City Peaks
Nestled in West Philly, City Peaks is a community center that supports residents during the high and lows of life – the peaks and valleys. Navigating life can have one feeling alone. City Peaks intends to help take the burden away from the community and provide services to assist with needs, such as yoga and meditation classes, educational seminars and support groups, and a food hall with chef’s who rotate out every six months and provide a free community dinner on Sundays to build relationships.
City Peaks Primary
Ensuring the community has access to healthcare services, City Peaks Primary was implemented to serve the residents for all local health needs. This health clinic specializes in primary care and has on staff physicians with a support team, as well as nurses who share their time at other clinics. As healthcare evolves from COVID-19, it is important the community is taken care of in all aspects, whether it is seeing a patient in person, or meeting via video chat to diagnose symptoms.
City Peaks Coffee Co.
With funding being an important aspect for the center, City Peaks will be partnering with Peaks Coffee Co. out of Syracuse, NY. The independent coffee shop will open its second café, located on level two, and part of the monthly profit will contribute to running City Peaks. Originally located in a snowy, mountain town, Peaks Coffee Co. hopes to take inspiration from the warmer, natural tones of Puerto Rico’s climate, while keeping true to the stores original style.
