La Plaza Esperanza

La Plaza Esperanza, which means “A Place of Hope” is a community center currently under construction that will serve the greater Portland area’s growing Latino/x population. This new building will provide a safe and welcoming space, dedicated to celebrating the Latino/x culture and heritage as well as provide an engaging space for learning and educating future generations. This new building will feature a preschool and a large community room, with exposed mass timber elements and big expansive windows enveloping the space. This aesthetic was a key factor in the design to create a sense of comfort and belonging, letting in ample natural light, and bringing the outdoor natural wood elements from the PNW indoors.

The La Plaza Esperanza community center broke ground in April 2023 and is planned to have construction complete by next year. CPI is providing design-assist services to help the team achieve cost savings in the connections and supply. CPI is working with ZGF Architects and KPFF Engineers to coordinate CLT shear wall hold-down locations, as well as creating cost effective connections. CPI took on the full scope of the structure, including the stair systems and structural steel to simplify the coordination and construction process. Working with Kalesnikoff Mass Timber, CPI is modeling the mass timber and the steel, producing fabrication ready shop drawings for both KMT and the steel supplier. The mass timber erection is scheduled to be finished by the end of November, 2023.