EPACENTER

The EPACENTER project is a youth arts and music center that serves as a place keeper in the face of change for the East Palo Alto community.  An authentic and dynamic community engagement process ensured that EPA youth co-created with the design team and put their talents and strengths in the spotlight. The aspirational goals set for building and landscape performance echo the sentiment that this community deserves and can achieve the best. 

The building is carbon-neutral in operation through all-electric systems, onsite PV and fossil-fuel-free green power purchase. It achieved LEED Platinum certification through this zero-carbon energy strategy plus measures like rainwater harvesting and healthy materials.  Sustainable systems are exposed and interpreted in a building that teaches. The design seeks to protect this important community investment by incorporating resilience features.

Kirstin stewarded this project as a technical sustainability partner and an advocate for community wellbeing from its initial visioning in 2012 through construction and certification while employed at Arup.