Founded in 1973, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) is a non-profit, community-based umbrella institution, which seeks to serve the social/cultural needs of Chicago’s Puerto Rican/Latino community. Arda designed a complete renovation and adaptive reuse of the organization’s facility located in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.

 The project scope of work ranged widely and included accessibility ramps, new infill building construction, masonry restoration, window and door replacements, and new roofing, as well as new bathrooms, locker rooms, stairways, finishes, furniture, structural supports and integration, HVAC system, lighting and power, data wiring, fire prevention system, and interior restoration of historic finishes.

In addition, Arda designed and oversaw the installation of a greenhouse atop their award-winning

alternative high school, the Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican Alternative High School (PACHS). The greenhouse plan connects an existing second floor science classroom to a new greenhouse constructed above a lower portion of the building.