This project explores architectural relationships among buildings, people, and things. La Cocina answers the question of how can architecture can amplify pleasurable possibilities for storing, retrieving, and sharing the media and tools that are most relevant for contemporary life.

Located in Albany Park, IL, La Cocina is a culinary library that serves as a beacon for community engagement—inviting residents to gather, exchange dishes across cultures, and celebrate the art of cooking. Its inventory ranges from small-scale items such as utensils and recipe booklets to larger equipment like grills and smokers, all specially curated to reflect the diverse cultural fabric of Albany Park. The building’s entry is oriented toward the neighborhood’s primary transportation hub and articulated with bold architectural gestures to draw commuters inward. As users move through La Cocina, they experience moments of compression and expansion, guided by light that animates the interior and enriches their spatial journey.