Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture

Structural Focus provided structural engineering services for Phases I & II of the seismic upgrade, adaptive reuse, and conversion of the existing 1960s Riverside Main Library into the new Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture. The renovation resulted in a modern, innovative, active, and fully accessible arts center, offering a variety of public services including galleries, a cafe, administrative offices, classrooms, and a store.

The Center highlights Chicano Culture and is home to the largest permanent collection of Chicano Art. The new floor opening in the second floor concrete slab creates open space, allowing for a new, 26-foot tall lenticular mural and homage to Aztec deity Coatlique–created by the de la Torre Brothers, Einar and Jamex. As a City of Riverside Landmark, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards adherence and Riverside Cultural Heritage Board review was required for all alterations. The project won the California Preservation Foundation’s 2024 Rehabilitation Category, Trustees Award for Excellence.

‍