The presentation will provide an examination of the teaming and design approach to La Plaza Esperanza, a welcoming space dedicated to celebrating Latino/x culture and heritage in Gresham, Oregon. The design team worked closely with The Latino Network, a Latino-led education organization with a core belief in self-determination, to orchestrate a design process that incorporates the community as key decision makers and to create a design team reflective of the diversity within that community. La Plaza Esperanza, which means “a place of hope,” is an 18,000 square feet community center that aims to serve a vibrant multigenerational community. The building design prioritizes community serving functions with a welcoming lobby, a single-class preschool and playground, a generous front porch, and multipurpose community rooms. The project is pursuing high sustainability goals such as all electric, cross-laminated timber (CLT), a low carbon footprint and PV renewable energy. The presentation will explore how the design team made these features more accessible, equitable, and cost-effective.