Repurposing existing spaces challenges architectural creativity, particularly in balancing historical preservation with the need for sustainable development. The transformation of the Instituto Familiar de la Raza Inc. in the Mission District of San Francisco, California from a former funeral home is a prime example of how a cost-efficient repurposing can breathe a sense of new life into a building. This scope of work for architects and interior designers is crucial and often overlooked in a built environment that needs to value its existing structures, where according to the UN Environmental Programme, the buildings and construction sector accounts for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As California pushes for carbon neutrality by 2045 aiming to reduce emissions by at least 85% below levels dating back from 1990 a successful repurposing of a former funeral home such as the Instituto Familiar de la Raza Inc. becomes a place of simultaneous cultural and environmentally friendly significance serving the latin/x mission district community at large.
Purpose, Mission, and Principles
The Instituto embodies three of the following principles:
- Tú eres mi otro yo (We are one)
- La cultura cura (Culture Heals)
- Sí se puede (Yes, we can)
Its mission statement is the following:
The mission of Instituto Familiar de la Raza (IFR) is to promote and enhance the health and well-being of the Chicano/Latino/Indígena community of San Francisco.
It serves over 6,000 clients annually and provides wellness programs targeting the San Francisco Latino community. Some issues the many IFRs address include HIV, violence, trauma, or other behavioral & mental health issues.
An Interview with Co-Founder Concha Salcedo
What was the vision or intent behind repurposing the funeral home into the Instituto Familiar de la Raza Inc.?
IFR wanted to have a larger space and this space was made available to us by a donation from the Sumitomo Bank. Additionally, the bank helped us with funding to complete the renovations that needed to be done.
What interior and exterior elements were modified to align the space with its new purpose? Structurally, artistically, and/or furniture pieces?
IFR had to do away with the elements in the basement because it was a funeral home to start. We wanted to make the space as beautiful as possible for our community of the Mission. We put in beautiful hardwood floors instead of the existing rug, had a mural painted inside, and the exterior was painted a light orange color so it wouldn’t be as dismal as a lot of the conventional city places where you receive civic services. That was done intentionally so the community could experience something of their own that was beautiful and reflected who they were culturally.
Were there any challenges during the repurposing process? How did you navigate these?
We did have some challenges with the group that we hired for the renovations as they did not follow the agreement for hiring locally and their estimated time of completion. So, before the renovation was finished, we had to fire that group because of the extended timeframe and their lack of local personnel.
How has the cultural significance of the Instituto Familiar de la Raza Inc. evolved within the Mission District, and what role has it played in shaping the community over time?
The Instituto moved in the early 2000s and has grown in terms of budget, personnel, and types of programs that we can have not only on this site but on other sites as well. This building helped encourage everyone to see it as a strong organization in the community with the capacity to grow and hold its own. Having a strong physical presence was vital in ensuring that we used our funding properly and that we didn’t have to give money back to the city. Situations change, community changes, and we have many more Indigenous people from the South who participate which has allowed IFR to understand Indigenous presence and past as well. The repurposing is reemphasized and continues to grow as the population shifts to make it viable for all aspects of our population which now includes not just Chicanos, Latinos, or immigrants, but also those who identify as Indigenous.
Final Thoughts
It wasn’t about just repurposing the building, the IFR wanted the community to see something beautiful that belonged to them and was practical to provide services exceeding just civic services. We wanted activities such as drumming circles to occur amongst the community to provide healthy activities not only limited to the Raza. We wanted to work across racial and cultural communities so that we could empower people of color.
Unique to IFR is the spiritual focus in terms of who we are, our spirit, and our energy. Embracing this, we transform this to present-day time so that the community is stronger and doesn’t forget all the value that we have in our ancestral past. Lastly, the IFR isn’t just owned by the corporation, it really is owned by the community. This is a community building and the corporation is the guardian of the building and its purpose.
Architectural Figures Embodying the Power of Transformation
In 2021 Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal received the 2021 Pritzker Architecture Prize in which Anne Lacaton powerfully stated:
“Transformation is the opportunity to do more and better with what is already existing. The demolition is a decision of ease and short term. It is a waste of many things—a waste of energy, a waste of material, and a waste of history. Moreover, it has a very negative social impact. For us, it is an act of violence.”
A project evident of this statement was referenced in their winning of the Pritzker Architecture Prize where a transformation of the Palais de Tokyo took place in 2012.
Final Thoughts
In 1978, when the Instituto Familiar de la Raza Inc. was establishedThe transformation of a former funeral home into a community hub represented a challenging yet cost-efficient endeavor contributed by co-founder Concha Salcedo. This repurposing is a living testament speaking on the potential of architectural creativity in breathing new life into existing structures that was propelled by the homage paid in respecting the existing historical significance of San Francisco’s Mission District. By embracing the three principles of “Tú eres mi otro yo”, “La cultura cura”, and “Sí se puede” the Instituto not only serves the immediate needs of the Latinx community of the Mission but also reinforces the belief powerfully stated by French Architect, Anne Lacaton in that architecture is a powerful tool for cultural healing and empowerment.
Environmentally, as California strives for carbon neutrality by 2045, the Instituto’s successful repurposing serves as a model for sustainable development that prioritizes community health and well-being. Echoing the insights of Anne Lacaton, who emphasizes the importance of transformation over demolition, the Instituto exemplifies how thoughtful design can mitigate environmental impact while fostering social connections. This project underscores the necessity of valuing existing structures in the built environment, ultimately highlighting the vital role of adaptive reuse in shaping inclusive, resilient communities.
Through its ongoing commitment to addressing critical issues like trauma, violence, and mental health, Instituto Familiar de la Raza Inc. stands as a beacon of hope and resourcefulness in the Mission District, demonstrating that with creativity and intention, we can create spaces that honor our past while fostering a healthier future.
Reference List:
- San Francisco Examiner (1948). DEATHS. San Francisco Examiner. [online] 23 Sep. Available at: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/26046389/ [Accessed 20 Sep. 2024].
- United Nations Environment Programme (2023). Building Materials and the Climate: Constructing a New Future. UNEP – UN Environment Programme. [online] 12 Sep. Available at: https://www.unep.org/resources/report/building-materials-and-climate-constructing-new-future#:~:text=The%20buildings%20and%20construction%20sector.
- Created under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program (2024). The State of California’s Draft Priority Climate Action Plan. [online] Available at: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-03/california-cprg-priority-climate-action-plan.pdf [Accessed 24 Apr. 2024].
- Instituto Familiar de la Raza Inc. (n.d.) *Instituto Familiar de la Raza Inc.* Available at: https://www.ifrsf.org (Accessed: 20 September 2024).
- The Pritzker Architecture Prize (n.d.). Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal | The Pritzker Architecture Prize. [online] www.pritzkerprize.com. Available at: https://www.pritzkerprize.com/laureates/anne-lacaton-and-jean-philippe-vassal#laureate-page-2281.
- SF Department of Children, Youth & Their Families (2022). We Are the City Spotlight on Instituto Familiar de la Raza. [online] Medium. Available at: https://sf-dcyf.medium.com/we-are-the-city-spotlight-on-instituto-familiar-de-la-raza-1ab68126beef#:~:text=Instituto%20Familiar%20de%20la%20Raza%20(IFR)%20was%20founded%20in%201978 [Accessed 21 Sep. 2024].
