PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER
Project Role: Senior Interior Designer at Within Studio
Interior Design Firm: Within Studio
Architect: Swaim Associates LTD | Architects AIA
General Contractor: WE O’Neil
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Project Size: 21,231 SF
Status: Design Complete | Opening Fall 2026
The 21,000 square-foot Early Education Center for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe was designed to provide a safe, nurturing environment for children from infancy through age seven while celebrating the Tribe's rich cultural heritage. Known as *Itom Ili Tosapo Am Remtituane* ("Our Little Nest of Enlightenment"), the campus supports working families with a 24-hour childcare program, creating a welcoming place where children are immersed in Pascua Yaqui language, traditions, and community. The design incorporates age-specific classrooms, administrative spaces, and outdoor learning environments, with each building thoughtfully tailored to its users. Color, artwork, and material selections were carefully developed in collaboration with local Tribal artists, weaving storytelling, history, and cultural identity throughout the campus. The administrative building provides a more refined interpretation of the vibrant palette found throughout the educational spaces, creating a cohesive visual identity while supporting around-the-clock operations.
As Project Manager and Lead Senior Interior Designer, I guided the project from design development through construction, ensuring each classroom was thoughtfully designed to support the developmental needs of its respective age group. I collaborated closely with Tribal representatives, local artists, architects, engineers, and consultants to create spaces that authentically reflected Pascua Yaqui culture while meeting the functional demands of a 24-hour early education facility. This project reinforced the importance of community engagement and cultural stewardship, shaping design decisions that prioritized safety, belonging, and a meaningful sense of place for children, families, and staff.
Renderings by: Swaim Associates LTD
