Project Data:

Completion Date:     11/3/2026

Square Footage:      20245

Building Use:           Civic

Project Description:

The YOZCCC will be developed on a 1.85 acres of elevated land at the foreground of a beautiful mountain with panoramic views all-around, that would consist of: 20,245 square-foot enclosed building area, 29,962 square-foot of covered unenclosed area including the entry plazas, walkways, balconies, patios, driveway and 33 covered parking spaces. The site will have a total of 98 parking spaces including 17 spaces with charging stations for Electrical Vehicles, and 10 lockable lockers for bicycles; and 28,114 square-foot of outdoor landscaped area. We have 850 lockers on the second and third floors specifically for shoe storage, each with its own numbered key.

The community center is designed as a three-story building consisting of: reception area, Prayer Hall / multi purpose rooms, office space, library, classrooms (for religious studies, cultural, art and craft…etc.), game rooms, senior activity rooms and cooking/sewing showrooms, meeting room, kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas, bookstore, gift shop; mortuary (religiously prep area), reception/viewing room, office/info and restrooms; and vertical circulations: elevators and stairs; equipment and storage space.

The YOZ Cultural Community Center is designed to serves as a vibrant hub for cultural activities and community engagement. With its innovative architectural design, the center offers a welcoming space for residents to participate in a wide range of programs, fostering a sense of community and cultural appreciation.

Design for Integration, Design for Energy, Design for Well-being, Design for Discovery 

DESIGN INTEGRATION:
The architectural design of YOZCCC (due to its size and function) is aimed to be responsive to a complex site and environmental conditions, overall policy objective of the Harmony Grove Village Specific Plan as well as the County of San Diego Zoning Ordinance. The design, as a modern style of architecture, incorporate varying building massing, balance, and entry statement that are proportionate with the overall structure and its immediate surrounding.

The YOZCCC will be developed on a 1.85 acres of elevated land at the foreground of a beautiful mountain with panoramic views all-around, that would consist of: 20,245 square-foot enclosed building area, 29,962 square-foot of covered unenclosed area including the entry plazas, walkways, balconies, patios, driveway and 33 covered parking spaces. The site will have a total of 95 parking spaces including 17 spaces with charging stations for electrical vehicles, and 10 lockable lockers for bicycles; and 28,114 square-foot of outdoor landscaped area. There is a total of 850 lockers on the second and third floors specifically for shoe storage, each with its own numbered key.

The YOZCCC is designed as a three-story building (with first level being a podium structure) consisting of: reception area, prayer hall / multipurpose rooms, office space, library, classrooms (for religious studies, cultural, art and craft…etc.), game rooms, senior activity rooms and cooking/sewing showrooms, meeting room, kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas, bookstore, gift shop; mortuary (religiously prep area), reception/viewing room, office/info and restrooms; and vertical circulations: elevators and stairs; equipment and storage space.

Although this building is three story high, but it has been articulated with combination of vertical and horizontal elements including covered patios and voids along the exterior walls on all sides. Together with the selection of proper form, material and particularly well blending colors within the design of various elements, the building is envisioned to be in a harmonious sitting within its lot, neighborhood, immediate surroundings and mainly the dominating open space (the mountain at the background).

Particularly all the colors selected for the building blend well with the natural surrounding/open space various elements. Elevations include materials, textures and colors that are typically used (within its neighborhood) such as cladding materials of stucco, exposed concrete, stone, and exterior ceilings that appear as wood paneling. Various exterior finish materials, including combination of materials/components such as simple columns, stairs, railings, windows and doors are positioned proportionately within the elevations in which they are applied. Roof/roofline include strong varied forms, with generous eaves (in the form of a cover over patios) with overhangs to create shadows and add textures to the structure. In addition the flat roof is utilized to house solar panels to generate adequate solar energy to make this an energy self-sufficient building.

The YOZ Cultural Community Center is crafted to be a vibrant space for cultural activities and community involvement. Its innovative design welcomes residents to participate in various programs, fostering a sense of togetherness and cultural appreciation.

DESIGN FOR ENERGY:
The YOZCCC is designed as an energy sufficient/efficient building. While the roof / roofline include strong varied forms, with generous eaves (in the form of a cover over patios) with overhangs to create shadows and add textures to the structure; the flat roof is utilized to house solar panels to generate adequate solar energy to make this an energy self-sufficient building. The solar panel proposed area of 7,540 sq. ft. for installation of 350 solar panels generating 140 kWh solar energy system and annual power production of 228,883 kW. In addition the site include 17 spaces with charging stations for electrical vehicles, and 10 lockable lockers for bicycles; and 28,114 square-foot of outdoor landscaped area.

DESIGN FOR WELL-BEING:
The YOZCCC is designed to accommodate a non-profit and non-political 501(c) (3) national organization, which will be established based on a mission of developing a community center by providing educational, cultural and religious services to the Muslim society in the San Diego County. To this end the programs & events are non-partisan and secular, with artistic and cultural value being the ultimate benchmarks. The facility will be used for cultural and religious programs and events. The center will seek and welcome all members of the San Diego community and visitors to the city to enjoy and participate in its programs.

To accommodate a variety of spiritual, educational, and community-focused programs and initiatives, the YOZCCC is designed by incorporating traditional details, and various components of Islamic style of architecture to create an environment with balance and harmony, where individuals can deepen their faith, strengthen their connection with god, and live in accordance with the values of Islam.

The YOZCCC is designed to accommodate functions such as: from spiritual guidance and education to social support and cultural enrichment, the center offers a holistic approach to community development. The services include religious counseling, marriage solemnization, educational programs for children and adults, as well as various community events and gatherings.

The center provides an inclusive and welcoming environment where individuals can come together to worship, learn, and connect with one another. Through our commitment to promoting spiritual growth, social cohesion, and cultural appreciation, we aim to empower our community members to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives guided by the principles of compassion, tolerance, and unity.

DESIGN FOR DISCOVERY:
The Emblem is designed as a focal point at the center and foreground of YOZCCC, which consists of a digital screen of 18 feet in diameter seated on a water wall within an ornamental water fountain of 56 feet in diameter. The digital screen will display the 99 names of Allah (SWT) in Arabic with English translation in rotation of 15-30 seconds intervals around the clock. This emblem will enable the users and visitors to intimately be connected with the divine attributes – an essential part of human existence, purpose, and correlation with god (SWT) in moving forward through life with knowledge, wisdom, righteousness, generosity and mercy…

Completion Date:     11/3/2026

Square Footage:      20245

Building Use:           Civic

Location:                 2625 HARMONY GROVE VILLAGE PARKWAY, ESCONDIDO, CA

Masum Azizi

Azizi Architects, Inc.

SAYED M. QADERI (CLIENT/OWNER)
11335 BRECKINRIDGE WAY
SAN DIEGO CA 92131
TEL:858-216-0607

Azizi Architects, Inc.

To Be Determined.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT:

Jennifer Campos, Project Director
RECON Environmental, Inc.
3111 Camino del Rio North, Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92108-5726
O (619) 308-4210 x 123
C (619) 840-5359


CIVIL ENGINEER:

Shannon Davis, PE, MS
Senior Project Manager
Atlas Civil Design
(619) 307-2749
SDDavis@AtlasCivilDesign.com


SURVEYING ENGINEER:

Charan J. Mellor
Senior Project Manager
Atlas Geospatial
Oceanside, CA
Ph: 805.279.7611

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER:

Troy K. Reist, CEG, MBA | Vice President/Senior Geologist
GEOCON INCORPORATED
6960 Flanders Drive San Diego, CA 92127
Office 858.558.6900 Ext. 211 Mobile 619.818.0267
reist@geoconinc.com / www.geoconinc.com /

Azizi Architects, Inc.