Sparks Community Center El Paso
Community design process: 2022 – 2024 | Texas Society of Architects Studio Prize

Sparks Oasis is a community-led revitalization of a former community center in Sparks, a colonia on El Paso’s east side. Built incrementally since the 1980s from repurposed trailers on county-owned land, the existing structure has long served as a gathering space for residents. This project is part of a broader initiative to co-design a new landscape with the community, ensuring the space continues to evolve with its needs.

Led by Kristine Stiphany and Jason Sowell, with Brianna Deleon and Jorge Ituarte Arreola, the design transforms the site into a multi-functional resource for the neighborhood. A broad roof will collect rainwater, supporting a surrounding landscape that doubles as a seed bank for street trees—extending the project’s impact beyond the site itself. By creating shade along the streets and restoring habitat lost to drought, Sparks Oasis is not only a revitalized community hub but also a catalyst for environmental resilience in the region.