Discovering Placemaking: A Guided Tour of Liberty Station

Liberty Station, a 361-acre master-planned community on the shores of San Diego Bay, exemplifies how thoughtful design can breathe new life into historic spaces. Once the Naval Training Center (NTC), a bustling hub that trained over 2.75M service members from 1923-1997, this site has become a vibrant mixed-use destination blending arts, education, commerce, and recreation.

Join us for an exclusive guided tour tailored for architects and designers that showcases the collaborative genius behind Liberty Station's reinvention. It will be led by a local architect, AIA Firm Award recipient LPA Design Studios, and an NTC Foundation expert.

Learning Objectives

1. Delve into the adaptive reuse of signature structures, such as the event lawns (converted from parade grounds) and the refurbished Liberty Public Market.
2. Stroll the Open-Air Gallery, an outdoor showcase of rotating public art installations, including 9' border-inspired sculptures by artist Miki Iwasaki that explore themes of migration and identity.
3. Examine waterfront promenades and native landscaping that enhance biodiversity and views of the bay while demonstrating low-impact design strategies that balance preservation with modern functionality.
4. Network with peers while drawing inspiration for your own projects on adaptive reuse and inclusive placemaking.

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