The Whittier Packing House project centered on revitalizing a 50,000-square-foot timber structure once used for the region’s citrus trade. The goal was to preserve its architectural integrity while positioning it as a cornerstone for the city’s growing cultural and commercial district. Chaka’s work focused on strategic site planning and experience design to connect the building’s legacy with modern community needs.
Through careful programming, spatial planning, and material studies, the site was reframed as a destination that merges hospitality, retail, and event use under one cohesive vision. The result is a flexible framework that honors Whittier’s history while creating new pathways for local business, culture, and community engagement.
