Guided Tour Designing for Everyone – The History Behind ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station
Guided Tour Designing for Everyone – The History Behind ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station
Designing for Everyone: The History Behind ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station is a guided walking tour through nearly a century of design transformation, from the site’s origins as the Naval Training Center to its rebirth as one of San Diego’s most vibrant cultural hubs. As we walk the former parade grounds and historic barracks-turned-studios, we’ll trace how thoughtful adaptive reuse and urban planning shaped a space where artists, makers, and the public now come together. In the spirit of Design for Everyone, this tour makes design tangible: guests will see up close how architecture, art, and community vision can turn a piece of military history into a living creative district. A walk through history and design alike, perfect for anyone curious about how spaces are reimagined without losing their story.
About the Host
obr + Lionakis
OBR + Lionakis is a cultural architecture firm dedicated to designing spaces that connect people, place, and community. With deep roots in San Diego, the firm has long been part of the ongoing story of ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station. Helping shape the adaptive reuse of this historic Naval Training Center campus into a thriving home for artists, makers, and creative culture. Beyond cultural work, OBR + Lionakis designs education, civic, and healthcare environments across California, bringing the same thoughtful, human-centered approach to schools, government buildings, and hospitals. Guided by a belief that design should be accessible to everyone, the firm always designs with an eye toward preserving history while building for the future.
