International Cottages

International Cottages Expansion
Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

The International Cottages in Balboa Park (i.e. House of Pacific Relations) were established for the 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition as a consortium of exhibit buildings representing over 32 countries to promote multicultural goodwill and peace between nations.

This expansion project required an amendment to the master plan and included the construction of nine new cottages and landscape improvements. The buildings were designed in the Spanish Eclectic style to be architecturally compatible with the existing historic cottages while incorporating different detailing to set them apart. The countries housed in the new cottages are Korea, India, Peru, Chamorros, Palestine, Turkey, Panama, Mexico, and Philippines.

The new cottages are grouped within five stand-alone buildings; four duplexes and one single cottage. Each of the buildings has a shared restroom and residential-style kitchen. Three of the five buildings have below-ground basements. The added cottages incorporate the historic palette of materials and embody the traditional Spanish charm that the International Cottages are known for.