Discover Oxford Community Space

Project Partner
Discover Oxford

Project Mission
Transform a vacant gas station into a flexible community hub that supports local organizations, public programs, and everyday gathering.

The Discover Oxford Community Space transforms a familiar but underutilized structure into a welcoming civic gathering place for the town. Located along Oxford’s historic square, the former gas station offers a recognizable landmark with the potential to become an open, flexible hub for community activity. The design embraces its existing form and memory, reimagining it as a space that supports everyday gatherings and community events.

Community-Centered Approach
The project builds upon the goals of the Downtown Oxford Revitalization Plan, which aims to strengthen the square, improve accessibility, and support economic activity in the town center. Working closely with the Discover Oxford team, in partnership with Nowhere Collaborative, we developed a design process grounded in the realities of the site and the needs of the community. Early in the process, we studied the existing building and site conditions and identified priorities for the space, including accessible public restrooms, storage for community events, and flexible indoor and outdoor gathering areas.

Respecting History and Existing Buildings
The design concept builds directly from the existing building, carefully extending it with two additions that flank the original volume. The interior of the existing structure is transformed into a flexible community space with a small supporting kitchen and reception area. One addition introduces accessible public restrooms, while the other provides storage for Discover Oxford’s equipment and event materials.

Site Strategy
These strategic changes help activate the broader site. The former forecourt of the gas station and the surrounding lot are reimagined as a flexible outdoor gathering space that can host food trucks, seating, and informal community events. Together, these interventions transform the site into a welcoming public place that celebrates Oxford’s identity while creating new opportunities for community life in the heart of downtown.

Capital Campaign Support
To support Discover Oxford’s fundraising efforts, we developed a vision image and preliminary cost estimates that communicate the potential of the project while establishing a clear and feasible path toward implementation. Following fundraising, the project will advance into the development of a full construction and permit set to bring this vision to life.

Architecture for Public Benefit Team
Chana Haouzi, Lev Ko

Collaborators
Partner Architect: Nowhere Collaborative