Catalyst Infrastructure for The Covered Market, Oxford, 2021
This live project builds upon the work initiated by the Meanwhile in Oxfordshire project to revitalise vacant shops across Oxfordshire, helping local businesses and community groups to bounce back from the impact of Covid-19 on our high streets.
The initiative explores the opportunity to provide space to under-represented groups who might otherwise be precluded from occupying a city centre location.
The semester was divided into an initial 4-week live project in which students consulted with Makespace and Transition by Design to design and build prototype installations. The prototypes were exhibited in a client consultation exhibition, in which each piece represented a catalyst concept, that could help accelerate the use and enjoyment of empty retail spaces by specific under-represented groups of people. Prototypes included a flexible multi-cultural eating surface; a sensory library; a performance stage and a wearable tea vendor stall.
Students then embarked on an 8-week individual theoretical project, exploring how they might occupy a plot in the covered market with demountable structure housing either an independent shop, cultural venue, creative studio, or a co-working space. Proposals included a traditional textiles centre and an activity space for those living with Alzheimers.
The site for the catalyst as well as the theoretical project was the Covered Market in Oxford City Centre. This 250 year old historic market houses permanent stalls and shops in a large covered structure in central Oxford.
With thanks to Andrew Edwards and Alex Lui from Meanwhile in Oxfordshire; Lucy Warin from Transition by Design; Makespace Oxford; staff and shop keepers at The Covered Market.
Students: Year 1 students on the BA (Hons) Architecture and BA (Hons) Interior Architecture in the academic year 2020-21.
Tutor team: Jane Anderson, Ralph Saull, Khisha Clarke, Thomas Dawson, Sebastiano Giannesini, Caroline Richardt Beck, Vita Rosi and Shravan Vaidyanath
