3 minute read
Client Meeting
Students met with the clients for an interview to discuss the project and identify priorities. The conversation covered many themes that influence the students’ design proposals.
Close-Knit Small Town with Storied Past
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Afton is a town of about 1,000 residents in northeastern Oklahoma. The town is located within the Cherokee Nation, which is an important component of the town’s history and future. Afton has a history as a railroad, hay farming, and mining community. Today, Afton has many residents who have lived in the area for their whole life or many generations. The town includes elderly residents and young families, and the local school system provides an anchor for the sense of community. Afton’s residents frequently gather for parades, festivals, rodeos, and other events.
Afton also has the potential to attract and capture the attention of more visitors who are passing through the community. It is located along historic Route 66, a source of a steady stream of international tourists. It is also located near Grand Lake, a destination for many people who have lake houses especially from the Tulsa metro area.
Moving Towards Addressing Important Needs
Afton does not have a grocery store, leaving residents to drive more than 15 miles to neighboring communities for food. Even though there is a Dollar General and other new development in town, it is about 3 miles away from where most residents live, including many residents without access to vehicles.
Advocates and town leaders in Afton have many visions to improve conditions: They have been working on important initiatives like building a trail to connect the town to the newly developed businesses, adding Route 66 attractions, improving the public park at the heart of town, and adding a new Farmer’s Market.
Other volunteer and educational efforts that tie into the future Farmer’s Market include a community garden which has been developed by Josh at the Assembly of God Church, and agriculture education courses at the local school district.
Centrally-Located Building and Public Space
A building which could be utilized as part of a Farmer’s Market facility has been identified in the heart of Afton. The building is centrally located within walkable distance of many homes in the city, and it is located in a public park so that activities can take place inside and outside of the structure.
The building is constructed with a uniquely patterned brick, has a cedar ceiling on the interior, windows for natural light, and an overhead door facing Main Street. The park has had recent improvements like a new playground, and local groups have also acquired equipment for programs like an outdoor movie night.
Bringing People Together For Food and More
Several programming considerations were discussed for the project. Certainly, the Farmer’s Market should provide a place where people can buy and sell produce and foods. However, local residents envision a flexible space that can accommodate a variety of programs and events year round, even when produce is out of season.
This could include food/craft educational workshops, children’s events, community events, health clinics or resources, and private events like weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, etc. These program needs might suggest a need for public restrooms, a kitchen that meets criteria to be approved as a commercial/catering kitchen by the local health department, volunteer work areas, storage space for event furnishings, etc.
Several design priorities were also discussed. Design concepts should keep in mind a budgetconscious approach for this small and scrappy community! Perhaps volunteers, found materials, and donations can play a role in making ideas work within a budget. Energy efficient solutions like solar panels, LED lighting, natural light, etc. are also of interest. Could also consider how activities and events in the building could generate revenues (Fee for booth space, fee for event rentals, etc?) the diverse needs of a small community, an investment of this kind should be flexible enough to meet many different needs. The space should be able to accommodate many different types of activities and programs.
The location in the park also allows exploration of indoor/outdoor spaces. The outdoor spaces are a well-known component of many farmer’s market and can extend the area for flexible programming. Indoor and outdoor spaces should be well connected as part of the same experience for visitors.
Reflecting Afton’s Personality
The building should find ways to celebrate Afton’s history and personality, as a way to build community and also as a way to capture the attention of Route 66 travelers.
