Mohammed Abdulhabeb

Steeped in history, the 16th Street Station and the community that cherishes it are calling for a revival. This transformation aims to preserve its past while providing a sustainable, forward-looking vision to serve future generations. The revitalized station will feature spaces that honor its history and connection to the Civil Rights movement and the rise of the Black middle class, while offering economic knowledge and opportunities. A branch of an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) will host a graduate business program, complemented by a Civil and Labor Rights center, shops, and pop-up food stalls. This blend of learning, activism, and commerce will create a vibrant hub that resonates with the community’s needs. Closely linked with the West Oakland neighborhood, the modular design, using repurposed shipping containers, will present a modern and dynamic approach to house the college. This design is separate from the station’s walls and roof, allowing the Beaux-Arts interior to remain in its original beauty. The vertical arrangement of the bright shipping containers creates a feeling of a small cityscape and offers opportunities for community engagement and a welcoming atmosphere, contrasting with its former image as an isolated relic. In doing so, the station will not only preserve its heritage but also anchor itself in a future full of purpose and connection.

Faculty Sameena Sitabkhan