Since 2015, Group 4 has worked co-designing a permanent home for the Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Market signature downtown location. Working in close collaboration with both the Market and City, our team developed a vision for a block-long, dynamic community market and event space that will activate the east side of downtown Santa Cruz.

Through a series of feasibility studies, Group 4 identified a site that can successfully grow with the market over time and holds the capacity to host a wide range of events and activities including a food hub, community kitchen, and small business incubator. The conceptual design for the market responds to the changing environment of downtown, and envisions an adaptable, prefabricated structural system that can expand over time.

More than just a temporary market, this facility is envisioned as a downtown commons — open to all and responsive to both longtime market users as well as new residents. The modern, light-filled, open market structure integrates into its downtown context, and serves as a gateway to Pacific Avenue and the waterfront beyond.

The design has been positively received by the Farmers’ Market board and is currently in schematic design.