Lot 2270: Making Space for the Oakland
Merit Award /
2026, Small Projects, Big Impact
Oakland, California
Lot 2270 Site plan illustrating the transformation of a former surface parking lot into a flexible public square with a central flex lawn, plaza space, and perimeter seating along Broadway and 34th Street.
© SWA
Before Condition: Prior to intervention, the site functioned as an underutilized surface parking lot, contributing little to neighborhood life along the Broadway corridor.
© David Lloyd
After Transformation: The completed Lot 2270 reclaims asphalt for people, introducing color, seating, and open space that supports daily use and community gatherings.
© David Lloyd
Local + Low-Carbon Fabrication: Custom site furnishings fabricated from locally salvaged redwood highlight the project’s low-carbon approach and collaboration with Oakland-based makers.
© David Lloyd
Neighborhood Context: Aerial view showing Lot 2270 embedded within Oakland’s emerging Northlake district, providing much-needed public space amid dense urban context.
© David Lloyd
Urban Living Room: Overhead view of the flex lawn and plaza functioning as a shared outdoor living room for the neighborhood.
© David Lloyd
The flexible lawn accommodates performances, markets, and informal gatherings without prescribing a single use.
© David Lloyd
Community-led programming and events activate the space, reinforcing Lot 2270 as a platform for local culture and expression.
© David Lloyd
Movable furniture and open layout support casual, everyday use alongside larger community events.
© David Lloyd
Custom wood seating made from salvaged materials invites rest, lingering, and informal social interaction.
© David Lloyd
Local artist installations and murals give the space a distinctly Oakland identity and sense of ownership.
© David Lloyd
The flex lawn supports wellness activities such as fitness classes and yoga, expanding access to outdoor recreation.
© David Lloyd
Lot 2270 shifts a car–oriented block toward people-centered urban life, reconnecting the neighborhood through shared public space.
© David Lloyd
Client
Lakeside Group
Project Team
Daniel Cunningham SWA
Ashley Langworthy Miasto
Marco Sherman SWA
Richard Crockett SWA
Karla Dampkin SWA
Trent Thompson ABG Group
Warren Logan
Michael Veneziano Ponderosa Millworks
Project Statement
Lot 2270 is a small public space with an outsized civic impact, showing how simple, strategic design can meaningfully change neighborhood life. Built on a former surface parking lot along Broadway in Oakland’s emerging Northlake district, the project reclaims an underused parcel and transforms it into a flexible, community-focused gathering place.
Instead of waiting years for permanent development, Lot 2270 asks a simple question: what if this space mattered now? A light kit of parts, shade, planting, lighting, art, and movable furniture, creates comfort and identity without prescribing a single use. On any given day, the space might host a market, performance, fitness class, or just a neighborhood hangout.
Rooted in Oakland’s values, Lot 2270 shows how small, tactical projects can restore public life and set a powerful precedent for people-first urban change.
Project Description
Conceived as a fast, low-cost, and people-first effort, Lot 2270 responds to a familiar urban condition: vacant asphalt lots waiting years for future redevelopment while contributing little to everyday life. Rather than treating this in-between condition as a problem, the project embraces it as an opportunity, one that delivers immediate social, cultural, and economic value. With a focus on comfort, openness, and adaptability, the former parking lot became a shared outdoor living room for the neighborhood.
Despite its modest scale, Lot 2270 has had a visible impact on its surroundings. A restrained palette of lawn, planting, lighting, and movable furniture defines the space without prescribing how it must be used. This intentional simplicity allows the site to support a wide range of activities, from casual daily use to markets, performances, and community events. Rather than locking the space into a single vision, the design invites local organizations, artists, vendors, and neighbors to shape it over time. Lot 2270 is not a finished object, but a platform for public life. What was once a gap in Oakland’s urban fabric is now a recognizable landmark and everyday meeting place that anchors the Northlake district.
The project also highlights the value of speed and pragmatism in urban design. The timeline was ambitious: design, construction, and delivery were completed in just three months. To meet this schedule while reinforcing a strong local identity, the design team partnered closely with Oakland- based artists, Designers, and Makers. A local artist collective implemented the ground mural, woven fence, and community announcement board, while a West Oakland Millwork studio transformed salvaged Eucalyptus from a fire protection removal in Oakland Hills into custom furniture. These collaborations fostered an “all hands on deck” approach that enabled rapid delivery while rooting the space in its community.
Lot 2270 demonstrates that meaningful public space does not require permanence or major capital investment. Tactical, interim projects can test ideas, build trust, and raise expectations for what public space can be. Along a corridor long shaped by traffic and private development, Lot 2270 signals a shift toward a more people-centered street. Its regular use and programming support local culture, encourage small-scale economic activity, and strengthen social connections.
Through clear intent, flexible design, and a strong focus on people and place, Lot 2270 transforms a forgotten parking lot into a vibrant public asset-proving that even small projects can create lasting community impact.
