ToxStop

FINALIST of Archi-Hack: Gas Station

+ FINALIST

Archi-Hack: Gas Station

[18888]

ToxStop – a quick stop for clean urban care

Team

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ToxStop aims to repurpose an old gas station in the city centre into a safe, clean, and transitional space for individuals impacted by substance use and homelessness. 

Urban drug use is a persistent challenge in cities, which is often exacerbated by relocating affected individuals. Hiding substance use does not eliminate the problem – it forces individuals into hidden, unsafe spaces and leads to social exclusion, increased stigma and worsens health risks. ToxStop acknowledges addiction as a social issue and addresses these complex challenges by providing safe rooms for drug consumption. Essential amenities such as toilets and showers allow individuals to stop by and move on with dignity. A key feature is the repurposing of gas pumps to offer easily accessible services: clean injection equipment, a tap water refill station, a device charging station fuelled by solar panels on the roof, and a phone booth for emergency calls and psychological support. 

The structure of the gas station remains the same without major intervention, making a conversion easily implementable. The project preserves the historical notion of a quick stop while redefining its purpose to support vulnerable communities. ToxStop demonstrates how renewing obsolete urban structures can yield socially responsible and innovative community spaces.

Jury Comments

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