JOSEPH LICO

CONCEPT
The idea for this project is to create a communal space where the entire food process all takes place: from growth, production, and consumption — Something that typically doesn’t take place in a public setting, in effort to raise awareness of the origins of the food we eat and discover new and sustainable ways to produce it.

DESIGN
Overall, the design approach attempts to foster a better connection between the built and natural environment, creating this organic form that is very vertically integrated with the landscape. All of this to create an inviting and calming environment to attract people to engage more actively with the site.

COMPONENTS
The project comprises of 4 main components: vertical gardens, hydroponic gardens, dining spaces, and kitchens – all outlined in my axonometric drawing.

OUTDOOR SPACE
The outdoor open space is designed to be most inviting, with clear windows on a winding path exposing the vertical gardens silos. The idea is that the public is encouraged to participate in the production of the community’s produce through these gardens – basically someone can kind of take responsibility for growing something specific for the community. Coupled with these flat outdoor dining spaces, where people can set up a picnic, or even just come and hang out and enjoy the nature for a bit, they open or curl up to reveal space below the ground.

UNDERGROUND
This underground space holds the public kitchen on this split level floor where people can prepare the food grown on-site, which then creates a small nook or cove for people to dine below. This then suggests a forward direction back through the site that is complimentary of the structure above.

VERTICAL GARDENS
The vertical gardens silos also influences and affects the spatial arrangement below. The vining plants extended below the surface creates varying levels of ceiling heights. Coupled with varying floor levels, it presents opportunities for more dining options that may be either private or more inviting.

HYDROPONIC GARDENS
These Hydroponic garden columns below are another important component to this project. They are designed to work in tandem with the natural gardens above and provide an efficient method of growing food - not to mention that they also provide year-round access to any crop since they work independent from any weather effects. In terms of design and their spatial role, it helps to break up the space, and directly communicate with the raised dining sections above, allowing light to be directionally forwarded to the hydroponic plants underground.

PRIVATE SPACE
In the back is the private owners space/private space for gardener-in-residence. There is a ground floor kitchen secluded from the rest of the space and divided with floor-to-ceiling window slabs - which is also slightly lifted to supply light underground. Atop is the bedroom and lounge, and the windows and the opposing slanted roof help to create more privacy in the space as it faces away from the public activity. There is also an opposing facing balcony to allow for the resident to enjoy some fresh air in a more private setting.

CONCLUSION
Overall, this project is attempting to create a new way for people to engage and participate in the well being of the entire community. Whether actively engaging in the production of the community’s produce through the two types of gardens, or even just sitting and enjoying the zen-like atmosphere, this site is aiming to become a larger part of the collective community experience in a new way that’s not often seen as collective.