Fall 2014 Design Studio – The Food Hub
In the most literal sense, a hive is a food hub that is found in nature. A hive also represents a sustainable system that can help feed communities. This “hive” has the following programmatic spaces with the following uses:
1. Kitchen
2. Community Room
3. Dining space
4. Deck
5. Outdoor seating and planters
6. Back deck
7. Mezzanine
The main idea of this project was to combine the community garden with the food hub, by making parts of the food hub a suitable place for plants -such as herbs- to grow indoor vertically. The kitchen is placed in the front façade which makes it visible to pedestrian, and outdoor eating areas are available within the community garden. The objective is to create a unique-pleasant environment for the green food hub users; whether they are customers, students, or even chefs, by engaging them more in the food making process from its basics, which will enrich the teaching experience that the food hub intend to offer for the whole community.
The main objective of this project was to incorporate many different interactive programs all at an accessible level through the use of decking. A connection was made between the two buildings, through an extension containing a bike storage for the transportation hub and an entrance with seating for the restaurant in the food hub. Towards the back an outdoor grilling station is also available, as well as a dock for food trucks to park.
The concept of project is to engage the community throughout the seasons with healthy options. Improving pedestrian connection on site help increase interaction between people. The wooden deck connecting the food hub, green house, transportation center and smart house hold the buildings together as a complex. The deck is accessible with the ramps from parking and walkways from both the streets. Wooden deck also serves as summer barbeque or event space with kitchen extension on south side. Different seating arrangements facilitate seasonal outdoor and indoor dining. The deck opens into the community garden.
