Above: Ghost of the Past (photo transfer)
Working with the ghost and memory of this thin building of 965 feet in length, I first considered its location, purpose and meaning.
While there is scarce green space, Providence River stream flows above the site, as the freeway and train tracks follow below. The north side of the building across the street is residential development, only surrounded by industrial buildings and the mall. The souther view towards the veins of freeway system is not desirable, and there is lack of public space, repose and congregation.
Availability of fresh produce is not found anywhere near. I find it paradoxical that more health related businesses are entering the neighborhood, without any strategic change on their environment itself. Now architects are at work.
In given circumstances, we needed to maximize the solar gain for commercial growing while maintaining public spaces, education facilities and marketplace.
I split the building in two by scooping away a steep valley of void in the center, eroding roof and floor plates in length, much similar to the grain and the direction of other surrounding veins. Opening up the middle of the building in a courtyard scheme not only introduced light, but also created its own river within.
Basement Plan: Public may enter in the central Market Place through basement and/or 1st floor level.
1FL Plan: From North Facade, the public is immediately drawn to the transparent glass box of the restaurant section.
2FL Plan: Restaurants and cafe, incubator kitchens, classrooms and community gardens.
The grain of the building is defined by the planting beds fountains and fish tanks in modules. From the basement level in the valley one looks up to the courtyard balconies of the upper levels and up to the sky. Main stream of fish ponds and fish tanks flow in the basement.
Large portion of the public functions and engagement occurs on the north side of the river while private growing facilities are on the south side, mostly enclosed for sanitary reasons. They become indoor greenhouse. And the space between the building and the freeway becomes outdoor farming and live-stock area.
Water collection occurs in the roof, draining from east to west, back to the basement treatment system for irrigation and plumbing. Both public and commercial composting area is also located in the basement.
This building serves as the hub of public interaction and the provider of fresh produce, fish and grocery as a giant backyard for neighboring community and local citizens. However, its sheer capacity also provides opportunity to send what is harvested to other states as well. Above all, the building runs on its own ecology, amidst light, water and soil, in a temperature and humidity controlled environment while providing pleasure to the eyes with its green space in and outside of the building.
