Rethinking Hunger
Throughout this course, I found myself more and more intrigued by the relationship between food and the built environment. In the end, our need to feed ourselves is one of the main factors, if not the most important one, that has shaped cities and societies. I believe food offers us a unique angle through which we can understand not only design and the built environment but also how everything ties together - from rituals surrounding farming, cooking, and the sharing of meals, to imperialism, capitalism, and to the devaluation of human life and nature.
For that reason, my project is centred around food. Specifically, the focus is on nurturing a more holistic relationship between the individual and the processes involved in feeding the community - instead of being passive beneficiary, they become an active participant. To do that, I have designed a communal kitchen, bakery, and food-sharing space where people can gather and connect through food, by cooking and eating together. The building will sit within a food forest that will keep the land alive and feed the generations to come in a sustainable way.
This project was also an opportunity for me to get familiar with earthen materials and low-tech building methods. My main focus was on cob and the way in which its properties can be applied in modern architecture. Considering the simplicity of the material, I have also explored the potential to engage those without formal architectural training in the building process and provide a platform for them to contribute and make an impact. By embracing diverse voices and enabling broader participation, the project seeks to challenge existing norms and foster inclusivity within the architectural realm.
