Title: Cultivating: Farm as Exploration Platform
Location of Proejct: Cave Spring, GA
Project Completion Date: May 30th, 2022
Firm Name:
Short Description: We cultivated the land, or the land cultivated us? While we are distanced from the production of our food, we also loosen the connection of the land beneath us. This project is an exploration towards the reintroduction of the countryside as a lifestyle by designing step stones for the transition. The food forest approach blurred the line between the cultivated and undisturbed landscape, while the architecture served as an amplifier for the rhythm of the elements.
Architect's Statement: Our stewardship of this planet has altered the surface of the Earth to an unprecedented level. The dichotomy between urban and rural not only changed the overall context of physical space but also deeply influenced the shifting culture and identities. Moreover, population flow has been a one-way street for most of the last century and has scaled globally. Centralization has created positive effects for most of the time, however, after the extreme focus of urban development since WWII, and unsustainable practices during this process, the question for society as a whole has become: have we arrived at a tipping point?
Located in Northwest Georgia, Cave spring nests in the foothills of the Appalachians. The site is taking the best nature has to offer, also not too far from densely populated urban areas which can be potential targets of influence. The bucolic site is embraced by the creek and hugged by the mountains which provide many beautiful encounters between human and nature that can foster change. The weather is mostly pleasant during all seasons giving the possibility for many agricultural activities as well as outdoor adventures .
This farm is designed as stepping stones to help people rediscover the countryside by providing short term immersive experiences for understanding and experiencing the fruitful landscape: The front garden with public programs are preparing users mentally and physically for working with the land, the ateliers and dwelling units in the field are the hands-on introduction to a different lifestyle in the countryside.
Trying to blend the edge quality between the undisturbed and cultivated, the site proposes a special edge condition of the creek and the fields inward with a gradient of natural habitat and food production through the practice of food forest. Nature is marching from the north of the site downward towards the architecture and eventually forms an equilibrium between the structure and wildness. As biodiversity increases over time, we will be able to lower the maintenance and human intervention needed to support the food production process. The land will also be more productive as well as healthier during the process.
The highly organized truffle farm on the higher ground contrasts with the reintroduction of natural forests on the tip of the peninsula. Simplicity and complexity coexist in harmony within natural environments. The transition between these two different approaches to cultivation will foster sensual experience and curiosity towards the complex and intertwining natural processes.
With the undisturbed mountains as the backdrop, the architecture translates the fluidity and natural cycle into its form and casts an experience to amplify our sensations towards it while challenging the preconceived notion of a farm.
The three major public programs are centered around the gardens and outdoor platform as a laboratory of landscaping and food production in a garden. With integrated irrigation through rain water collection and different micro climate conditions to foster a diverse and dynamic garden.
Functioning as the grand entrance of the farm, the gateway creates a mysterious feeling and reveals the bucolic scene at the center of the farm. The tree under the oculus is the messenger of the elements. It changes with the cycle of the season. It is inside the structure but responds to all the dynamics of the environment. The floor is sloping toward the center around the tree. The moving water droplets presented gravity in motion and contributed to the rain water collection system underneath the structure. After stepping into the garden, the next stop is the café with a view towards the creek. The fluidity of the structure mimics the flow of the water, while providing the sense of security with earthy textures, and the encounter of a downward tunnel to the office space below. The library brings people in with a ramp sloping down into the landscape. The bookcase forms the central circulation, and illuminates from the back just like how the accumulated knowledge from the field makes us feel. The library is more compressed in space which contrasts with the open and airy exhibition area to create an unique experience.
Cultivating: Farm as Exploration Platform
Category
Student Design Award
Description
Cultivating: Farm as Exploration Platform
Cave Spring, GA
May 30th, 2022
Winner Status
- Student Design Award
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