AgriLoop
The goal of “AgriLoop” is to develop not just one building but a typology for a hybrid residential/commercial architecture that integrate biointensive gardening and urban agriculture. The formal, spatial and material characteristics of individual buildings would vary to suit their particular locations (climate, microclimate, local zoning, site constraints, building orientation, etc.). The building shown here is just one example for a particular site. The ultimate goal is to create a complete productive cycle, where food and other plant matter can be grown and consumed by residents or others, or sold in the market space provided, along with other community garden yields from the surrounding neighborhood. Compost from resident's kitchens is used in a systematic way to provide nutrients for the gardens.
The building integrates many sustainable features including a gravity-based rainwater/greywater irrigation system, and takes advantage of natural heating, cooling and ventilation. The residential units feature operable windows on all four sides of every unit, geothermal radiant hydronic heating, and air and light flow through the body of the building is enabled through its porous organization. Passive solar principles are deployed throughout, supplemented by active solar through photovoltaic systems integrated with shading devices and cladding panels. A green roof and walls are primary features, and landscape and vegetal elements are essential components of the building fabric.
The building is bicycle and pedestrian friendly: lots of secure bike parking spaces are provided, and one can ride their bike up the inner promenade to their apartment and/or to the roof garden/park. The building integrates a variety of social spaces to encourage community building and invite the participation (casual or otherwise) of the general public. An inner courtyard “street” and promenade leads to a rooftop park and garden with a cafe. public programs, Other gathering spaces and play areas are provided throughout. Daycare and other possible programs providing social benefit are included.
The promotion of gardening cultures in Vancouver can provide a healthy food source, a means to reconnect to nature, and a way to build community and stimulate local economic activity and diversity. In this case the activity of gardening and resulting spatial and material effects mingle with public activities such as the market, garden and park spaces to create an intriguing urban mixture. This approach is seen as both a remedial device for the contemporary city and as a contribution to a body of organizing principles for a new ecological urbanism.
(From competitor's text)
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