SHoP Architects urban farm doubles as a cultural hub
by Stu Robarts | 10 Jan 2020
– Lauren Shweder Biel
SHoP Architects has designed an urban farm and cultural hub for Washington, DC, that is aimed at providing an economic driver, a community resource and a space for events.
The Well at Oxon Run is being created for local food justice organisation DC Greens, which sourced a new location following the closure of another urban farm it was running in 2018.
It will see the transformation of an underutilised 50,000sq ft (4,650sq m) area in the city's Oxon Run Park, with the aim of creating a "community oasis".
The farm will have enough space to grow up to 150 varieties of fresh produce, herbs and edible flowers for community use.
Among its features will be vegetable beds, a fence-line farm stand, an orchard and pick-your-own flower gardens,
Among the cultural features will be a library, locally created artworks and a classroom for educational programmes, summer camps and field trips.
There will also be a "memory forest" for DC residents who have been lost to gun violence and a public space called The Porch will provide a place for people to gather and to host events.
Lauren Shweder Biel, executive director of DC Greens, said: "This space will be so much more than a place to grow food - it will be a site that brings together elders and youth around community health and wellness. What we’re collectively building here is a hub for artistic expression, cultural transmission, and community connectedness."
A capital campaign has been launched to support construction of the facility and DC Greens is planning to launch the first growing season in mid-to-late 2020.
SHoP Architects urban farm Washington
The Main Entrance to the farm will feature a farm stand that will serve as an entrepreneurial space for community members
The fence line will feature covered benches, bulletin boards for community notices, and features of local art facing outside the park to the surrounding community
The vegetable gardens will feature 150 varieties of fresh produce, herbs and edible flowers over three seasons each year
This community gathering space will be open at all hours and will feature local art through sculptures, theatre, and dance
The fenceline will feature a Little Free Library for community members to peruse at all park hours
The fence line will feature covered benches, bulletin boards for community notices, and features of local art facing outside the park to the surrounding community
The Youth Garden and Covered Classroom will educate kids about gardening and nutrition and instill the importance of urban agriculture from an early age
The Orchard & Aviary will be home to a variety of fig and persimmon trees and some egg-laying chickens
SHoP Architects has designed an urban farm and cultural hub for Washington, DC, that is aimed at providing an economic driver, a community resource and a space for events. The Well at Oxon Run is being created for local food justice organisation DC Greens, which sourced a new location following the closure of another urban farm it was running in 2018. It will see the transformation of an underutilised 50,000sq
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