GRO 330

Project Type: Educational (ARCH202)

Project Timeline: January 9, 2017 - February 24, 2017

Project Brief: "This project spans the range of the problem to look at a new typology, ‘food hub’. The project demands that you research and engage with the questions of food culture, food security, food equity and food miles in a rigorous way and for you to produce a program for the community of Minneapolis and the neighborhood. The program should be a vehicle for understanding food culture, now in 2017, and what food culture could be in Minneapolis in the future."

Project Location:

The GRO 330 logo reflects the verticality of my food hub project. "GRO" (short for 'Grow') represents the growing not only of food but also relationships and the community, as well as the project's ability to grow in the future. "330" represents the street address being the thing that is growing, as my project acts as a stimulus of interaction between the different social classes in the area.

My concept involved several physical components such as growing, commerce, community space, education, as well as a social program. I worked through a great number of iterations to carefully place different aspects of my concept in a way that would accomplish my social program, which was to encourage interaction between different social classes.

GRO 330 transforms a surface parking lot in the warehouse district into a floating oasis just blocks from Target Field and from Downtown Minneapolis. Inside, members of the community ascend through modular masses which house educational centers, restaurants, office space, etc. above these interior spaces are garden plots. These garden plots and other modules create communal spaces in which all walks of life can interact.

Community garden plots, steps to next level, and integrated seating

The garden plots can be reserved by community members who may not be able to provide food or money for themselves or their families.

Looking into the library

In the educational centers classes are offered to teach people how to properly grow food, preserve food, etc. In addition classes are also offered to users who are unemployed or are looking to further their careers to enable them to achieve more.

Inside the restaurant, looking out to patio

The food individuals of the community grow is theirs to do with as they please. If they grow more than they need, they have the option to sell select items to the high end restaurant at GRO 330. Here, business executives and other members of the community can use a table top device to learn more about GRO 330 like who grew the food they are eating, menu items, and how they can get involved.

Exterior view, food truck event

GRO 330 looks for individuals with business and professional experience to teach classes to other community members. In addition, the ground floor of GRO 330 is open space, almost extending the streets and sidewalks inside to invite neighbors in. Food truck events to small concerts to farmers' markets can be hosted in this area.

Section

Site Plan (ground floor plan)

Images from project

(Above images in addition to other graphics and photos, including process work)

Click an image to open the viewer.