By Mary Corrado
Editor
An urban farm program aims to make use of the thousands of vacant lots in Chicago, turning them into productive pieces of land providing organic produce for local residents, farmers markets, and restaurants.
City Farm is the latest project in a city-wide program created by Ken Dunn of the Chicago's Resource Center, a non-profit organization focusing on recycling, composting, and education programs.
Mobile City Farmstead, submitted by DeStefano and Partners, was evaluated for excellence in potential impact, design and research, and then chosen as one of two winning entries in the first annual Chicago Sustainable Design Challenge. The planned site is at the corner of Division and Clybourn avenues, adjacent to the Cabrini-Green housing complex. The design concept, however, can be duplicated on other sites.
The Mobile City Farmstead will provide storage, office, and temporary living space for the newest City Farm. The architectural components consist of salvaged, degradable and easily transportable materials such as shipping containers, chain-link fencing, canvas and straw bales. The idea of mobility is critical so that the urban farm can easily relocate if the site is sold or redeveloped.
To the right is a sketch of the site. |
