Located on the East Boston waterfront, “Barns & Silos” involved designing a greenhouse and community center that emphasizes environmental and cultural reciprocity with the site. Given the neighborhood’s status as a food desert, the design prioritizes spaces for a community market, test kitchen, and restaurant to address local food access needs.
The building’s organization responds to several key site access points, including stairways from the neighborhood, park paths, and docks, resulting in a cross-shaped plan that aligns with these natural axes.
Traditional barn and silo typologies inspired the building’s form, reimagining these rural structures within an urban context. The two primary barn-like volumes house the main programmatic spaces, while the silo elements serve auxiliary functions, such as mechanical cores or simple lookout points.
The design creates four distinct courtyards, each holding a unique relationship with the community and environment. These spaces explore a dynamic interplay of openness, public engagement, productivity, and natural light.
