Food Connect

Fig: 1 - The definition and physical boundaries of a home has come a long way (Credits-Luke Stackpoole)

PREMISE

Homes are one of the most fundamental designs that hold a large amount of individual importance. Since ancient times, the first thing that humans designed was the shelter, built to bring about safety and security against the environment. 

The beginning of major parts of civilisation began with housing. Today, architecture has developed the concept of a home completely. Technological innovations have changed how we perceive our living spaces. Years back the main focus of our homes was our ‘Living Room’. The space was used for social interaction/gathering and played a vital role in celebrating different functions. But with time this focal point of our living spaces has shifted radically. 

Today with the increase in technological advancements, globalisation, economy, urban development and many factors the population has inclined towards an individual or nuclear living. The percentage of common, shared activities has reduced, which with time has eliminated the focus on the living room space. Now the activities which we perform together have changed considerably; causing the paradigm of home shift. 

How has the transition of this focal point changed and how have we evolved our spaces with it? 

Fig: 2 - From joint families to living alone or in nuclear families are living as well as means of socializing inside a house has reduced, how can we make it relevant in today’s times?  (Credits-Juan Ordonez)

RECONNECTING OVER FOOD 

While in the nuclear way of living, social gatherings and common activities are reduced to a few, the major reason for gathering today is for meals when all the members of a family/friend circle come together in one space.     

Food has now become the new focal point, where all the food processes now bind the fabric of a home together. These processes are majorly carried out in three sections: production - preparation and consumption and each of these processes is performed in a particular space of the home. For instance, the production process happens in garden areas, the preparation process in the kitchen and consumption in the dining areas. 

While the food production in urban regions is usually directly from the supermarket, can we strive to add and retain the fabric of home together through this elaborate process?  Can we with social interaction between families/friends strive to attain a much healthier home?  

How can we as architects and designers create home designs that are focused on the process of food production that enable and facilitate growth, through social connection and interaction? 

Fig: 3 - Can we highlight the most common aspect of our culture-food-and turn those spaces into something more? (Credits-Edgar Castrejon)

BRIEF OF THE COMPETITION

How can we create homes that will reconnect our close ones with food through innovative home design? 
Can we normalize not only the social meets through food connection but also impart the importance of food through spaces? 
And what architecture design will help in the creation of a food-focused design?

Brief: The aim of this competition is to reimagine the concept of the home design that is focused on the ‘food process’ which will act as a focal point of house design. 

The dwelling may include all basic functions for dwelling, such as kitchen, bathroom and so on. Instead of focusing on designing self-sufficient dwellings, participants are encouraged to create a narrative that describes a supporting system & engagement to fulfil the process of food production and consumption, thereby articulating the relationship between the food  & society.

OBJECTIVES

Inclusion of process: How effectively is the design including the food production process?

Innovation: How is a home design rethought and recreated? 

Binding factor: How is the design acting as a skeleton for connecting the people in families?

Concept: What is the concept and how well is it working? 

PROGRAMMATIC OUTLINE

The programmatic outline is intended for a family of 5 people. Participants are free to assume the scale of the house on lines of practicality and focus of the design challenge.

The space ideas are as follows: 

• Living room: 15%
• Bedroom:  25%
• Common recreational/landscape areas spaces: 10%
• Ancillary and storage spaces: 5%

The other 45% of the areas should focus on Creation areas - Gardens, Preparation areas - Kitchens, Consumption areas - Dining/ open dining spaces.