Scenario
Successful allotment sites are now producing more than can be eaten by those who work the land. Friendly gestures of giant marrows appearing on neighbour’s doorsteps have reached epidemic proportions. These random vegetables are often discarded by those who receive them and the green footprint is being compromised.
Opportunities to form co-operatives are arising, where produce can be grown, sold and profits re-invested not only to the allotment owners but to the wider community. You are to design an appropriate and innovative ‘live/work’ facility that addresses these issues.
Thorner is a typical rural Yorkshire village in terms of its greenbelt location and its traditional Yorkshire stone buildings.
However with its close proximity to leeds and modern transport facilities this little village has become an ideal place for city professionals who are willing to commute.
When looking at this project as a business i wanted to stay in keeping with the site’s existing use and rural location and so decided to that farming and cultivation was the most suited use. it was clear that due to the size of the site offered the crop chosen for cultivation would need to be either very profitable or high yielding and in both cases would need to be grown all year round.
After researching the different applications crops and plants are used for i decided that the most profitable market to entre was pharmaceuticals.
In choosing a crop i needed something that would be relatively high yielding, commonly used, safe to grow and relatively easy to work into a profitable product. I found that Aloe Vera plats more than met these requirements and decided that this would be the basis for my design.
The aloe plant has played a role in medicine and health care dating as far back as the 4th century B.C. The gel from the inner aloe leaf is a popular ingredient in many skin preparations and cosmetics. Wide aloe vera research and studies has been conducted on the plant and it is now an accomplished fact that aloe vera has multiple properties that are most effective in the treatment of many skin conditions, beauty and cosmetic aliments, hair, as well as other health conditions.
Aloe Vera plants are known as succulents and gather all their nutrients from the ground they then use what are known as Phloem and Xylem tubes which run the length of the leaves to distribute these nutrients. I have in my design used the concept of these Phloem and Xylem with the organically inspired structure seemingly uncontrollably inhabiting the rigid and clinical inner structure, these tubes then go on to form raised growing platforms for the aloe plants. Theses growing platforms progressively step up in a northerly direction giving each row of growing aloe plants an am phi theatre style south facing facade. The raised design means that the existing allotments are able to co-exist with the proposal as the footprint of the building is greatly reduced and ample sunlight is allowed to permeate below throughout the course of the day.
The trays of aloe plants will be cultivated by a simple push of a button which will bring the plants to the grower via a conveyor belt and then be take vertically down try by tray to the recipient waiting at the cultivation tables.
Like Phloem and Xylem tubes the structure of this building will house the pipework from a geothermal heat pump carrying green heat to the main building whilst heating the plant propagation tubes on the way. This means that the outer face of the structure will be warm enough to support grape and jasmine vines which are also commonly used in pharmaceuticals. This will give the outer structure a green wall effect adding to the organic form and bedding the building as a whole into its rural location.
Having done some further research I have found some facts about aloe vera gel;
Most of the population across the world use aloe vera gel in liquid form. Aloe vera gel is an anti-puritic agent because of its ability to relieve itching.
Aloe vera gel is one of the best available natural treatments for first-degree and second-degree sunburns. It not only sooths the affected skin, but also promotes quicker healing.
Aloe vera gel has the ability to increase tissue features from the cellular level and regenerate superior tissue.
Aloe vera gel reduces pain and inflammation as well as accelerates healing.
Aloe vera gel contains properties and substances which are highly beneficial in decreasing itching, swelling, and improving blood circulation and flow to the affected or injured area.
Aloe vera gel can be used in treating cuts, skin abrasions, scrapes, and other minor injuries.
Another of the health benefits of aloe vera gel is its anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties. This makes it very useful for killing off unwanted and harmful microorganisms in the body.
Aloe vera gel acts as a natural cleanser because of the presence of the substance called saponin; people can use aloe vera gel for scalp and hair treatment.
Aloe vera gel can be applied post waxing for soothing, cooling, moisturizing and healing the waxed surface.
Aloe vera gel can be mixed with a few drops of lemon juice or glycerin and used as an after bath lotion to enjoy a refreshing feeling.
Aloe vera gel can be used with mild hair shampoo in an effort to treat hair loss and also condition hair and make it soft and shiny.
Aloe vera gel has the ability to increase tissue features from the cellular level and regenerate superior tissue.
Aloe vera gel reduces pain and inflammation as well as accelerates healing.
Aloe vera gel contains properties and substances which are highly beneficial in decreasing itching, swelling, and improving blood circulation and flow to the affected or injured area.
Aloe vera gel can be used in treating cuts, skin abrasions, scrapes, and other minor injuries.
Another of the health benefits of aloe vera gel is its anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties. This makes it very useful for killing off unwanted and harmful microorganisms in the body.
Aloe vera gel acts as a natural cleanser because of the presence of the substance called saponin; people can use aloe vera gel for scalp and hair treatment.
Aloe vera gel can be applied post waxing for soothing, cooling, moisturizing and healing the waxed surface.
Aloe vera gel can be mixed with a few drops of lemon juice or glycerin and used as an after bath lotion to enjoy a refreshing feeling.
Aloe vera gel can be used with mild hair shampoo in an effort to treat hair loss and also condition hair and make it soft and shiny.
Inspiration
Models
This was my first design for my aloe vera farm. The overall structure worked really well and I was pleased that it was functional as well as being aesthetically interesting.
I wasn't happy with the original design of the house section. I didn’t feel like it portrayed the nature vs science concept I was going for – however the new design incorporates harsh sharp lines with an encased glazed box reminiscent of science labs with the nature aspect of wild plants overtaking and twisting around the building. I wanted to show that any time that anything changes within the environment nature eventually takes over and reclaims it.
sketch model - new design. glass box encased.
Final model of housing quarters.
"Just.Aloe" would be the product name - reinforcing the fact that its pure aloe vera gel that is used with no additives - and I chose black white and green as the main colour palette to keep it simple and up to date.
