Andy Failor

Get Big or Get Out:

Urban Farming Futures Creating an Urban Farming Network for the city of Detroit, Michigan

Andy Failor

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Abstract The current state of farming is neither sustainable nor economical. The economic pressure to produce a surplus of goods stems from the 1970s mantra to “get big or get out”. This strenuous effort to constantly produce “more” has created a monoculture of farming that relies heavily on polluting machinery and forces plant growth through a stream of chemicals and genetic modifications. The environmental implications of this exhaustive mega-farming method results in quick degradation of the soil necessary for growing, and farmers are running out of new places to grow. With a growing population, it can be understood that farming of this scale must be maintained to feed such high numbers, although the industrial farms of the United States are subsidized in a way that promotes the growing of corn, soybean, wheat, and other heavily processed foods.

Alternative farming methods should then be considered to allow for a diversification of crops, a more sustainable relationship with natural cycles, and the widespread access to affordable and quality produce. New methods of growing that are gaining popularity include soilless indoor growing, such as aquaponic and aeroponic systems. These indoor systems will replace outdoor seasonal growing, which also will look to be optimized through pixel cropping. These methods of farming achieve great success at the personal level, and require little agricultural knowledge, thus paving the way for families to again become farmers.

With the size of farm field decreasing, and productivity increasing, the farm can move to more dense areas creating a new urban condition that can be explored architecturally. By rejecting the normative approach to modern farming and accepting a localized and collaborative approach to agriculture, the city can function as a productive hub without sacrificing the comforts of modern living or the social benefits of urban proximity. The architectural response looks to cohesively join living, growing, and social spaces into the heart of Detroit, Michigan. This agenda corresponds with the three main issues facing the food system and farms: producing food for a growing population, the liveliness and wellbeing of farmers, and the protection of the environment, all resulting in a new urban farming network.

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A new urban condition can be created by modernizing the current approach to farming.

The city can become a productive hub with a localized food system without sacrificing the social benefits of urban proximity.

Within this model, food becomes a more secure resource, the environment is better considered, and anyone is capable of producing.

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ers are Male age 55

The Problem with Farming e Problem with Farming The Problem with Farming

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THREE YEAR CROP ROTATION CYCLE Wheat may often be removed from this cycle, or planted during every other rotation. In this case, the cover crop or tilling period is reduced, and the cycle becomes a two-year system rather than 3.

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5,000 Of the 2.04 million farms ocus on producing either fruits r vegetables.

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focus on producing either fruits or vegetables.

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eef is the most popular farm ommodity followed by oils and ▪ 135,000 rains, and hay.Of the 2.04 million farms

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135,000 Of the 2.04 million farms ▪ Beef is▪ the most popular farm focus on producing either fruits commodity followed by oils and or vegetables. grains, and hay.

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grains, and hay.

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How do they Farm? What sho W How dothey they Farm?

How do Farm?

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AverageAverage FarmFarm sizesize 441 ▪ Acres 85,000 outout ofof ▪ Farms 85,000 Farms 2.04 million account 2.04 million account foris57% of allpopular farmland ▪ Beef the most farm for 57% of all farmland commodity followed by oils and Acres

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Average Farm size ▪ 85,000 Farms out of 2.04 million account for 57% of all farmland

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butare operate at afarms larger scale 6% Of farms family • Farmers earned $32,217 ut operate at a larger scale per year • Most farmers live in: rmers earned $32,217 per year ▪ Texas ost farmers live in: ▪ Missouri Texas ▪ Iowa Missouri ▪ Ohio ▪ Oklahoma Iowa Ohio Oklahoma

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he farm Who Farms? o Farms?

Who Farms? re family farms 64% Ofare farmers are Male 4% Of• farmers Male a larger scale • 62% Are over age 55 % Are over age 55 • 95.4% White d per year 5.4%$32,217 White • 74% Live on the farm % in: Live farmare family farms ve • on 86%the Of farms

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WEEKLY VEGETABLES (17.5

THREE YEAR CROP ROTATION CYCLE THREE YEAR CROP CYCLE Wheat mayROTATION often be removed from this cycle, or planted du Wheat may often be removed from this cycle, or planted during every other rotation.

In this case, the cover crop or tilling period is r other rotation. In CHILDREN this case, ADULTS the coverSENIORS crop or tilling period is reduced, and (65+) rather system (20-64) (2-19) DAILY INTAKE the cycle becomes a system two-year rather than 3. the cycle becomes a two-year than 3.

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What do we Eat?

ADDED SUGARS (TSP): DISCRETIONARY FATS (G): DISCRETIONARY OILS (G): DAIRY (CUPS): FRUIT (CUPS): TOTAL VEGETABLES (CUPS): POTATOES: TOMATOES: RED AND ORANGE: DARK GREEN: DAILY INTAKE TOTAL GRAINS (OZ): REFINED GRAINS: ADDED SUGARS (TSP): WHOLE GRAINS: DISCRETIONARY FATS (G): PROTEIN FOODS (OZ):

16.05 17.18 33.73 36.00 22.93 29.65 1.94 1.54 0.96 0.91 0.90 1.57 0.30 0.37 0.20 0.28 0.06 0.10 0.06CHILDREN 0.17 6.75 (2-19) 6.57 5.88 16.05 5.68 0.87 0.89 33.73 4.15 6.60

12.73 32.33 23.88 1.32 1.05 1.49 0.35 0.27 0.09 ADULTS 0.16 (20-64) 5.48 4.41 17.18 1.07 36.00 5.26

What do we Eat?

What do wewe Eat?Eat? What do CHILDREN

22.93 29.65 DISCRETIONARY OILS (G): (2-19) DAILY INTAKE 1.94 1.54 DAIRY (CUPS): 2,000 Calorie Diet is the 16.05 ADDED Recommended 0.91 Daily FRUIT (CUPS):SUGARS (TSP): 0.96 Intake DAILY CALORIC INTAKE 33.73 0.90 1.57 TOTAL VEGETABLES (CUPS):FATS (G): DISCRETIONARY BUTTER Roughly 340 Sticks of 0.30 0.37 POTATOES: 85 LBS. AND OIL 22.93 Butter (Almost 1 per DISCRETIONARY OILS (G): CORN 0.20 day) 0.28 TOMATOES: 42 LBS. SYRUP 1.94 DAIRY (CUPS): 0.06 0.10 RED AND ORANGE: HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN AMERICA 0.06 0.17 DARK GREEN: 0.96 FRUIT (CUPS): 6.75 6.57 TOTAL GRAINS (OZ): 1,996 LBS. OF FOOD CONSUMED YEARLY BY AMERICANS OR THE EQUIVALENT 0.90 TOTAL VEGETABLES (CUPS): 5.88 5.68 GRAINS: OF ONEREFINED AMERICAN BISON WORTH OF WEIGHT 0.87 0.89 WHOLE GRAINS: 0.30 POTATOES: 4.15 6.60 PROTEIN FOODS (OZ):

1,996 lbs.

TOMATOES:

RED AND ORANGE: DARK GREEN: TOTAL GRAINS (OZ): lbs.

1,996

REFINED GRAINS: WHOLE GRAINS: PROTEIN FOODS (OZ):

2,700

SENIORS (65+) 12.73 ADULTS 32.33 23.88 (20-64) 1.32 1.05 17.18 1.49 36.00 0.35 29.65 0.27 0.09 1.54 0.16 0.91 5.48 4.41 1.57 1.07 0.37 5.26

0.20 0.28 0.06 0.10 2,000 Calorie Diet is the Recommended Daily 0.17 0.06 Intake DAILY CALORIC INTAKE 6.75 6.57 BUTTER Roughly 340 Sticks of 85 LBS. AND OIL 5.88 Butter (Almost 1 per 5.68 CORN day) 42 LBS. 0.87SYRUP 0.89 HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN 4.15 AMERICA 6.60

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1,996 LBS. OF FOOD CONSUMED YEARLY BY AMERICANS OR THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE AMERICAN BISON WORTH OF WEIGHT

1,996 lbs.

2,700

DAILY CALORIC INTAKE

WEEKLY PROTEIN (38.5 O

SENIORS (65+) 12.73 32.33 23.88 1.32 1.05 1.49 0.35 0.27 0.09 0.16 5.48 4.41 1.07 5.26 2,000 Calorie Diet is the Recommended Daily Intake

Roughly 340 Sticks of 85 LBS. BUTTER AND OIL Butter (Almost 1 per CORN 42 LBS. SYRUP day) HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN AMERICA

1,996 LBS. OF FOOD CONSUMED YEARLY BY AMERICANS OR THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE AMERICAN BISON WORTH OF WEIGHT

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What should we Eat?

What should we Eat?

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YEARLY TOTALS:

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CUPS FRUIT

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912.5 730 2,190 1,095 2,008 9,855

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CUPS VEGETABLES CUPS FRUIT OUNCES GRAIN CUPS DAIRY OUNCES PROTEIN GRAMS OILS

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1.5 Cups Dark Greens

SEASONAL GROWING

1.5 Cups Beans/ Lentils or Peas 4 Cups “Other” 5.5 Cups Red Orange 5 Cups Starchy Vegetables

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WEEKLY VEGETABLES (17.5 CUPS)

5 Ounces of Nuts/ Seeds and Soy 8 Ounces of Seafood 26 Ounces of Meat/ Poultry and Eggs

WEEKLY PROTEIN (38.5 OZ.)

Minimum 3 Ounces Whole Grains

FALL Apples Bananas Beets Bell peppers Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celery Collard greens Cranberries Garlic Ginger Grapes Green beans Herbs Kale Kiwifruit Lemons Lettuce Limes Mangos Mushrooms Onions Parsnips Pears Peas Pineapples Potatoes Pumpkin Radishes Raspberries Rutabagas Spinach Sweet potatoes Swiss chard Turnips Winter squash

WINTER Apples Avocados Bananas Beets Brussels sprouts Cabbage Carrots Celery Collard greens Grapefruit Herbs Kale Kiwifruit Leeks Lemons Limes Onions Oranges Parsnips Pears Pineapples Potatoes Pumpkin Rutabagas Sweet potatoes Swiss chard Turnips Winter squash Yams

SPRING Apples Apricots Asparagus Avocados Bananas Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Celery Collard greens Garlic Herbs Kale Kiwifruit Lemons Lettuce Limes Mushrooms Onions Peas Pineapples Radishes Rhubarb Spinach Strawberries Swiss chard Turnips

SUMMER Apples Apricots Avocados Bananas Beets Bell peppers Blackberries Blueberries Cantaloupe Carrots Celery Cherries Corn Cucumbers Eggplant Garlic Green beans Herbs Honeydew melon Lemons Lima beans Limes Mangos Okra Peaches Plums Raspberries Strawberries Summer squash Tomatillos Tomatoes Watermelon Zucchini

Maximum 3 Ounces Refined Grains

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How did we get Here?

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Events Summarized

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Innovation in the Field Traditional Farming

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Strip Farming

Pixel Farming

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Close-Looped Indoor Farming

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Detroit, Michigan Corresponding with a mass exodus of the countryside and a failing automotive industry Detroit’s population decreased from near 2 million in tihe 1950’s, to under 700,000 presently.

The issue at hand is that Detroit is aging and shrinking, resulting in poorly managed infrastructure and not enough tax dollars to make the improvements necessary.

To feed all of Detroit on a vegetarian diet, 90.75 Square miles would be required with traditional farming methods in mind.

The highlighted area indicates the focus of this thesis as a means of re-imagining the true urban core of the city and attempting to create additional density in a sprawling yet empty city.

The farming network is modeled after natural ecology were species in nature thrive off hub and corridor conditions. This allows access to all resources without exhausting any one location and creates a security blanket in times of drought or other environmental change.

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The Network

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The Plan

Centered around productive urban farming, the web of program creates opportunity for living, social ammenities, and further distribution beyond the hub to ensure equal accessibility and a continous urban living condition despite the hyper-productivity of the site.

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Maximum Productivity Blanket the Site in 3 Stories of Hydroponics

Height Variants Allow Roof to become habitable and break-up roof line of the block

Extrude and Subtract Break Up Large Massing with obstacles

Circulate Multi-Leveled Public Space both Interior and exterior

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FORM DIAGRAM

The Form

The norther portion of the site is filled with a continous massing that sybolizes productive indoor farming space. The roof plane is then manipulated to produce picturesque rolling hills reminiscent of the countryside. These hills range from 1 to 3 stories in height to break up the lengthy building facades and also dip to the ground plane to allow for public access. The rooftop becomes productive pixel farming and houses 90 housing units, as well as retail and commercial spaces. A large research tower extrudes through the roof plane while the fish pond necessary for aquaponics is sunken into the roof and is visible from underneath. Along with being productive, the ground floor features a market place that allows for immediate access to the fresh produce grown. This dual circulation feeds into the long, linear parkscape that is both leisurely and productive. The park features the likes of sports courts and open lawn, as well as more farming plots, orchards, and an education center fit with greenhouses.

SITE AXON

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18” 2” 6”

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Ground Floor 24”

Roof Plan L-Shape Perforated Profile

ROOF PLAN Scale 1:50”

ROOF DETAIL 1/2” = 1’0”

Mass Timber Beam

Timber-Concrete Composite Structural Flooring

Reinforced Fabric

PVC Root Barrier

Protective Membrane

Plastic Water Drainage Panel

Filter Membrane

Water Retention Mineral Wool

Light Weight Growth Medium

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GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:50

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OVERLAPPING CHUNK AXONO 26

G PROGRAM OMETRIC

An Urban Condition

This chunk axon begins to show the inter-related conditions that occur within the hub. The ground floor features market space and an upper level food hall.

These spaces have direct visual access to the water systems and fish pond, as well as the aquaponic stacks where their food is being grown and produced. This creates a level of intimacy with food and humans that currently does not exist as we don’t give much thought to where our food comes from. These ideas can be explored and later implemented at home through the use of an at-home facade kit.

The roof plane features much of the same elements. A housing block that has ground floor maker-space and is surrounded by pixel farming plots and orchard space. These levels of production and social space overlap and intertwine creating a dense urban context that is still open and green.

Below is a diagram of how the water system operates from start to finish.

06 Wastewater exits the

aquaponic stacks and returns to storage tanks to be re-filtered

01 Rainwater is collected from rooftop funnels

02 Rainwater is stored in tanks until it can be filtered

03 Water is filtered through

this living machine before entering the fish tank

04 Water circulates the fish tank gaining essential nutrients

05 Nutrient enhanced

water flows through the aquaponic stacks

CLOSED-LOOP WATER DIAGRAM

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Elevations

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SOUTH ELEVATION 1:16

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EAST ELEVATION 1:16

EAST ELEVATION 1:16

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WEST ELEVATION 1:16

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WEST ELEVATION 1:16

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16’ CROSS -0’ SECTION 1:16

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CROSS - SECTION 1:16

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MULTI FAMILY HOUSING AND RETAIL/ WORKSHOPS

GROUND FLOOR

PRODUCTIVE PIXEL FARMING ROOFTOP

GROUND FLOOR

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DINING AREA

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RESEARCH CENTER

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FISH POND

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OPEN-AIR MARKET

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SEED LIBRARY AND NURSERY

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FOOD PROCESSING AND SHIPPING

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ROOF ACCESS STAIRS

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WATER STORAGE TOWERS

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LOADING DOCK

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EXPLODED AXON 1:32

Hubs and Corridors

The final design element to this proposal includes the at-home facade kits. These kits look to cash in on the opportunity presented by having a large quantity of housing projects that feature similar or identical facades. By taking these facades and tacking on an at-home growing station it both creates an element of individuality to each facade as well as freshens up a now dated exterior in most instances.

A majority of these housing projects are home to low-income or incomecapped residences so fresh produce is not always available to communities of this economic status. Although the hub and storefronts would be within walking distance, providing an at home solution creates an airtight network of accessibility for all residents. Any produce grown at home is meant to be consumed by the home and based off of the square footage of productive space it is feasible to imagine that 50% of yearly recommended produce intake could be grown on these facades.

The kits are intended to be relatively cheap in cost and easy to install by an average unskilled laborer. The kit includes hydroponic stacks, rainwater catchment capabilities and traditional soil planters. Many of these housing projects have awkward front lawn spaces that would also be a rich ground for pixel farming.

To the left is an exploded axon of the hub which further details the spaces and conditions above and below.

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TYPICAL MODULE EXISTING

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TYPICAL MODULE WITH FACADE KITS 34

Gutter bridging old and new roofs

Door to replace 2nd floor window

Simple timber structure

Raised Soil Planters with storage

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Grow at Home

Hydroponic Stacks

Rainwater Collection Barrel Pixel farming plot

AT-HOME FACADE KIT CORNERSTONE ESTATES 35

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Views

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RETAIL CORNER PERSPECTIVE

CORNERSTONE ESTATES PERSPECTIVE

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MIDTOWN APPROACH PERSPECTIVE

ROOFTOP PERSPECTIVE

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