Project Name: West Oakland Design/Build Chicken Tractor
Project type:
5) architecture
Project Mission/Goal:
2) increase awareness of the environment and/or address climate change
Project Description:
The project mission is to create a situation where we could harness the strength of design and apply it to a project to improve the lives of people living in a dense urban setting. Being awarded a grant from the City of Oakland and partnering with City Slicker Farms in West Oakland we determined that our program would be one related to food security, sustainability, education and self-sufficiency. Out of this, the chicken tractor workshop emerged.
A chicken tractor is a mobile chicken coop with an open bottom that integrates into a dynamic backyard gardening system. Because the bottom is open, it allows the chickens to peck at the seeds and insects while also fertilizing the ground underneath. When it comes time to move the tractor to another spot, the area where it was previously now has enriched soil. Of course fresh, delicious and super local eggs are the icing on the cake.
The design approach was a collaborative one in which each participant was able to set the criteria for the overall design. Everyone made drawings and sketches and contributed to the dialogue. When we agreed upon a design, we then moved into construction, where we were able to share our building skills and see our design become a reality. Not only will the participants have a one of a kind, completely free chicken tractor to take home with them, they will also have the basic design and construction skills to take on future projects of interest.
Links:
http://chickentractorproject.wordpress.com/
http://www.justfinedesignbuild.com/
Project Details:
Location: West Oakland
Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): Matt Wolpe, Fatimah Guienze
Project Architect(s):
Year (s): 2009
Client:
User Client:
Number of beneficiaries/users: 7
Project Phase: compeleted
Major Funding: City of Oakland
Cost/Cost per unit: $250
Area (if applicable):
Structural Engineers:
Electrical/Mechanical Engineers:
Contractor/Manufacturer:
Additional Consultants:
Other:
Nominated by Meghan Dorrian
