+FARM 2011 by Gia Wolff

Remind me

+FARM is an architecture student design program that uses direct learning through hands on experience.

We've had an amazing kick start. In only 7 days 42 backers helped us achieve our BARE BONES goal, and just a few days later even more backers helped us meet our SKIN ON THE BONES goal!

We are now back from an exciting week at the farm and are looking forward to an exhibition of the project in a NY Gallery this October. If you still would like to back our project, we are now shooting for some MEAT ON THE BONES and hope to achieve $4,500 before August 14!

+FARM is a summer design and build program specifically for architecture students. It is founded on a principle of direct learning through hands on design and construction experience. Located on a farm, the students will learn about “direct design” by observation and the physical act of making a movable Chicken Coop and restoring an old farm house to be later used as an artist colony and hunter's house.

www.directinstitute.org

BACKGROUND

+FARM is Peter Dorsey, John Hartmann, Sarah Haskas, William Haskas, and Gia Wolff. We are a collective group of educators and designers that together bring diverse ingredients, different specialties and backgrounds; working toward coherent collaborative solutions. Each member’s experience adds a necessary and dynamic component to the complex design / agricultural equation.

WHAT EXACTLY DO FARMERS HAVE TO DO WITH ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS?

This project is developed around a reciprocal relationship between the students and the community and is intended to benefit both groups equally. The students will gain valuable experience working with a real client and budget to diagnose and solve actual problems with tangible results. They will be exposed to emerging currents of ecological engagement and encouraged toward a forward thinking approach. The community will take part in the design process and benefit from a fresh thinking of historically entrenched agricultural solutions.

CITY KIDS WORKING ON A FARM, HUH?

The project is a charrette, which is a short and intensive working period typical of architectural studios. The students will begin by drawing and modeling a design for a chicken coop based on the needs of the farmers. Construction mock ups will be conducted to test the material properties and connection joints of the mesh fabric and dimensional lumber. At the end of the week long session, we will have an unveiling of the final built Chicken Coop to the farmers, various community people who have shown interest in the project, as well as to a select group of professional architects.

While the farm is an opportunity for the students to learn about where their food comes from, the students bring innovation and design to the farm - helping to increase the farm productivity.

OUR FIRST YEAR DOING THIS

2011 is our pilot program that seeks to analyze, invent, and build value by improving the farm’s daily operations. The students will be asked to document the project through drawings, models, photography, and create a small publication which will be on view at an architecture gallery space in New York in October, 2011. By providing a platform that brings together design students and farmers, our program seeks to build a stronger relationship between farm life and urban life.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO NEXT (and how you can help)

Because this is our first summer for +FARM, we have offered the program free of charge to the students who were adventurous and curious enough to sign up.

The contributions through this fundraising campaign will help offset costs for the program such as materials, room and board and the insurance and allows the students an opportunity to build their first house.

OUR GOALS

Getting through this summer has been a huge hurdle and we are all working very hard to make it happen. We have hit a few bumps in the road, but overall our collective spirit and diligent planning has made everything this far a fun and productive effort.

Our goal for the future of +FARM is to establish non-profit status and have the program completely funded by grants and fellowships. Now that we have established ourselves and will move forward with this summer's project of the movable chicken coop, we know what we need to do for next year. Your support to help us through this year will put us at an incredible advantage for meeting our goals for next year.

We want to thank you for your support of our project and hope that you are able to contribute in whatever way is comfortable for you.

We look forward to sharing our project after the 2011 +FARM summer is completed!