Even though open-air markets have existed a disproportionately longer time than supermarkets and other types of grocery stores, there hasn’t been much innovation injected into the vendors’ stands, both in design and functionality.
In response to this, the American Institute of Architects’ Small Project Practitioners knowledge community launched a competition to address the design problem of most farmer’s markets’ tents which are usually lightweight, bland, nondescript white vinyl pop up canopies with portability that, though convenient, demands vendors to get creative when anchoring them to the ground when no stakes are allowed.
The winning designs were presented on Wednesday at the AIA 2014 National Convention and Design Exposition in Chicago.
Submissions were due in March 2014 and judged based on how they complied with design parameters: protecting vendors and produce from elements, easy to carry for one person when disassembled, easy to brand on and cost effective at a $500 budget.
The competition will occur every year in collaboration with the AIA National Convention host city. In accordance to the farmer’s market philosophy of keeping things local, the competitions will also focus on solving a local design dilemma while involving a local non-for-profit which would benefit from the constructed winning design.
Let’s take a look at the winning designs that hopefully will start to pop-up in many of the 8,100 farmers markets nationwide:
(all descriptions by AIA)
1. G Model (Winner) by Bart Shaw, AIA of Bart Shaw Architect
The solution is a simple stable structure that provides elegant protection for a farmers market vendor. The structure provides a platform for custom printed fabric to be wrapped. When transported it serves as a hand truck, so goods and the canopy can be moved simultaneously. This project will be built on the expo floor of the 2014 AIA National Convention and will be donated to the local non-for-profit partner, Growing Home Chicago, for use by their clients and program participants.
2. Box it Up (Honorable Mention) by Robin Osler of EOA/Elmslie Osler Architect, Chris Shelley, Joanna Torres
A series of plywood boxes serve not only as canopy weights, but also as table, stool, and multipurpose display fixtures. The simple box shape offers maximum flexibility as the elements can be stacked and arranged in various configurations depending on the needs of each farmer. Finally, a colorful canopy of re-purposed billboard vinyl provides shelter from the elements.
3. Folding Farm II (Honorable Mention) by Jeffery S. Poss, FAIA of small studio, Illinois School of Architecture, Charles Huss, David Emmons, Jordan Buckner
Folding Farm II (FFII) is a bicycle-powered produce transport vehicle and a deployable farm stand. The FFII’s canvas canopy is collapsed to cover and protect the produce during transport. At the market, the bicycle is disconnected and the bracing bar is swung down to stabilize the cart. Then the canopy is deployed and the produce bins are tilted for display. Ratcheted bracing bars lock the canopy and produce bins into position.
4. Naked (Best Use of Innovative Technology) by Ar. Pragesh Pramod Khanna, Vastu Srajan
Arches ensure the stability of the structure enabling it to withstand around 750lb of wind pressure and velocity calculation of 90miles/hour. The arches utilize fidu science making the design versatile as it converts from a 6" roll of metal strip, with the use of a bicycle air pump, to form the frame of the structure.
Related Stories
| Feb 15, 2012
Fourth-generation Ryan to lead Ryan Companies AE team
Ryan leads a team of eight architects, four civil engineers, two landscape architects and two virtual building specialists in their efforts to realize their customer’s vision and needs through Ryan’s integrated project delivery system.
| Feb 15, 2012
NAHB sees gradual improvement in multifamily sales for boomers
However, since the conditions of the current overall housing market are limiting their ability to sell their existing homes, this market is not recovering as quickly as might have been expected.
| Feb 15, 2012
Skanska secures $87M contract for subway project
The construction value of the project is $261.9 M. Skanska will include its full share, $87 M, in the bookings for Skanska USA Civil for the first quarter 2012.
| Feb 15, 2012
Code allowance offers retailers and commercial building owners increased energy savings and reduced construction costs
Specifying air curtains as energy-saving, cost-cutting alternatives to vestibules in 3,000-square-foot buildings and larger has been a recent trend among consulting engineers and architects.
| Feb 15, 2012
Englewood Construction announces new projects with Destination Maternity, American Girl
Englewood’s newest project for Wisconsin-based doll retailer American Girl, the company will combine four vacant storefronts into one large 15,000 square-foot retail space for American Girl.
| Feb 14, 2012
Angelo State University opens doors to new recreation center expansion
Designed by SmithGroup, the JJR_Center for Human Performance offers enhanced fitness options, dynamic gathering space.
| Feb 14, 2012
SAIC selected for architectural and engineering design services at Lajes Field, Azores
SAIC’s services will include a broad variety of new construction projects and maintenance and repair projects
| Feb 14, 2012
Skanska promotes Aparicio and hires Leintz in Southern California
Aparicio and Leintz are both based in Skanska’s Los Angeles office.
| Feb 14, 2012
The Jackson Laboratory announces Gilbane Building Co. as program manager for Connecticut facility
Gilbane to manage program for new genomic medicine facility that will create 300 jobs in Connecticut.
| Feb 14, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti names Al Hashimi vice president for its Middle East Operations
Al Hashimi is joining the company to help expand Thornton Tomasetti’s business in the region and support clients locally.