The Alex Community Food Centre
Client The Alex Community Food Centre
Location Calgary | Alberta | Canada
In early 2016, O2 Planning + Design was proud to offer pro-bono landscape architectural services to the Alex Community Food Centre for the development of their community garden.
Community Food Centre’s focus on food insecurity, health and social isolation issues through a variety of programs. Together, O2 and the Alex are working to grow healthy, accessible food, while fostering a sense of community in the city.
O2 used the ecological principles of nature as a framework for the design. This is integral to creating an agriculturally productive, economically just social system, and one that is diverse, stable, and resilient. Central to the design is an active public plaza, inspired by aerial imagery of Southern Alberta’s agricultural patterns.
Emerging from these patterns are accessible raised planting beds and seating options which create a framework for an engaging space in which to grow healthy food and strengthen social capital.
Raised planting beds provide a great opportunity to grow and learn about a wide variety of foods while accommodating all physical abilities. Providing resources such as gardening tools, cooking tools, or culinary and gardening books encourages visitors to continue food education in their own homes.
Vertical gardening, an innovative approach to urban agriculture, makes the most of the available space. By using the fence, a trellis, and the building facade as a growing space, yields are increased and a beautiful growing and social space is created.
Sustainability in maintenance and use is also essential for the Alex. Rain barrels, mulch and ‘community-sourced water’ can reduce water usage on site and cut down on maintenance costs.
By providing bike parking, visitors are encouraged to access the centre however best suits them. Similarly, by optimizing the location of the green house and collecting rain water, foods can be grown that take very little energy and resources to produce.
