THE CARBON FARMHOUSE AND CARNIVAL COLLECTIVE

In Maida Vale, London, 2070 cars are no longer privately owned and instead operate only as an electric hybrid, self-driven public transport system running on biofuel. Obsolete road-side parking is converted to cultivation of “Ideal Crop” technology, supercharging the carbon cycle of the area. The Carbon Farmhouse is a community hub for the new neighbourhood typology, exhibiting a return to farming on Old St Peter’s Park. It provides germination laboratories, a Headquarters workshop space for The Compost/Recycling Champions for The City of Westminster and a Zero Waste Shop selling the harvested produce from the neighbourhood. Using performance as an architectural intervention on old Maida Hill market the project seeks to supports the Afro-Caribbean community in their preparation for Notting Hill Carnival. It aims to create accountable internal organisation and function as a binding agent disseminating pride and vibrancy. In alliance with the carnival itself it will deliver events and training of immense value both culturally and economically and protect black spaces. During the winter, internal spaces host steel pan, sound system and carnival costume making spaces and in the build up to carnival a landscape of demountable angular seating encourages celebration and exchange.