THE MILKY WHEY
by Rukhsar Zahid
The Milky Whey is focused on reclaiming the concrete surface of the former Coryton Refinery for agricultural use. This village addresses the challenges of conventional dairy farming practices and promotes a sustainable alternative to petrol-based materials. Inspired by historic uses of casein, found in milk, to produce milk fibre and modern innovation to repurpose discarded whey from the dairy industry, the programme of the Milky Whey encourages the holistic use of waste, such as milk and dung to produce bioplastics, whey insulation foam and dung based bio-bricks. The village offers opportunities for cows and calves destined for slaughter to be sheltered in an automated Hide. In this typical earth-covered barn in the Milky Whey, manufacturing and cow functions meet. The inner half is dedicated to the life of the cattle whilst the external areas fronting the roads are occupied for manufacturing functions. The Hide takes the form of a vaulted brick roof structure which spans across the width of the hide to support the wild biodiversity in the green landscape above The milking carousel at the centre of each Hide enables humans and cattle to interact, exchange produce and work co-operatively to maintain and support the growth of the village.
