THE COMFORT FOOD PROJECT
by Julie Beech
The Comfort Food Project sets out to regenerate people and place by collectively transforming a spacious disused bus garage into a multi-functional urban farm and homeless women’s residential support centre that revolves around growing, cooking and eating food. The centre, which inhabits the decommissioned Stamford Hill Bus Garage, would provide a safe and comfortable environment; connection to a supportive community; and self-development and training opportunities that empower – including a series of live-build workshops during the construction phase. The turning circle of buses was used to inform the design of the interior walls and spaces within the huge building, Colourful pods punctuate the space and link the ground floor community areas to the urban farm on the first floor. The main materials used are rammed earth, hand-made terracotta ‘Jali’ bricks and unique colourful ceramics reflecting the design strategy of bringing nature in.
