The Grocery Gap

Co-Living + Farmer’s Market

3rd Year Studio | USC Fall 2020

For millions of Americans—especially those living in low-income communities— accessing healthy food is a challenge. Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other vendors cannot be found in their neighborhoods. What can be found instead are convenience stores and chain fast food restaurants that mainly sell cheap, high-fat, high-sugar, processed foods.

Located adjacent to McDonald’s parking lot, my project aims to lure prospective fast food eaters away into a place offering healthier food alternatives. In contrast to these restaurants where the ingredients are mass produced in large factories, my housing project incorporates a farmer’s market. In return, this provides employment for the residents and others in the neighborhood, supporting the local economy.

My project particularly aims to meet the housing needs of single parents with children and senior residents in Leimert Park through a shared housing scheme creating a mutually beneficial community which allows them to learn, socialize, and share the same experience while living together. I drew inspiration from the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child,” wherein interactions within an entire community allow children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. As such, my project places an importance in shared outdoor balcony spaces for children to play while being looked after by other occupants.

Reflection
Reflecting on this project, I see it as a manifestation of my belief in architecture as a tool for societal change. This initiative, set beside a fast-food chain in Leimert Park, demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform communities. By integrating a farmers' market into the housing scheme, the project addressed not only the scarcity of healthy food options but also boosted local employment, reinforcing community ties. It exemplifies my approach to my works: creating solutions that are not just structurally sound, but also socially conscious and empathetic. This project underscores my commitment to leveraging architectural design to resolve complex community challenges.