Matthew Connolly
University of Auckland
New Zealand/Aotearoa
This project stands on three primary pillars – ecology, heritage and social – and seeks to tie these aspects together in creating a supermarket-scaled food market, processing and selling produce from the surrounding landscape to feed the local population. The scheme critiques New Zealand’s current food production model which focuses primarily on export and large business centralisation resulting in poorer food quality and higher prices locally. Utilising aspects of sustainability, land use and economic strategy, the project is a complete package with the architecture being a vehicle for the larger system.
The project strives to achieve new harmony and positive collective future for the community in Northland, New Zealand, which is currently struggling culturally and financially. It looks to utilise rich geology of the chosen site in Te Waimate North, creating opportunities for employment, income and a positive future for this region. Using over 700 acres of high class growing soil, this research showed that it would be possible to feed the immediate population of 20,000 people from that land alone. This regional approach counters the centralisation of supermarkets, retaining employment, produce and profits in the region.