BACKWARDS TO GO FORWARD

This urban farm in Syracuse, NY, addresses the pressing agricultural and energy crises while responding to the community’s lack of access to healthy, locally grown food. Situated near a waste management plant and one of the largest shopping malls in the country, the project integrates sustainable farming techniques—such as aquaponics, hydroponics, and aeroponics—into an interactive, user-friendly environment. The farm operates as a hybrid space, blending food production with education and community engagement. Programs include cooking class kitchens, a farm-to-table restaurant, and an aquaponic fishing pond sustaining a Tilapia population. Inspired by the structure of a fish skeleton, the form reflects efficiency and interconnectedness, while its operations draw from the sustainable agricultural traditions of the Onondaga tribe. Vertical spaces interlock and mirror, creating a maze-like journey that immerses users in every aspect of urban farming.