elmslie osler architect: harlem community rooftop farm

‘harlem community rooftop farm’ by elmslie osler architect, new york city, USA all images courtesy elmslie osler architect

new york-based practice elmslie osler architect  has created ‘harlem community rooftop farm’, a winning entry for the by the city / for the city urban design week competition where local designers were asked to create an urban improvement in new york city, USA. various citizens were asked to complete the phrase "wouldn’t it be great if…" and then entrants were challenged to include the collected observations and suggestions. this design addresses the desire for opportunities to farm and cultivate fresh food within the urban landscape. positioned in harlem along 126th street, a wide and publicly accessible stair leads from the busy street to a converted roofscape above the existing citarella.

entrance to the garden

a reclaimed redwood deck shaded with small fruit trees awaits visitors and gradually slopes downward to create stepped seating to allow observation of 125th street. plants may be grown either in planter boxes or along the southwest elevation of the adjacent building. panels of stainless steel generate the vertical farming wall which covers the entire surface of the exposed facade. the green space would provide a gathering space which fosters social interaction along with improved health and cleaner air.

night view of the garden

aerial view

site plan