set + drift: shopping cart farming
- 23,454 articles
submit a project
publish a project
email
RSS
facebook
twitter- articles
in brief-
in full
- charts
-
this week
-
this month
-
all time
-
-
-
-
set + drift: shopping cart farming
miki iwasaki of mi-workshop builds architecture for the pole bean climbers.
'the farm proper' is a mobile, urban farm under development by interdisciplinary creative
studio set & drift in collaboration with mi-workshop in barrio logan, san diego. maintained
by artists, designers and backyard growers, this experimental project uses abandoned and
repurposed shopping carts as the main tool in growing organic vegetables. in doing this,
the goal was to create a replicable model for urban cultivation and pocket farms.
'the farmer proper'
results of a seed bombing potluck at 'the farm proper'
This is silly. Abandoned shopping carts? Really?
These all appear to be in good working order—except that someone has filled them with soil. Whenever I see "abandoned" shopping carts, it's likely they've been stolen. These things cost a ton and theft is a big problem. There are even retrieval services that specialize in returning lost carts, not to mention many attempts at corralling the carts on the store property—coin deposits, magnetic and mechanical mechanisms etc.
Why not build raised beds out of broken pallets? Or better yet, amend the existing soil and plant in the ground. As a one off piece of guerilla art, this is fine. But a "replicable model for urban cultivation" it is not.
These all appear to be in good working order—except that someone has filled them with soil. Whenever I see "abandoned" shopping carts, it's likely they've been stolen. These things cost a ton and theft is a big problem. There are even retrieval services that specialize in returning lost carts, not to mention many attempts at corralling the carts on the store property—coin deposits, magnetic and mechanical mechanisms etc.
Why not build raised beds out of broken pallets? Or better yet, amend the existing soil and plant in the ground. As a one off piece of guerilla art, this is fine. But a "replicable model for urban cultivation" it is not.
pushstick 05.21.10
totally agree. that's not really called recycle where I come from. that's theft ... can't find the owner??? for god's sake they have the logo on the side... please dont 'create a replicable model for urban cultivation and pocket farms'.
stick a tipi up and it becomes Ok? (that's probably off the point but appropriation is the worst insult)
what a dumb idea ...
stick a tipi up and it becomes Ok? (that's probably off the point but appropriation is the worst insult)
what a dumb idea ...
unimpressed 05.21.10
completelly agree!!!
wwaa 05.21.10
we should call the police!
jayee 05.21.10
yes, because you should defend walmart those carts cost nothing to them. who cares. Either way its a clever idea. Props to you man.
John 05.21.10
great idea for old carts that the stores throw away by the billions every year. on a flat level surface you could grow and then move with the sun if limited light is available like a flat roof. good idea but i agree should only use old throw aways not new carts. cool idea. metal drums on wheels trash cans on wheels why not carts.
BigDizzle 05.22.10
stores do NOT throw away or "comfortably lose" shopping carts; they cost a fortune to make and maintain. PAID services corral and return the carts if they are lost or stolen, and it is a punishable crime to remove them from store property.
the reason the costs of the goods or serves inside the stores are high is due to things such as this: lost profits in other areas.
stop stealing carts and the company doesn't have to spend money to employ someone to look out for the population's lack of understanding about cause and reaction.
the reason the costs of the goods or serves inside the stores are high is due to things such as this: lost profits in other areas.
stop stealing carts and the company doesn't have to spend money to employ someone to look out for the population's lack of understanding about cause and reaction.
-cartsstealingsucks 05.22.10
Wow, I'm guessing many of the comments are from people far removed from an urban center who have no idea that shopping carts are often stolen by homeless, used to cart their bottles and belongings around and then abandoned, yes abandoned. I have never seen a Ross store employee, police office or auxiliary police patrolling for such abandoned carts. At least someone's out there cleaning up the streets. They look far better with greenery than polluting underpasses and landfills. Show some appreciation!
Thank you for cleaning the streets of SD! 05.23.10
I think its a great idea, As long as your not stealing them. Im pretty sure that stores do throw away old carts....what do they do with the old ones when they get new ones? I doubt they keep them. I mean, they probably recycle them but this is a different way of recycling them.
Valiant 05.23.10
Really? You guys are freaking out over "stolen" shopping carts? Fail to you. I would bet money that you are the kind of people whose only concern is the latest fashion, the hottest clubs, the newest "bling" and the biggest SUV.
Props. Great idea!
Props. Great idea!
Jade 05.23.10
Theft is theft and should be prosecuted to the fullest. Carts are not thrown out, they are sent out to be rebuilt. And for those not in the know, even smaller metro areas have enterprising people who have businesses that all they do is gather and return carts to their rightful owners.
Jim 05.23.10
get with it people someone is doing something to provide food from consumer based waste IE shopping carts. things that shouldn't be used anyways thats what we have hands for people. get a grip on reality and step outside your comfy little lives and realize that urban farming with or without shopping carts is what it is coming to. with oil spills and people that care more about "laws" than about feeding their fellows humans shame on you all for talking negative.
future food farmers of america 05.24.10
I completely agree, with both sides, it is theft - but it's from an industry that we could do without if everyone grew a bit of veg, and traded with their neighbours.
This idea is a great one for small urban farmers, and I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for carts left around by people who litter.
This idea is a great one for small urban farmers, and I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for carts left around by people who litter.
Dublin, Ireland 05.25.10
smart shopping cart
technology | 07.28.11
pilot testing has begun for a 'smart cart' program where tablet PCs installed on shopping carts synch with users' smartphones to provide store and product information tailored to shoppers' needs.
4
vincent wittenberg and guy königstein: s
design | 12.21.10
this bench is a docking station in which individual chairs can be released by simply inserting money for use anywhere on the street. the deposit is returned when one brings the seat back.
5
the pothole gardener
art | 01.19.12
the project transforms the potholes of east london into miniature worlds, full of living plants and tiny props.
7
elmslie osler architect: harlem rooftop farm
architecture | 12.26.11
this agricultural plot on a converted rooftop in the dense urban fabric of new york city will provide residents with direct access to fresh and locally cultivated food.
0
haiko cornelissen architecten: picNYC
design | 12.17.11
the work boasts a grass table top, bringing the experience of a rural picnic into the urban home.
4
lazerian paper light shades
READER'S SUBMISSION
lazerian launch a new range of paper light shades named after the stars that define the vertices,
which make up the nort...
solar winds cultural arts center
READER'S SUBMISSION
the solar winds cultural arts center is a design proposal for a large solar and wind powered structure dedicated to a wide var...
starry night interactive anima
art
translating the artist's paint daubs into particles governed by fluid dynamics, petros vrellis has created an interactive anima...
inga sempé: stockholm f
design
within the airy structure, the french designer has created the feeling of a large, open space apartment, furnished in a way tha...
RENAULT 4 ever behind-the-scenes
DESIGNBOOM COMPETITIONS
thousands of you entered from across the world; now take an exclusive video look
'horsey' by eungi kim
DESIGNBOOM COMPETITIONS
'horsey' by eungi kim from korea is one of the shortlisted design entries from m
SELFPROMO - january 17 - march 17
DESIGN - AEROBICS
how to present yourself in a creative world. different approaches to make sure your work is brought to the attention of the people that 'matter'...
POP UP - january 17 - march 17
DESIGN - AEROBICS
don’t blink or you’ll miss it! in this course we’ll look at temporary structures, from living quarters and exhibition stands to container stores...
keep up to date with recent articles and upcoming events.
to receive both newsletters please check 2 boxes.
© copyrights 2000 - 2012 designboom, all rights reserved. all material published remains the exclusive copyright of designboom.
no contents, including text, photographs, videos, etc. may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of designboom. in addition,
no material or contents may be reproduced on the world wide web by techniques of mirroring, framing, posting, etc. without the written consent of designboom.
no contents, including text, photographs, videos, etc. may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of designboom. in addition,
no material or contents may be reproduced on the world wide web by techniques of mirroring, framing, posting, etc. without the written consent of designboom.
CHINESE
JAPANESE
KOREAN
VIETNAMESE