Culture Kitchen is a project that aims to regenerate, activate and enliven an architecturally, spatially and socially disarranged area in the Southside of Glasgow, UK. Culture Kitchen is located in one of the most culturally, socially and ethnically diverse areas of the city. At the moment, there is little engagement between different community groups. This is no surprise, because the urban environment in the area does not provide any spaces or places, where people could come and spend their time together.

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1. Modern cities are inundated with fast-food chains and brands. Produce, saturated with preservatives, travels miles from place of origin to the table, relying heavily on non-sustainable fuel sources, extensive use of water and greenhouse gas emitting technologies. This damages both our environment and our health. 

 

2. Bad eating habits resulted in one of the greatest issues of 21st century - obesity. City dwellers often suffer from health conditions related to unbalanced and poor diet. Food literacy is low and healthy eating culture is neglected. 

 

3. The objective of the Culture Kitchen is to promote healthy eating habits, educate the community about the possibilities to improve ones diet and health by chosing to eat local, seasonal, clean and fresh produce and to involve people in the exciting process of growing their own food. 

 

4. Allotments created on the site will be available for rent to anyone interested in urban farming. On these plots of land, people will be able to cultivate their own vegetables, fruits and herbs. The main pavilion will house aquaponic greenhouses. Aquaponics is a food production system, which is based on a symbiotic environment between fish and plants, and allows to cultivate vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs and fish at the same time. The system uses very little water and energy and usually no artificial fertilisers and allows to grow clean sustainable food in very confined spaces. 

The design proposal is an urban farming hub and dining space, which seeks to promote healthy eating culture among city dwellers. The concept was inspired by the principles of Food Diplomacy, which perceives food as a medium that can facilitate natural social bonding within communities. The core idea of the project is good food bringing people together. 

 

The site was chosen for being possibly one of the most disarranged parts of the urban fabric of the area. At the moment, it is an irregular collection of buildings of different age and quality.They look disconnected and do not have a great architectural value. 

Existing buildings are demolished, pavements removed, soil cleaned from waste and contaminants, new fertile ground is layered and site is levelled. 

The Culture Kitchen pavilion is built. Aquaponic greenhouses are installed. Communal Table, Open Kitchen, Cafe and Shop are fully functioning, events are held and first allotments are being cultivated. 

The whole site gradually fills up with allotments as the Culture Kitchen becomes more recognized and popular. Natural processes such as growing of plants take time, but eventually the space will come alive with a green patchwork of allotments. 

 

Culture Kitchen pavilion is built from used cargo shipping containers, repurposed to accommodate the various spaces. Shipping containers are strong, durable, available and cheap. Empty unused containers occupy a lot of space in cities around the world, including Glasgow, and when one is upcycled 3500 kg of steel is saved, which requires 8000 kWh of energy to melt down.