flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Manhattan’s Union Square gets its very own farmhouse

Mixed-Use

Manhattan’s Union Square gets its very own farmhouse

GrowNYC, a sustainability-focused nonprofit, commissioned ORE Design to create the community events center and learning space.


By David Malone, Associate Editor | August 17, 2017
Interior of the GrowNYC multifunctional area

Photo: AGP Amanda Gentle Photography

An unused space has been repurposed as a multifunctional community area, bringing GrowNYC’s fresh food markets, recycling resource locations, and local garden support under one roof.

GrowNYC, a sustainability-focused nonprofit, commissioned ORE Design to create the community events center and learning space, located near Union Square in Manhattan. Dubbed Farmhouse, the center includes a classroom forum, educational kitchen, and conference center. The rooms can be combined to operate as a fundraising venue.

Suspended acoustic baffles made from recycled water bottles translate the traditional geometry of the American farmhouse into an abstract ceiling motif that guides visitors throughout the environment. Reflective solar tubes illuminate a feature wall. An existing mechanical shaft in the center of the room was turned into a mirrored jewel box for a vertical hydroponic wall. The educational kitchen and large storage closets were built below an existing fire stair to create an additional projection surface. The result is a modern building with hints of classic American farmhouse architecture.

Related Stories

Mixed-Use | Jan 3, 2018

A Houston luxury apartment complex has its own co-working space

The new community is located in the economic and population center of Houston.

Mixed-Use | Jan 2, 2018

Food incubator will support entrepreneurs on Chicago’s West Side

Designed by Wight & Company, the 67,000-sf food incubator development in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood will also serve as the new headquarters for the nonprofit Accion Chicago.

Mixed-Use | Dec 12, 2017

A new live/work neighborhood is about to get under way in Omaha, Neb.

Walkability and recreation will be key features of West Farm.

Mixed-Use | Dec 12, 2017

Construction begins on Phase I of $240 million mixed-use development in Boston

Fenway Center will span 4.5 acres between Brookline, Beacon Street, David Ortiz Way, and the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Mixed-Use | Nov 17, 2017

Riverton will be the largest mixed-use project in New Jersey history

The 418-acre waterfront development will sit on the Raritan River.

Mixed-Use | Nov 1, 2017

18-story residential tower breaks ground near Temple University

The tower will provide apartment units for students and young professionals.

Mixed-Use | Oct 19, 2017

Mixed-use Dubai tower will have the world’s tallest ceramic facade

The 63-story tower will house a Mandarin Oriental hotel, residences, and restaurants.

Mixed-Use | Oct 6, 2017

Omaha gets its first entertainment district

Leo A Daly designed the mixed-use development, which takes advantage of a new city ordinance that allows alcoholic beverages outdoors.

High-rise Construction | Oct 4, 2017

90-story mixed-use building could become Denver’s first supertall tower

Manhattan-based Greenwich Realty Capital is developing the project.

Reconstruction & Renovation | Sep 28, 2017

Plans for Chicago’s historic Post Office building revealed by 601W Companies and Gensler

The redevelopment project is currently the largest in the nation.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category


MFPRO+ Special Reports

Top 10 trends in affordable housing

Among affordable housing developers today, there’s one commonality tying projects together: uncertainty. AEC firms share their latest insights and philosophies on the future of affordable housing in BD+C's 2023 Multifamily Annual Report.



halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021