Can you think about how you would like to spend retirement? How about surrounded by beautiful plants and greenery and contributing to the environment?
SPARK , an international architecture studio, have designed a conceptual proposal for the next generation of urban retirement villages called Homefarm. The idea is a living and farming design that combines apartments and facilities for seniors with vertical urban farming.
The residents will live in a high-density garden environment, with a vegetable farm, and one may find employment amongst these gardens. SPARK's aim is to give rise to discussion about the many potentials that can emerge from mixing these two separate realms. While, addressing two pressing challenges faced by Singapore: "how the city state might support a rapidly ageing society, and how it might enhance its food security (90% of which is currently imported)."
This amalgamation of retiree living and gardening is not some sort of manual labour trick, there would be no "set hours" or requirements. It is simply an environment where the option is there, as a mentally stimulating physical activity and a source of income. Farmers-in-residence would have the option of offsetting apartment rental, utility or healthcare costs through their work which might include planting, harvesting, packing, cleaning, sorting and/or delivering produce
According to Mother Nature Network ,
Homefarm is " powered by an on-site biomass boiler that converts plant waste to energy and equipped with a sophisticated rainwater collection/recycling system, Homefarm would include three types of farming: an aquaponics-based vertical farm covering the terraced building’s courtyard facade that’s capable of producing 27 metric tons of greens per month; a soil-based linear farm on the building's rooftop and in planter beds; and a “traditional” soil-based farm surrounding the development that would generate 114 part-time jobs. SPARK has also included a farmers market, organic supermarket and agricultural center alongside more standard retirement community amenities such as a library, social center and healthcare facilities. "
20% of Japan's population is over 65, and by 2030 China and Singapore will reach the same. Over 70 countries export food to Singapore. Homefarm makes gardening and having the green thumb a matter of national food security... and offering a sense of purpose with huge positive ramifications for a whole nation!
