Cook the Books

This library/urban farm/community kitchen fusion is a space for socializing and learning through food. Situated between a commercial street and a park, the library maintains the continuity of the street front while dissolving into the greenery of the park. Hydroponic and aeroponic farming systems are integrated into the building to create a biophilic indoor environment year-round, and outdoor gardens engage with the seasons. Mass timber construction, photovoltaics, passive ventilation, and rainwater harvesting enable the library to produce food sustainably. Library-goers can trace the journey of their food from seed to plate, as the produce grown throughout the building ends up as delicious meals in the community kitchen. The library creates a space for the community to learn and gather through reading and cooking, making nutritional knowledge and locally grown food accessible for everyone.