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This project directly addresses the need to increase access to fresh produce and food education programming for children. As Brady Farm, the client, was expanding their reach, I was asked to design and build a Farm Shed (~1500sf). This project will expand the farm's reach through the community, increase its capacity to distribute produce, and provide dedicated indoor space for community programming. The concept developed out of a study of agricultural typologies and a desire to reflect the agrarian nature of the farm within its urban setting.
All architecture work was provided pro-bono, and two-thirds of the cost was covered by material and labor donations from local contractors.
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Uniquely located on Syracuse' south side, Brady Farm operates as an agricultural oasis, while sited directly within a populated urban area in Syracuse, NY. It is the only source of fresh food in what is otherwise a food desert, occupied by a historically marginalized community of low-wage earners. The location of the building allows for easy access from neighboring residents for food supplies, educational programs, and adult job training. Most importantly, this new structure provides space for community gathering including an indoor market and education space and outdoor picnic areas.
The Brady Farm, and by extension the new Market Shed, are a prototype for what urban farm philanthropy can be, setting an example for other, much needed additions for neighboring underserved communities.
As a pro-bono project, the goal was to make a bold statement about the value of investing in the community while keeping the building itself as simple as possible.
While the formal quality of the structure may appear somewhat complex, the framing itself involves a simple symmetrical offset that allowed us to use the same two types of trusses throughout - which simplified construction. The wall assembly is inspired by Joe Lstiburek's 'Perfect' wall, and places all insulation and vapor barriers outboard of the construction. Already this summer the interior of the shed is considerably cooler than the outside temperature, without any mechanical cooling.
While skylights have been added to the community room, they are solar power vented, to allow light while minimizing any greenhouse effect.
The strength of the Brady Farm project comes from its qualities as a collaborative, community endeavor. As designers we were able to leverage the non-profit status of Brady Farm and Syracuse University to secure a number of donations from local contractors which made this building possible.
All architecture and design work was done pro-bono, and included student researchers from Syracuse Universty as part of the learning process. Local contractors Hayner Hoyt, JK Tobin, Burns Bros, Allied Electric, Paragon Masonry, Applied Coatings, Schalk and Sons, Commercial Painting Plus, and Gitzen Company donated either material, labor, or both. Further Heidelberg Materials, Hertell Steel, Thermal Foams, and Little Falls Lumber Co supllied donated and discounted materials. These donations totaled $162,000. The remainder of the $115,000 building cost was supported through captial grants and fundraising provided by Brady Farm.
Because so much of the labor was donated, the client acted as the general contractor with support from the architect as both architect and construction manager. While this proved a challenging organizational structure it allowed us the flexibility to stay on budget throughout.
This project was imagined and driven entirely as a community engaged research and design project meant to explore the capacity of urban farm philanthropy. The expansion of agricultural services, in addition to the introduction of new community-focused programs - education, job training, mental health screenings, and even just a social space to share with neighbors - will serve as a much needed asset to the neighboring community and a prototype for future projects like it.
Hannibal Newsom is the Principal of Mago Architecture, an Assistant Professor at the Syracuse University School of Architecture, and a New York State licensed architect.
Newsom’s academic work pursues a broad project that is dedicated to inviting students to engage in complex social and political contexts, the development of community-engaged design-build practices; and to crafting critical architectural interventions that explore the widespread human and environmental injustices prevalent in our industry’s traditional practices. His writing on material practices has been published in The Plan Journal (2022) and his research earned a Lender Center for Social Justice Grant (2024). Newsom holds a B.S. in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Architecture with Honors from the Pratt Institute Graduate Architecture and Urban Design program.
