Ten Arquitectos Develop All-Purpose ‘Casitas’ for Community Gardens Around the City

Over the past year, “casitas” have been sprouting up in community gardens from Puerto Rico to the South Bronx. These “little houses” are the result of a collaboration between the New York Restoration Project (NYRP) and the Urban Air Foundation (UAF) to develop an adaptable structure for community gardens. Taking on former mayor Mike Bloomberg’s post-Sandy challenge to create resilient infrastructure throughout the city, the two organizations partnered with Ten Arquitectos to create the shed-like structures. The modular timber casitas are multi-functional and can be converted to food preparation stations, performance stages, storage spaces, or just a spot for shade.

The simple modular timber design of the casita fits right in with the organic nature of outdoor gardens. Its simplicity also renders it cost-efficient and easy to construct, according to the NYRP.

In the future, Ten Arquitectos seeks to re-outfit the casitas with solar panels and WiFi and make them able to function off the grid if the need ever arises.

Rendering of BAM South Tower via Grain Collective

Ten Arquitectos, whose mission is to develop projects that address social, environmental, political and financial responsibility, are also involved in other green projects around the city, such as the future BAM South tower at 286 Ashland Place in Downtown Brooklyn, which will have an attractive public space at the base of the tower equipped with flowerbeds and grasses. They’re also working on the three residential towers atop the roof of the East River Plaza mall on 116th Street in East Harlem. While a public green space will be included in this project, the construction faces some contention from local residents.

[Via designboom]

Images courtesy of Ten Arquitectos

RELATED:

• New Renderings of Two Trees’ BAM South Tower Highlight Views, Green Roofs and Space for Outdoor Markets
• Going Green and Curbing Gentrification: How the Bronx Is Doing It Differently
• INTERVIEW: Amy Norquist of Greensulate Talks Green Roofs and Sustainable Design