2085 Narrative
As climate change worsens, parts of Earth have become uninhabitable. The UK now faces scorching summers and winters of severe flooding. Farmland is unstable, livestock struggle to survive, and farmers have turned to lab-grown meats- aided by AI- to mimic flavour and texture. Concerns grow however around the safety and ethics of these synthetic foods, and a movement begins to push back. A new space emerges, encouraging people to reconnect with tradition through the process of tofu making. Set within a former pumping station, this factory becomes a quiet act of resistance. From soaking to stirring, pressing to cutting, every step is transparent and communal. The space is a sanctuary- celebrating not just food, but nature, craft, and connection in a world dominated by artificial systems.
Spatial Concept
The spatial concept is shaped by organic, bubble-like forms, inspired by the transformation of soybeans into tofu. Rounded volumes cluster and intersect, embodying the swelling of a soybean during soaking. Internally, irregular, cave-like interiors, carved from local limestone, echo the breaking of tofu. At the top of the building, a striking contrast emerges; a giant soybean-shaped greenhouse encases the growing zone. Its smooth, reflective surface glows in the light, creating ideal conditions for growing soy and celebrating cultivation. Across the building, repetition and organic variation define the architectural style, reflecting how even precise tofu-making processes allow for natural irregularities. The space becomes a vessel for transformation, both in material and people.
