The Multi-Farm: Harvesting for improved ecology & mental health

The Multi-farm was designed in such a way that it forms a valuable link in a new neighbourhood's (in the Cornelis-Douwes 01 area in Amsterdam) social and ecological system. In the research strategies were developed for a decentral organisation of local foodproduction and waterpurification in a new neighbourhood, but the research also provided insight into how these could be organised to provide mental health benefits as well to those living in the new neighbourhood whom are in demand of it. The Multi-farm was designed as a nature based mental healthcare facility with a partly public program that promotes sustainable food (production) but also offers safe spaces (closed of from the public) where people with severe mental health issues can farm. For these people farming is seen as a valuable taks which can help them gain new self confidence that they (to some exent) lost due to their mental issues and can therefore help them to integrate into the neighbourhood's social system. Thus the design contributes to the social sustainablity of the neighbourhood but also to the environmental sustainablity as the food and water strategies have a positive impact on the neighbourhoods ecosystems.
Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Management in the Built Environment