Rosie Corbin

My final major project focuses on sustainable design and community-centered planning. I prioritize understanding the area and its community, identifying their needs and deficiencies. For this project, I explored the opportunities presented by an old Armoury building in the Dockyard, Chatham, Kent. The aimed is to redesign this building, integrating a circular economy model beneficial to the Chatham community.

I began by researching Chatham and its residents. Upon visiting the town, I noticed a scarcity of food shops, with the majority being fast food outlets and minimal access to fresh, healthy produce. Additionally, there were few social and educational sites beyond the local schools. Conversations with locals revealed a sense of disconnection from the Dockyard, which was referred to as “the other side of Chatham.”

Based on these findings, I envisioned a solution to unify and benefit the community: an aquaponic farm and restaurant named “Pods of Plenty.” This location offers a comprehensive visitor experience, showcasing each stage of production— from vegetable seeding and fish breeding to growth in aquaponic pods, harvest, cooking, and dining, all in one place. Visitors can also witness the composting process, where waste produced on-site is processed.

Pods of Plenty will serve as an educational and social hub for local schools and volunteers, promoting hands-on learning about aquaponics. Additionally, visitors can pick their own food for purchase, encouraging access to healthy produce. Excess compost, fish, and vegetables will be sold in Chatham markets and local stores, further benefiting the community.

This design is not intended to solve all the issues Chatham faces but aims to create positive opportunities and foster a sense of community unity. By addressing some of the town’s needs and offering sustainable solutions, Pods of Plenty will contribute to the overall well-being of Chatham’s residents.