East Liberty Market Hall (Spring 2012)

Site: East Liberty, Pittsburgh, PA

This proposal for a new East Liberty Market Hall aims to engage the public through the creation of an indoor farm. The market provides a variety of produce grown on site with the use of hydroponic and aeroponic farming techniques. The aeroponic modules and hydroponic terraces are housed inside a central vertical farm, around which shoppers can circumambulate. The farm tower and perimeter columns and walls hoist up an undulating space frame roof system that modulates light and water. The roof is able to span significant distances, maintaining an open floor plan for the market. Unique branching columns provide extra support where it is needed and are epicenters for gathering spaces. Produce that is ready for sale is temporarily stored in pods around the market for easy access by the customers. This project aims to provide an alternative from the other grocery stores in the Market District and reduce the distance from farm to table.