From Concrete to Cultivation: Reimagining a Brutalist Store as a Net-Zero Hydroponic Farm
Once a symbol of post-war consumerism, the former department store stands as a striking mass of concrete — bold, functional, and abandoned. But where others see an outdated monolith, we see a unique opportunity: to turn a relic of the past into a thriving node of the future.
Our vision? An ultramodern hydroponic farm embedded within the brutalist bones of the building — designed to be entirely net-zero, beautifully self-sufficient, and deeply integrated with its urban context.
Why Brutalism is the Perfect Framework for Reuse
Brutalist architecture is often misunderstood — cold, stark, unwelcoming. But its structural honesty and sheer material integrity make it ideal for adaptive reuse. Exposed concrete walls, generous floor spans, and high load-bearing capacity provide the perfect shell for reimagining vertical farming infrastructure — no demolition required.
Instead of erasing its past, we’re designing with it. The building’s grid becomes the growing matrix; its atriums become light wells; its raw surfaces become textural contrasts to high-tech, plant-filled interiors.
The Hydroponic Core
At the heart of the transformation is a multi-level hydroponic system — soil-free, water-efficient, and continuously productive. Climate-controlled vertical gardens cascade across former retail floors, growing leafy greens, herbs, and micro-produce for local restaurants and food co-ops.
Smart environmental controls monitor humidity, lighting, and nutrient cycles, ensuring optimal growth with minimal energy input. The building's facade, retrofitted with photovoltaic panels and operable louvers, contributes to its net-zero energy profile — while also acting as a contemporary layer over the original brutalist massing.
Architecture as Ecology
This isn’t just a farm inside a building — it’s an architectural ecosystem. Rainwater is harvested from the rooftop and reused. Waste heat from LED grow lights is redirected to warm germination zones. The building's former loading bays are converted into distribution hubs and education spaces, inviting the public into the process.
Concrete is no longer static. It becomes a host for life — for plants, people, and ideas.
A Model for Urban Regeneration
This project explores what happens when we stop seeing disused buildings as obsolete, and start seeing them as fertile ground — literally and figuratively. By layering new functions into old forms, we can create urban spaces that are productive, sustainable, and deeply inspiring.
It’s a bold step toward a future where architecture doesn’t just house life — it helps grow it.