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Thomas Jefferson University has united landscape architects and graphic designers to collaborate on a project in which its prime basis is to put plants into the people’s hands who might not have ever had the convenience to have done so before. The studio's aim was to incorporate nature into the daily lives of Philadelphia neighborhoods through a system of public spaces designed for communities to exchange seeds.
Seed Swap’s intention is to highlight Kingsessing’s pre-existing assets and strengths in a way that is solely driven by the community’s ideas and dreams. The landscape studio sat with community members to see what it is that makes Kingsessing a home to such empathetic individuals. Taking that information into their designs, each student intended to find the missing puzzle piece where pollination plays a role in assisting the community. |
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I really wanted the community to feel prioritized and heard. Many residents in West Philadelphia have little access to fresh food and healthcare so we decided to design Seed Swap to create a network where people can share their working knowledge, tools, and seeds!
- Morgan Hannan |
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Going back to Kingsessings’ roots, Seed Swap will implement a seed and garden resource exchange system that gives the community the ability to grow and trade their own food and medicine. One main location, The Hive, will serve as an educational and communal space that houses this project along with eight swap box locations that facilitate the swap process will be strategically placed throughout Kingsessing in it’s areas that are highly circulated like schools, parks, churches, postal offices, and stores. The main location sits in between a school and a church to give seniors and youth the opportunity to connect generations in a way that heals and restores their neighborhood. The structure itself is made of wood for both easy buildability and service as a pollinator habitat.
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Why is creating change important to you?
It is so important to educate every individual of what they are capable of. If everyone knew they could grow their own food and medicine in a small space, there would be less poverty and pollution in our world. We are constantly confined into a template we are supposed to go with the flow but when we stop following and start asking these tough questions, change occurs. - Morgan Hannan |
