Shantel Gilmore

The design proposal revolves around the idea of “eat, drink, design”; a space for the community to come together, engage, and interact. This focuses on agricultural production and consumption as a means of manufacturing and circularity. By emphasising ‘leisure’ through wine and dining, the design intends to be a social condenser and enhance the local quality of life, endorsing a sense of care for culture and the environment. This may involve the programmatic layering upon Prato’s existing industrial archeology, to encourage dynamic coexistence of activities and to regenerate spaces through urban-scale interventions and events.

Good morning! It is breakfast time, for two. Compiling together the ingredients for a meal, and combining the modular building blocks of the kitchen and dining space. Each unit is sliced into 600mm x 900mm self-serviced blocks that intend to be added and subtracted to other 600mm x 900mm units: benches, sinks, stove tops and ovens.

As part of the ‘EatPrato’ Festival, the space expands and invites sixty to one hundred people. Multiplying the units into larger stall-like spaces, scattered around the site. The recycled fabric canopy opens to signify siesta hours, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm, offering an alternative late lunch destination. Shaded from the heat on a 35-degree day, for the most important meal.

Heroising the otherwise mundane, the operable canopy, semi-open and semi-closed, highlighting the sun setting at dinner time, whilst engaging with twelve to twenty other family members, friends or neighbours. The space operates as a series of counters, to facilitate encounters and social interaction.

How has a history of ‘leisure’ fuelled the local community, and how can past and present forms of social activity continue to enhance future economic productivity in a sustainable manner?

How can architecture become a centre beyond the preparation of food and preserve the neighbourhood, serving to provide a voice to many demographic groups?