Research Studio based on the AgriFloor Project

Reimagining Existing Buildings as Urban Food Production Systems

Europe’s building stock is undergoing a profound transformation. Office spaces are becoming vacant, department stores are losing their original function, parking structures are becoming increasingly obsolete, and many buildings are only partially occupied. Productive Buildings understands this existing building stock not as a problem, but as an urban resource.

Research Questions

In the seminar, we explore how existing buildings can accommodate new productive functions. Using building-integrated food production as a case study, monofunctional existing buildings are gradually transformed into hybrid Productive Buildings.

The seminar investigates which building typologies offer particular potential for transformation, which floors and building areas are suitable for food production, and which urban farming technologies correspond to specific spatial and technical conditions. It also examines which existing uses can be retained and which new combinations of uses can emerge from production, offices, gastronomy, education, community, or social programmes. In addition, the seminar explores which operating and business models can support such hybrid buildings in the long term and how new architectural typologies can emerge from these combinations.

Focus Areas

The students’ work investigates the transformation potential of existing buildings into Productive Buildings.

The Building Typology Atlas examines the transformation potential of different building typologies. The Floor Suitability Matrix investigates the suitability of basements, ground floors, standard floors, and roofs. The Technology–Building Matrix matches production systems with specific building characteristics. The Complementary Use Catalogue explores combinations of productive and complementary uses. The Business Model Library examines different operating, use, and revenue models. Finally, the Design Catalogue brings together architectural solutions and future visions for productive buildings.