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This thesis is designed to be a vehicle for redefining self-sufficiency, through making both the individual and community self-supporting in food production and energy consumption. Underpinning it is the future goal of a regenerative vision that gives back to the local area and its restaurants and cafés via a sustainable distribution system. At the heart of the scheme will be a farm shop that is supplied by the community of growers living on-site.

In addition, the residents will grow produce throughout the year using greenhouses and allotments supplying not only fresh food for themselves and the on-site farm shop and eatery but also for purchase by the wider community. The housing units located throughout the scheme, offer flexible modular construction combined with food production facilities placed within the co-living areas and on shared rooftop gardens respectively. Some selected units provide the opportunity to have direct access to glass greenhouses affixed to their balcony space to ensure maximum food production efficiency.

The ambition of this scheme is to encourage every individual to provide food, thereby creating provision for a wider range of produce, helping to ensure each household can and will be self-sufficient in fresh food alongside the wider community. By providing flexible housing for its inhabitants, the scheme will also allow people to grow within the programme and help to create a more resilient society that is in-tune with the specific needs of the resident community. The Home Grown Wharf scheme will establish a healthy community by growing local and organic food on-site, eradicating the long food production and supply lines that arise from importing un-seasonal produce and the use of pesticides and harmful additives to maintain and extend the shelf-life.

The scheme as a whole will provide opportunities for learning new skills through collaboration and partnerships forged within the community. This will enable community members to thrive across a range of different elements of the scheme and create a sense of self-worth whilst also nurturing positive engagement around the wider Floating Harbour area.