I’m designing a multidisciplinary obesity research center that will reconnect the American public with the sourcing of their food. My research will draw from American social culture, economics, psychology and the comparison of Eastern and Western Preventative Care. It might manifest in the form of a community center or a athlete training center or a school. I want to allow my research path to define the form rather than prescribing one preemptively. I’m interested in designing a pilot program based in WA. Although we might not have the highest obesity rate, prevention is key. Bellingham is ranked in the top 5 healthiest cities in the US while Yakima is one of the most obesity cities. This range is why WA is a perfect state for Reflecting on themes in my life, I discovered I have an interesting relationship with food. I love talking about it, cooking it, sharing it and being around it. For me, food is directly related to wealth and power. Being able to afford and having access to eating out, and purchasing gluten-free, fair trade, organic, free range, dairy-free products, identifies your status. However, eating and buying these food are two different conversations for me. Be surrounded by this rich and natural food, yes, but eating it, only sparingly. I became obsessed with counting calories, and only eating foods that look like the food they’re in their original form. Spiraling, the connection between access to food and wealth became evident, not just for me but for many Americans. My first bachelors degree was in cultural anthropology and I dove into researching how culture strongly shapes opinions and belief systems. So how have American food paradigms shaped relationships with food for other people besides me? How has access to education and economic climate changed eating habits? Research shows the clear correlation between obesity and access to basic needs My project will explore the correlation between obesity and access to nutrient-dense foods as preventative care. Since Children are our future the project will be geared towards education for students under 18 years old and their families.
As Anthelme stated in 1826 "Tell me what you eat and I'll tell you what you are" I want to design a space that reintroduces access to nutrition as a form of preventative care.
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I’m designing a Living Building certified middle school that features IB curriculum, locally sourced products for the meals (through the Farm to School program) and a community green house that will be open to the public year round, will be maintained by the kids during school and by the community center during the summer. Archives
May 2017
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