It is appropriate that the Mushroom Farm is located in Seattle, Washington, since it is the birthplace of one of the most popular and recognizable coffee brands in the world: Starbucks. The Mushroom Farm repurposes coffee grounds from nearby cafes to create nutrient-rich compost for growing oyster mushrooms. Hence the correlation.
Developed by Olson Kundig Architects in collaboration with CityLab7, an organization that explores issues related to climate change around the subject of food, the Mushroom Farm was placed in the storefront of a retail space. It is comprised of a cocoon-like tent structure made out of reclaimed plywood and heat-sensitive plastic sheeting. The Mushroom Farm contains 215 rustic mushroom growing bags, which visitors can peruse until Friday, March 23, 2012.
Eco-Friendly Fungus Storefronts
Olson Kundig Architects' Mushroom Farm Features Coffee Compost
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Agriculture - Opportunity for the development of innovative farming practices that repurpose organic waste.
2. Circular Economy - Disruptive potential for businesses to create value from waste materials through composting and recycling.
3. Urban Farming - Innovation possibilities in integrating farming systems into urban spaces to increase local food production.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Opportunity for architects to design sustainable and eco-friendly structures for urban farming initiatives.
2. Coffee Industry - Potential for coffee shops and cafes to explore partnerships and initiatives for repurposing coffee grounds.
3. Food Retail - Innovation potential in incorporating on-site mushroom farming in storefronts to provide fresh produce to customers.