Durham Agrarian Center

Located in downtown Durham, North Carolina, this project aims to draw in the community that surrounds it while giving back to those same people by providing a center for gathering, learning, and growing. Durham’s rich history of agriculture has, in part, allowed for its continuous growth and change over the past few decades. As a way to continue this legacy, the Durham Agrarian Center reaches out to the wide demographic around the site (that includes everyone from middle schoolers to senior citizens to skateboard enthusiasts) to learn about agriculture through access to a library and classes as well as a greenhouse for public use.

The site of the agrarian center happens to be on a quiet street corner just up the hill from the Durham Farmers Market. In order to make this more welcoming to the public, the street level of the center is pushed back to make room for more outdoor activities while the winding indoor garden atrium invites you to explore further. The levels of the center are separated based on program with Gathering (including a basketball court, gym, market, cafe and garden atrium) on the lower level, Learning (including a library and classrooms for lectures, cooking, and planting) on the mid levels, and Growing with the public greenhouse at the top level.