Summary

This project gives new life to an old hoop house frame that’s been sitting unused for two years after its plastic cover wore out. The aim is simply to find good use for the unused hoop house frame. Rather than buying a new cover, I’m reimagining the frame’s purpose creatively. The design starts without a fixed outcome, using the design framework to guide the process. The end result is a multipurpose space in an so far rather unused area of our premises. This is Lumia Huhdanpää-Jais’ Diploma Portfolio Design 10/10.

Design Framework

OBRIEDIM (observe, boundaries, resources, ideas, evaluate, design, implement, maintain)

Client

Residents of Beyond Buckthorns: myself and husband Dominik

Dates

06/2024-10/24-onwards

Tools Used

Zones, Sectors, ChatGPT, PMI, PASE, SWOC, Photos & Maps, Ian McHarg's Exclusion

Ethics

• Earth care: The design should prioritize using existing materials and perhaps include elements to support biodiversity and soil health.
• People care: The design and the implementation shouldn’t be too taxing or time consuming. Create a space to support our bigger goals of education and demonstrating design.
• Fair share: Maximize the use of available resources and share the benefits of the project with others.

Principles

• Observe & interact: Begin by understanding the potential and limitations of the unused frame and surrounding environment before making decisions.
• Produce no waste: Focus on making the best use of existing resources to minimize waste and reduce the need for external inputs.
• Small & slow solutions: Keep whatever solution small and manageable.
• Creatively use & respond to change: Embrace the project’s evolving nature, adapting as new opportunities or challenges arise.

Introduction

We bought a hoop house/ little greenhouse several years ago in a end-of-season sale for 20 €. It came with a frame and a plastic cover. In a few years time, the plastic deteriorated and started falling apart. We discarded the plastic, and tried to get new one, but didn’t find anything suitable for a decent price. We tried different solutions like other kinds of plastic covers, none of which were very durable in use.

The last two years the frame has been sitting unused, and it’s time to change that.

This design starts from a point of not knowing what the end result will be. I don’t have a vision for it, nor and idea what could be the best solution. I only would like that the frame stays in use onsite at Beyond Buckthorns. Otherwise, I will let permaculture guide me and see where we end up.

Hoop house reimagined design

This design was documented in a presentation format. Please download the presentation below as pdf for your own use and learning!