14% of all Rotterdam’s existing off

14% of all Rotterdam’s existing office space is vacant, of which much is often vacant for more than three years. This project explores the feasibility of utilising these vacant urban spaces for the growing and distribution of food, questioning existing trends and established food networks within cities.

The Growing Office Market proposes a new typological building, where agricultural systems are introduced into an existing office building and integrated into the existing building fabric. The reciprocal systems form symbiotic relationships, where inputs and outputs form closed loop energy systems and waste is minimised. At the same time ‘new’ desirable and enriched working office environments are created. The project also explores the possibility of creating similar retrofit systems to comparable buildings within Rotterdam and other developed cities