Spring 25 - Herb Garden

Inspired by the form and function of the mortar and pestle, this specialized facility is designed to cultivate, community, process, and distribute South American medicinal herbs within the urban context of Newark, NJ. The architecture adopts a "top-down" programmatic strategy: the rooftop serves as a regenerative farm for raw cultivation, while the third floor houses laboratories for pharmaceutical research and the care of delicate species of herbs. The second floor features an interactive community center where elderly residents engage in the tradition of herb grinding, bridging the gap between ancient practice and modern wellness. Finally, the ground floor serves as a dispensary, providing direct access to herbal powders, extracts, and teas for the local community.