Ribbon Farm, a restaurant and community kitchen based in Detroit, was inspired by the “ribbon farms” that were created along the Detroit River by French settlers in the late 1700s. The long and narrow land divisions, usually near the water, maximized land use and created efficiency by giving multiple landowners access to water.

Inspired by the design of the ribbon farms I created an efficient, welcoming space that is open and easy for people to move through. Working with the building’s narrow and triangular space, I created a structure where restaurant customers could see the first and second floors. "Pods" that serve as an area for cooking lessons during the day are used for dining at night. Greenery is visible throughout the space, decorating lighting fixtures within the pods as well as a large chandelier that spans both stories and welcomes guests into the restaurant.

Stairs curve out from the first-floor wall and extend to meet the wall again to create the feeling of walking through a field. Detroit is known for “food deserts” and the second floor is devoted to educating locals about agriculture and healthy eating, with space for educational gatherings and relaxing. Custom green walls teach visitors about the agricultural cycle, and a balcony, resembling a grassy field, creates a comfortable space for seating, on grass and on chairs. Ribbon Farm aims to educate people on healthy eating and its importance, while creating an environment that encourages the community to learn, gather, and socialize together.

Faculty for the project:Bren Galvez-Moretti