Kingsbridge Armory as a Vertical Farming Center

The largest of its kind in the country and a treasured New York City landmark, the majestic Kingsbridge Armory has been unoccupied for over 25 years.  A new proposal to use it as a center for vertical farming, conceived and advocated for by Bronx Borough President, Vanessa Gibson, has been celebrated and given four remarkable design options in an AIA Bronx initiative led by Building Studio partner, Michael Goldblum.

The largest of its kind in the country and a treasured New York City landmark, the majestic Kingsbridge Armory has been unoccupied for over 25 years.  A new proposal to use it as a center for vertical farming, conceived and advocated for by Bronx Borough President, Vanessa Gibson, has been celebrated and given four remarkable design options in an AIA Bronx initiative led by Building Studio partner, Michael Goldblum.

Michael wanted to make sure that the studio would get a vivid, accurate experience of how design gets done in New York City, while sharing with CCNY's future architects his appreciation of the history, beauty, and importance of the Bronx. They not only visited the long-closed armory, they also spoke with stakeholders and regulators:  Kingsbridge advocates and leaders, vertical farming entrepreneurs, and senior administrators at the Landmarks Preservation Commission all participated in this project.

The students presented their work to the Borough President and the public on May 19th at a Bronx Week event at Monroe College.  Representatives from the city Economic Development Corporation [EDC], who are this summer soliciting contracts to redevelop the armory, were excited to see this work, and committed to having the students present their designs to the EDC. Also there to celebrate the designs were Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Councilmember Pierina Sanchez, Deputy Borough President Janet Peguero, Bronx AIA President Sara Jazayeri, and CCNY Spitzer Dean Marta Gutman. 

Michael put the entire project together, assembled the participants and consultants, and participated in the student juries. He also organized a competition among the student groups, with winning teams awarded citations and monetary prizes by the Bronx Chapter AIA. 
 
The project is part of Building Studio’s ongoing commitment to supporting the communities in which it works, and in finding creative ways to employ our skills to the benefit of the city. The program is planned to be repeated at a new site in 2024.