located in lower algiers (8 miles down river from the french quarter), the sugar roots farm is a place where people of all ages in the new orleans area can interact with farm animals, learn about natural cycles, and understand where food comes from. as the farm looks to grow its capacity, the staff reached out to the small center team to design and build an outdoor teaching space that allows for expanded educational events, reflected the mission and vision of the organization, and addressed the stormwater challenges on site.

the final scheme is an outdoor classroom that sits on a raised concrete slab with integrated drainage that anchors a large steel and wooden roof structure. the roof provides a large shaded area for classes and directs water to a cistern and bioswale that alleviate the localized flooding. the structure includes wash stations for the farm’s produce and large counters for teaching canning and cooking classes. the space is bracketed by a storage area for kitchen equipment and supplies and an educational wall with fixed signage and a chalkboard for class activities. a rope screen along the street edge provides a surface for vines to grow on over time and leads visitors to an observation deck over the bioswale.