Grow’s Ecopod - Artist in Residency
13 December 2017
We've joined forces with local environmental architecture practice, Studio Bark, to launch the new 'Grow Pod', The design principles of this low-impact 'U-Build' pod came out of Studio Bark's desire to make construction truly affordable and self-built, opening up the prospect of self-led construction to a greater proportion of the general public. The structure incorporates a long pop-up hatch window (powered by reclaimed car-boot pistons), a modular (locally sourced) Douglas Fir skin, and modular green roof.
The 'Grow Pod' started life as a Garden Room for an East London community centre. The pod was later relocated in Bicester where it became Studio Bark’s much loved site hut for the summer. Following its most recent move to become part of Grow's ecosystem, it will be adopted by a number of different residents over the next 6 months.
The pod's first resident will be artist Gareth Jones. Gareth is a locally based artist and recent MA graduate. He will spend time in the pod seeing how it and the environment can support his practice as well as explore a new series of works that will take reference from the surroundings. He will also document in photos his experience of the pod as flexible and adaptable working space.
Studio Bark, Gareth and the team at Grow are excited to see how different artists and small businesses may adapt the space to their needs demonstrating the requirement for flexibility within the creative community.
About Studio Bark
www.studiobark.co.uk
Studio Bark is a Hackney Wick based pioneering architectural practice that delivers inspiring, yet cost-conscious environmental architecture with a hands-on approach to research, design and fabrication. Studio Bark have been developing their low-impact U-Build system for the past two years alongside engineering firm ‘Structure Workshop’ and CNC workshop ‘Cut and Construct’. Using modern CNC cutting technology means pieces can be accurately pre-cut to size and assembled using basic tools and with minimal construction experience.
About Gareth Jones
www.gjonesart.com
Through painting the experience (a form of phenomenology), he capture the air, the movement, and the place taking references of form, colour, and noise – marks guide rather than state the realistic, allowing the viewer to compose their own understanding of the ambiguities.