Roots of a resilient city: a bio-based manufacturing and agricultural research innovation center for the city of Owen Sound

Abstract

In an era where the climate crisis becomes increasingly more urgent, It is important for architects to recognize their role in shaping a sustainable future. Our current models are accelerating global carbon emissions, contributing significantly to worsening climate effects. This thesis turns to an analysis of material systems, understanding how the past histories of extraction, manufacturing, and production have contributed to unsuitable growth. This thesis proposes a framework to counteract these issues with local biogenic supply chains. The City of Owen Sound is used as a model for this analysis, using local plant based materials from surrounding farming regions to inform a sustainable manufacturing facility within the city’s shifting port Industries.