XERO Project, winner of a first-place prize, focuses on urban agriculture

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“What if one block in Texas became the sustainable model for the world?

XERO Project, a proposal for an “X” of greenways and zero-energy building design in downtown Dallas, earned one of three first-place prizes in the Re:Vision Dallas design competition on May 28, 2009.

Urban Agriculture

As a complement to neighboring arts and historic areas, the XERO District is focused on urban agriculture and food. Public orchards, community gardens, private planter boxes, food stalls, and locally supplied restaurants contribute to the district character and buzz.

To bring food grown within the greenways and courtyards to market, the street level of the new residential buildings is lined with an array of micro-retail spaces–small, inexpensive stores and stalls where the district’s urban farmers will sell and serve what they produce. In addition to the large agricultural areas at street level, a range of common spaces on the south face of the tower will provide planting boxes for individual use.

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The integration of agriculture with daily life provides a unique educational opportunity for children within the district, who would be able to attend after-school programs focused on teaching them how to grow their own food.

See more about the Xero Project here.