
Grow it: South LA
A Re-Use Proposal for the Metro Blue Line
Beginning as a refrigerated train car, this large-scale project is intended to deliver produce up and down SoCal (LA-Long Beach) by taking over the Metro Blue Line, specifically the Slauson station. The designed grow hub facility supplies a delivery system and immediate needs in the area. Inspired by the functionality and symbolism of mycelium, the site, with a perimeter stretching over a mile, explores playful curves as the bones of
the buildings in elevation and roof shape, while the base maintains the common surrounding typologies. The massive space is concentrated with interactive landscaping, community health and athletic resources, and pickup lockers for healthy dining support. The motivation for this safe, hang-out space stems from the surrounding neighborhood consisting of an elementary school with no sports fields, busy working-class families, and a startling food desert. Like the robot-powered refrigerated train car, the spectacle and whimsicality of the station will attract members of all age ranges, provide jobs, and thrive during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.


SITE
Slauson Blue Line Station
Florence-Graham, CA 90001





With the study area in South Los Angeles, this project deals with a diverse community living in over populated circumstances. Families consist of multiple young children, often with single parents earning a cumulative median income of $28,000. The majority of the money circulating households go towards food. However, the neighborhoods within the food desert offer an abundance of fast-food options with very little fresh produce at realistic prices. In order to tackle the innate health burden, marketing is an essential study topic. People of color are over 2x as likely to engage in resources marketed directly at them, and 84% more likely to engage when children are also incorporated in the selling point. In order to avoid community displacement and maximize engagement, the project must follow intentional marketing strategies and involve the community as much as possible in employment efforts and addressing wants rather than only adressing needs.
Site Research Diagrams
Site Research Diagrams

Cut Plan





Ground Floor Verticle Garden System
Roof Plan
Elevation


Expanded Values
Section



Physical Model

Highlighting Local Artists
& Community Connectivity

Drawing from Nature - The Mycelium Plan


Shelter


Connect

Extend + Admire

Flow