To address New York’s escalating heatwaves due to global warming and the challenges to our soil and food systems, this project proposes a “Coldhouse.” It explores alternative food systems such as insect farming and mushroom cultivation, offering sustainable solutions with minimal environmental impact. Additionally, it advocates for revitalizing campus landscapes, moving away from labor-intensive lawn maintenance reliant on pesticides and fertilizers to cultivating wildflowers and fostering biodiversity. Designed as a climatic refuge for both humans and wildlife, the “cold house” harnesses nature’s elements to create a subtly cooled, semi-outdoor space conducive to exploration and innovation.
