OffTheFarm – Folks is proud to be among the shortlisted finalist teams for the RCA Grand Challenge 2024/25 in London, the world’s largest single-institution postgraduate design project, marking the team’s dedication to creating innovative, sustainable, and community-driven solutions for today’s urban context. At a time when rapid urban expansion and commercial development threaten the existence of traditional marketplaces, the project proposes a flexible, future-ready alternative: a network of mobile, foldable carts that bring farm-fresh produce directly to consumers while activating underutilized public spaces. By uniting sustainability with mobility, the initiative aims to build an adaptable market model that enhances accessibility, supports local livelihoods, and promotes environmental responsibility.
Newham, one of London’s most diverse boroughs, has long been defined by its vibrant markets—cultural, social, and economic anchors for the communities that rely on them. Yet recent urban shifts, particularly the rise of large commercial developments like Westfield Stratford, have placed immense pressure on these traditional marketplaces. With spaces such as Stratford Centre, Queen’s Market, and Stratford Market Village facing gradual decline, the future of independent vendors and the communities they support has become increasingly uncertain. OffTheFarm – Folks addresses this challenge by introducing a flexible, mobile market system designed to adapt to evolving city conditions. Instead of depending on permanent infrastructure, the project equips vendors with mobile, foldable carts that allow them to navigate the urban landscape freely, bringing fresh produce and local goods directly to high-footfall zones where community interaction and accessibility can thrive.
At the heart of the project is a fleet of foldable, modular carts engineered to be lightweight, portable, and environmentally responsible. Constructed from recycled and upcycled materials, these carts embody the team’s commitment to sustainable design and circular-use principles. Their mobility enables markets to emerge organically in parks, transit nodes, and public squares, activating underused urban pockets and transforming them into lively hubs of economic exchange and cultural interaction.
OffTheFarm – Folks envisions markets not just as spaces for trade but as dynamic platforms for education, collaboration, and sustainability. The initiative incorporates workshops that teach communities how to repurpose agricultural byproducts—for example, transforming grape skins into biodegradable packaging—encouraging responsible and sustainable consumer habits while fostering awareness and engagement within the local community.
A Vision for the Future
Being selected as a finalist in the RCA Grand Challenge 2024/25 represents a significant milestone for OffTheFarm – Folks, highlighting the project’s potential for meaningful real-world impact. Competing alongside some of the most innovative designers globally, the team continues to refine and develop its concept, pushing the boundaries of sustainable market infrastructure. OffTheFarm – Folks goes beyond preserving the legacy of traditional markets; it seeks to reimagine them for the future. By blending tradition with innovation, mobility with sustainability, and commerce with community engagement, the project aims to foster a more inclusive, resilient, and adaptive urban landscape for all.