The Scoop with the Coop
The Sasaki Chicken Coop was a collaboration with the Architecture and Landscape Architecture disciplines at Sasaki. Principal Isabel Zempel wanted to expand the Urban Agriculture Initiative to include the care of chickens. A small team of 4 designers was formed to look into local regulations required to keep chickens on commercial property in Watertown, Massachusetts. After application and approval was granted from the Department of Health, the team designed and fabricated the coop in-house, showcasing the possibilities of the firm’s CNC router. The construction of the coop and chicken run took three weeks and was unveiled at the Sasaki Summer BBQ. During the event, employees met the new additions to the office; Heidi, Gertrude and Gretel. A program was developed to allow up to two people a week to care for the chickens. During this time, volunteers learn general care and make sure the chickens are well tended. All eggs collected during the week are divided amongst the volunteers to be enjoyed. When the weather begins to cool, the chickens will go back to their home at Zembel’s house where they will overwinter and return again in the spring.
Completed while Senior Landscape Designer at SASAKI
Location: SASAKI, Watertown, Massachusetts
Date: 2015 - 2016
Project Type: Agriculture, Urban Farming
Client: SASAKI
Owner: SASAKI
Team: Chris Hardy, Chris Winkler, Philip Dugdale