Growing Local Collaborative
Small Center worked collaboratively with the Growing Local Collaborative (GLC) throughout Fall 2025 to engage with community, research, design, and build an outdoor classroom and shade pavilion at GLC’s new Central City site.
Context
Located at the intersection of Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. and Thalia St., the Myrtle Banks Building is the future home to the Growing Local Collaborative. The site bolsters their urban farming and community engagement needs with educational spaces, a sensory garden, and a food production space. Events held here range from classroom style learning to a weekly farmers market.
Project Dates
August 2025–January 2026
Small Center Engagement
The Growing Local Collaborative asked the Small Center for Collaborative Design to create a space that would bring people together around food. This was achieved by designing with consideration of natural systems, adaptable assembly spaces, and opportunities for teaching through demonstration. Working from partner feedback and building on design research and site analysis, the student design team created a design proposal including a primary structure for gathering and outdoor classroom instruction, a gathering/teaching table, growing beds, a water management system, public seating, and rain gardens.
Outcome
The project was completed in Spring 2026, and can be visited at 1307 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. A document outlining the project’s goals and process can be seen here.
The Growing Local Collaborative consists of several New Orleans-based organizations: Recirculating Farms, Liberty’s Kitchen, NOLA Food Policy Advisory Committee, Sprout NOLA, and Top Box Foods Louisiana. They work to promote community health and wellness through increased food access, job training, and policy advocacy. They cover food production and distribution, farmer support and development, entrepreneurship, and market expansion – particularly in neighborhoods with limited access to fresh food. Additionally, they grow fresh local food in New Orleans and surrounding areas.
GROWING LOCAL COLLABORATIVE
- Recirculating Farms
- Liberty’s Kitchen
- NOLA Food Policy Advisory Committee
- Sprout NOLA
- Top Box Foods Louisiana
DRYADES YMCA
Project Leads
Emilie Taylor Welty (design lead)
Ben Derlan (design lead)
Students
Aliyah Murph Amanda Martell Cooper Pertchik Ella Comstock Javier Castillo Jonathan Hall Juliet Hess Luke Gannon Megan Schlief
Staff
Ann Yoachim
Nick Jenisch Brandon Surtain
