How much do you know about your urban food-print?

Photo from BLDG Blog

The guys over at BLDGBLOG are always pushing interesting information through my Google reader, and consistently pushing themselves to help us rethink our constantly evolving urban environment. Their latest project takes a chance to look at the architecture of urban food distribution, our food behaviours in our cities, social and technological innovations which changed the culinary landscape of NYC and an open forum to discuss future directions for the edible make up of the city dubbed 'the Big Apple.'

The architecture of food has been a hot topic throughout the University of Sheffield recently, and its an ever growing trend to think about production, distribution and consumption in a world with a growing demand and shrinking product. As a student of architecture, I am constantly thinking about the ever evolving responsibility of the architect and their role in society today. If we look at creatures in the wider environment, for example ants, who grow and harvest their own food, safely handle material waste (including that of other species), create their own natural medicines and disinfectants whilst maintaining the soil and constantly renourishing the ecosystem they inhabit.

It seems that understanding the deeper nature of where food comes from and how we handle it is a really good starting point. The biggest challenge for us over the next fifty years, is for the architect to seperate himself from object driven design that satisfies our artistic ego, and begin to think about and focus closer on how we are going to globally manage and distribute constrained resources. The design debate shouldn’t be as Bruce Mau states, “the world of design”, but rather, “the design of the world”.

We're going to be thinking a lot over the next few weeks about the culinary fabric that has shaped Sheffield, and the people in this city that are taking these issues into their own hands. Architecture as iconic building is becoming less important to us and we should be thinking more about the systems, flows and networks that make our city tick.

I have seen a lot of people using double exposure for quite a while now, and the novelty was beginning to wear off. They look awesome at first, but then you realise, however great they look on your Facebook or Myspace its just a blurr of colour and ones enough... for me, anyway. However, Kitsune Noir directed our attention to this interesting project run by Damon Winter, a photographer for the NY Times, where he uses double exposues to juxtapose images. Some of his photographs purely focus around light, texture, structure and form whereas further images go on to show a much deeper social commentary about his perceptions of every day life in New York City.

The thing that really struck me was his consideration for his surroundings. I like the way he questions everything and attempts in some way to give himself an understanding of his environment by constantly readdressing himself and revisiting his sites. If nothing else, they work as beautifully constructed images carefully considered and formed. However, the most chilling part is the isolation they highlight, in a series of photographs entitled 'Neighbors.'

Click here to watch the whole feature

My favourite image is the image of the meat market - it sent a chill down my spine.

I've been thinking a lot recently about what I look for in clothes, why I have purchased the things I have in the past and what I am really trying to say about myself through the way I dress. I've always had a strong feeling that 'less is more', in true Miesian style, but not in the sense of being 'minimalist', but in terms of stripping everyback to its bare essentials. I feel this is why I am so enthralled by fixed gear cycling, its just so simple... you're the motor, you are the breaks, thats it!

As a student of architecture and an amateur clothing obsessive, I feel this is a theory that can be applied further and with such aplomb. I have purchased a lot of pieces in the past that are questionable and on the most part, embarrassing. 2010 is the year that this stops. I am not ashamed, and I do not regret these choices, because they have helped me come to the decision I have reached. What I want to show about myself is not an understanding of fashion or trends, but an appreciation and respect to craft, material and culture.

With this in mind, I have thinking about a staple wardrobe, the five pieces that I think would satisfy my desire for style, but also show my appreciation for craft and material. The pieces my wardrobe will be including:

Raw denim
Hand made shoes (preferably English)
Oxford shirts
Knitwear - cashmere for spring and autumn and wool for winter
A great watch - I currently wear a Breitling Colt series

I live in a city, and I spend a lot of time on foot so I want comfort and I want longevity from the things I wear, as well as products that are crafted with empathy and spirit. On top of this, I want to tell a story. This is why I love raw denim so much, because you have to work hard for them, and really push every stitch to its limit to get the best results.

I have said it before, but style is timeless, and fashion is not. We don't see people still looking good in flared cords, but pull out your parents oxford shirts from twenty years ago and they look timeless. I don't recommend wearing the same clothes every day, but there is nothing wrong with a staple wardrobe.