AMS Caterpillars
Team members
Matias Cardoso
Master
Wageningen University & Research, TU Delft
Jennifer Moore
Master
University of Hohenheim
Gabriel Aranda Morales
Master
Wageningen University&Research
Michiel van Selm
Master
Wageningen University& Research, Delft University of Technology
Ruben Smolders
Master
WUR / TU Delft
Gayathri Angou
Master
TU Delft and WUR
Ludo van Muilekom
Master
AMS Institute
Jan-Joris van der Plas
Master
Delft University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research
Julie Noorman
Master
TU Delft & Wageningen University & Research
Simon Drolsbach
Master
Wageningen University & Research
Roel Sipkema
Master
Wageningen University & Research and TU Delft
Stijn van den Berg
Master
Wageningen University
Kyra Koning
Master
Wageningen University & Research
Mees Deknatel
Master
Wageningen University & Research
Sofia Valentini
Master
TU Delft & Wageningen
Beatrice Agnese Molteni
Master
AMS Institute
Wouter Stout
Master
Wageningen University
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About us
All of us are students of the Master Metropolitan Analysis, Design and Engineering at the AMS Institute. Coming from varying backgrounds we are studying sustainable urban design. We hope to achieve social impact with our plans.
Artist impression of the site & indoor production structure
One-liner that describes the essence of your project
Fostering community spirit through an adaptive, self-sustaining urban farm that ensures local food security and economic viability, infrastructure longevity and meaningful public space.
Total concept pitch
Guided by our vision, we propose a holistic concept design. It incorporates the social, organizational, agricultural, economic, and spatial elements needed to establish an innovative, self-sustaining urban farm that improves food access and social cohesion of Ward 7, DC. The AMS Caterpillars aim to trigger a Butterfly Effect. Our proposal is the single flap of a wing of a butterfly, which sets in motion a chain of events. The concept implemented by the community establishes a flourishing urban farm and educational hub for Ward 7. The building outlines a butterfly, and we want to let the community fill in its vibrant colors. Our community-centered design draws from AMS Institute’s Living Lab approach that brings research into society-wide implementation through incorporating co-creation of different disciplines and stakeholders. The AMS Caterpillars consider these five topics to be our unique differentiators: Living-Lab approach Connecting education, research, food production and economics through continuous learning Year-round food production, soil enhancement and education Polyculture crops, outdoor and indoor growing for culturally appropriate & climate sensitive crops, and greenhouse dedicated to research & education. Circularity and sustainable design Circular food waste to energy cycle for powering the greenhouse and building. Other innovations are timber construction, efficient HVAC like geothermal heat pumps, passive design, anaerobic digestion, and on-site renewables. Organizational structure & economic plan 501(c)(3) non-profit, unique partnerships for revenue generation, funding start-ups. Internal Integrated Design Framework (IDF) A design process that bridges socio-technical disciplines Our social-impact design is based upon integrating community needs & challenge outcomes with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, we draw on inspiration from urban farms in the US and state-of-the-art innovations developed in Amsterdam. Our proposed combination of SDG alignment, interdisciplinary high-tech proposals, and global inspirations increases access to fresh produce, meaningful public space, and economic opportunity, contributing to improving the quality of life. Our concept embodies the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to butterfly, and the core of our mission is to preserve and support community spirit. We hope to provide the cocoon from which Ward 7’s butterflies can blossom.