William McDonough + Partners (WM+P) is pleased to announce its recent Special Recognition Award from Green Roofs For Healthy Cities (GRHC) for its design of The South Side Soapbox. The award will officially be presented on September 27 during GRHC’s CitiesAlive conference in New York City and recognizes the integration of Gotham Greens’ rooftop greenhouse with Method’s high-performance, urban factory.
Method’s manufacturing facility, located in the historic Pullman neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, is positioned in what is commonly referred to as a “food desert.” The South Side Soapbox is the first factory to open there in nearly 30 years and serves as both a symbol of economic revitalization and a transition to industrial agriculture.
“William McDonough + Partners’ factory design for Method’s South Side Soapbox honors a positive relationship between people and the natural world,” said William McDonough, Founder, William McDonough + Partners. “Our introduction of Method to Gotham Greens has resulted in a building like a tree or even an orchard. It produces oxygen, absorbs carbon, purifies water, produces food and transforms solar energy. It is wonderful to see businesses collaborating to help people have beautifully clean, healthy places to live, work and even grow food!”
Gotham Greens’ 75,000 sf rooftop greenhouse, the world’s largest at the time of construction, is a significant component of Method’s commitment to sustainability. Method shares Cradle to Cradle Certified™ products with the world from their factory, while Gotham’s greenhouse provides local, organic greens to the area.