Polluted Pastures: An Agriculture & Water Research Centre in Lumbutts
Polluted Pastures is a transformative thesis project that reimagines the underutilised Lumbutts Water Tower. Located in a valley between Todmorden and Stoodley Pike Monument, the project addresses how architectural interventions can foster sustainable relationships between agriculture, people, and land, while supporting a wider culture of commons. By mixing private residential spaces with public, the site becomes a central hub for dairy farming learning and water research centre combined with community engagement and local farmers market.
The proposal revitalises the Lumbutts Water Tower, integrating new routes, connections to water, and a communal courtyard. The design elements of the project include a reimagined Water Tower that maintains its historical significance while creating spaces for water conservation and sustainable practices. A unique water path running through all three buildings symbolises the cyclical nature of water use in agriculture, connecting all buildings and demonstrating the dairy process and dairy farming impact to rivers.
The new barn incorporates sustainable design principles, facilitating livestock movement and seasonal ventilation. The ground floor will serve as a learning space, hosting workshops on historical cheese-making processes and traditional cow-milking activities for locals and school children. Through collaboration with Incredible Farm and the local community, the project explores the relationship between buildings, people, processes, and land, emphasising sustainable land use and water management. It aims to address social, economic, and environmental challenges, drawing inspiration from successful initiatives like Incredible Edible in Todmorden.
