Architecture Students Named Winners in AIA Student Design Competition
Joppy Momma’s Farm, a Master Plan and Outdoor Classroom designed and built by UTA students, has redefined the possibilities of socially conscious design. Located in Joppa, a historic freedman’s town in southeast Dallas, the project addresses food insecurity, environmental sustainability, and community connection in an area designated as a federally declared food desert.
The project began in the fall of 2021 as part of UTA’s hands-on architecture program, with students engaging deeply with the Joppa community to shape the design. Their work included neighborhood research, community events, material experimentation, and prototype construction. Over three semesters, the students partnered with local residents to create a space that reflects the neighborhood’s cultural heritage and addresses its modern challenges.
Honoring Heritage, Embracing Sustainability
Joppa, founded in 1872, is a community with deep cultural significance but limited resources. Over the years, development efforts erased much of the neighborhood’s architectural identity, including its iconic shotgun houses. The UTA team sought to honor that heritage by designing a pavilion inspired by the shotgun house form.
Using reclaimed wood from demolished homes, the pavilion provides a shaded, flexible space for gathering, education, and community events. It also integrates seamlessly with the adjacent farm, creating a visual and functional connection between the classroom environment and gardening activities.
The design prioritizes sustainability, incorporating rainwater harvesting, solar energy systems, and recycled materials. Shipping containers were repurposed into office spaces and produce stands, while the pavilion itself was designed for future adaptability, emphasizing deconstruction and reuse principles.
The project’s design also ties into the neighborhood’s history. According to the students’ submission, the pavilion structure “is inspired by the historic shotgun houses of the neighborhood,” with its form and use of reclaimed materials reflecting the community’s architectural heritage.
Empowering the Community
The UTA students worked closely with Joppa residents to ensure the project met the community’s needs. Initial surveys and feedback sessions revealed priorities like job training, educational opportunities, and a place for neighbors to connect.
“Design began by researching the community’s places, people, and history to try to understand Joppy as completely as possible before proposing design solutions,” students noted in the project’s timeline. Community engagement events allowed residents to share their visions and needs, directly shaping the farm’s programming and design.
The resulting design includes an outdoor classroom where children can learn about gardening and sustainable practices, a farmstand for distributing produce, and a communal pavilion for events and workshops. These spaces not only provide practical resources but also foster a sense of pride and ownership among Joppa residents.
The final community engagement event, organized by Joppy Momma’s Farm, provided an opportunity for residents to approve and celebrate the finalized design.
A Lasting Impact
Joppy Momma’s Farm is already making a difference in the Joppa community, serving as a central hub for education, connection, and sustainability. The project’s recognition by AIA Dallas highlights its innovative approach to addressing systemic challenges while preserving cultural heritage.
The pavilion, with its combination of thoughtful design and environmental responsibility, is a model for how student-led architecture projects can transform communities. As the farm continues to thrive, it stands as a lasting testament to the power of collaboration, sustainability, and culturally responsive design.