Leimert Park Community Fridge

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"This project evolves the\nnotion of a community fridge and is a volunteer project initiated by a group of\n10 young practitioners to better serve the Leimert Park community in Los\nAngeles. Supported by firm partners after forming a Design Justice Committee\nduring the COVID-19 pandemic, the team\u2019s design solution improves the life\nexpectancy of the neighborhood\u2019s existing community fridge and is a model that\ncan be easily adopted at other locations."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Working closely with\norganizers from the Leimert Park Chapter of Los Angeles Community Fridges, a\nnonprofit whose mission is to distribute free food at outdoor locations across\nthe city, the team devised a structure that expands storage and protects the\nappliance from the elements. The design comprises three modules with 85 square\nfeet of storage space and housing for the refrigerator. Both are tied together under\na simple roof of rain-proof corrugated plastic."]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"\u0022The project is a\nthoughtfully designed modular system for the sharing, display, and distribution\nof surplus grocery items, but perhaps its greatest strength is that it provides\nthe perfect participatory \u2018blank canvas\u2019 or framework for the community to\nengage, adapt and customize.\u0022 - Jury comment"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The first two modules are\nidentical in size and feature open, flexible shelving that accommodates a\nvariety of products. The third module, the smallest, serves as an endcap for\nthe structure and takes advantage of storage space that would be otherwise\nunused. Running across the top is a series of wood members connecting the\nmodules and forming a secondary structure for the roof. Overall, the modular\ndesign allows for flexible arrangement and easy replication. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cThe project is a\nthoughtfully designed modular system for the sharing, display, and distribution\nof surplus grocery items, but perhaps its greatest strength is that it provides\nthe perfect participatory \u2018blank canvas\u2019 or framework for the community to\nengage, adapt and customize,\u201d noted the jury."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The project was completed\nat little cost, and the firm donated nearly $1,700 in materials and 70 hours of\npaid staff time. In addition, the team provided an additional 174 unbilled\nhours of work on weekends during fabrication. The new fridge, painted rainbow\ncolors by community members, has been a hit, and it regularly overflows with\nfresh produce and other staples. El Sereno, a neighborhood 13 miles to the\neast, has reproduced the design for its fridge. "]]]]}