heirloom seed vault - resilient communities
The aim of this project was to create a speculative artifact with the needs of future communities in mind. The prototype is inspired by centuries-old seed-trading and sharing economies. It is designed for communities who must depend on low-scale agriculture models. In response to the heavily-insulated Svalbard seed vault, which now stores the bulk of world food crops, it adopts a decentralized form of cultivation and preservation.
An earlier version of this project is featured in 2022 Pratt Earth Action Week’s online exhibition.
With the looming threat of global crop failure, endemic seeds can be cultivated by locals for food. The vault is intended to promote a culture around trade and cultivation in a localized system. It is designed to be handled and passed down in individual households– contrary to the centralized monopoly system of the Svalbard seed vault. Seeds are categorized by drought-resistant capabilities, as well as the ability to sustain fluctuating conditions and temperatures. The artifact is directly suited for regenerative farming and can be used in both rural and urban farming environments.