CHALLENGE OVERVIEW

Design is a means by which to create a real impact.  Good design is meant to be universal, shared by everyone.  The Interior Architecture + Design (IAD) program at The George Washington University (GWU) truly believes this.  To give back to the community, we are hosting a design charrette in partnership with DC Central Kitchen (DCCK), focusing on their Healthy Corners program.

Healthy Corners is a food distribution program where DCCK partners with interested corner stores in food deserts in the DC area.  A food desert, by Healthy Corners’ definition, is a “neighborhood lacking access to full-scale grocery stores.”  In DC specifically, deserts are found primarily in the Northeast and Southeast sectors of the city.  For example, Ward 8 has a ration of approximately 7000 people to 1 grocery store.  Comparatively, Ward 3 (Bethesda area), has a ratio of about 3000 people to 1 grocery store.  Affordability and walkability also factor into defining a region as a food desert.

In order to address this growing problem, Healthy Corners recruits local corner stores to stock healthier options.  Partner stores order fresh produce, healthy snacks, and soups in varying quantities from Healthy Corners, allowing them the freedom to order as much or as little as they believe they can sell.  In turn, new, healthy options are introduced and encouraged in areas frequently precluded from enjoying nourishing products due to cost considerations.  Typical options include fresh fruits and vegetables, pre-packaged dried fruits, and trail mix. 

There still exists a real challenge, however.  Marketing of these products is often poor, and the Healthy Corners items are stocked in back corners, hidden between sugary sodas, candy, and cigarettes.  The goal of this charrette is to create a designated space within the partner stores to display Healthy Corners’ products.  The design challenge is really twofold: create a modular unit that can be configured to meet the needs of all partner stores as well as develop a branding strategy.  How can the design encourage further consumption of healthy products?

Charrette participants will need to consider cultural context, display options, and signage.  Possible questions to address include:

• What is the right messaging for these products?
• How can the design positively affect customer decision-making?
• Should the display modules be custom or created from prefabricated modules?
• How can the module easily adapt to different circumstances?

The important things are to be creative, have fun, and make a difference!