About us

IDM.Grow is an integrated program that explores alternative forms of permaculture while carving out a space for designers to develop technologies, products, methods or systems to facilitate urban gardening. Aimed at designing creative solutions for various gardening challenges, this program works directly with community partners to foster an environment where students actively engage with end users to create implementable designs. The program operates between two main sites. The Urban Food Lab located in the MakerSpace serves as a testing space for a selection of projects. The second site is the IDM.Grow Wall —   a physical manifestation of the program that sits at the entrance to the department, promoting green spaces and their positive effects on people’s health and well-being.

Yield from the vertical garden and germination station will be shared with the department and local partners, while flowers grown on site can be placed around the third floor to help decorate and invigorate the space. IDM.Grow also offers programming; lectures and workshops related to urban gardening, food access and agricultural innovation will be provided to help involve and inform the IDM community IDM.Grow aims to reflect the core principles of the department by promoting an educational program that is committed to sustainability and social justice, while providing students the opportunity to actively engage in an impact-led design process.