The new pop-up cafe showcases sustainable living in The Rocks, Sydney, in the first stop on a 2011 international tour.

Artist Georgina O’Connor’s impression of the Greenhouse

Greenhouse, by artist Joost Bakker, is an eco-friendly cafe built using recycled materials. Water is collected on site, waste is recycled, herbs and vegetables are grown on the roof and even the generator runs on cooking oil.

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority is bringing this installation to Sydney in partnership with Bakker to demonstrate to visitors, builders, designers and restaurateurs a wide range of sustainable practices in an urban environment.

Greenhouse has been designed and built from broken down shipping containers and packing crates, with all of its furniture, light fittings, glasses and even staff uniforms made from recycled and recyclable materials.

The walls of the building are made of straw bales, which are safe and long lasting if kept dry, while featuring a high insulation rating. Steel is also used extensively throughout the building as it is 100 per cent recyclable.

The cafe will use whole foods to make menu staples on site, including breads, pastries, pizza, yoghurt, butter and even tonic water. The menu will be served up by one of Australia’s best new talents in the kitchen, Matt Stone, and will be based on what is available locally and in season, encouraging diners to be more aware of the impact of food choices on the environment.

The installation will make its home at Campbells Cove until the end of March 2011 — with the cafe open from 7.30 am to midnight Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 10 pm Sunday. Around 1,000 customers are expected to be served daily.

Bakkerwill next take this innovative travelling restaurant to Milan for the International Furniture Fair, followed by stops in a number of other European cities.

The designer said that the installation demonstrates that technology needed to live more sustainably is now readily available.

“Sustainable development and organic food production are viable alternatives to the status quo, and in many ways, are simply a matter of choice.

“Greenhouse is an optimistic approach to life, from the buildings we inhabit to the food we eat.

“By choosing ethical, natural and easily recyclable materials we can live sustainably,” he said.

Greenhouse arrived to Campbells Cove in three 12 metre containers, which carried the building structure, stairs for the rooftop access, kitchen, bathroom, bar and staff change rooms.

The exhibition is in keeping with Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority’s ambitious plan to green The Rocks and Darling Harbour, which last year saw energy consumption slashed by nearly 21 per cent and water use by 32 per cent against year-2000 levels.

For more information visit www.greenhousebyjoost.com.

Architecture & Design Team

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