BEFORE I'm sure you've heard it before from a farmer, If I retire I'll die. Those farmers just don't know how to take a day off, let alone retire. Not to mention that most farmers don't want to move to town. So what options are left? move in with you on the home farm?!? If you're looking for an alternative, this might be it. Prince Andrew public elementary school in Bryanston has been empty for many years. It is prime time for someone to adaptively reuse this building. The school is home to the annual fireworks, soccer and basketball games, the annual bike rodeo, and many more events. Image retiring to a place that is still full of life, located in the county, and has community and assistance. The school is a typical 60's school that taught junior kindergarteners to grade 8. That's 10+ living units, plus a library or new community hall, and even a gym for those who like to dance! The location is also ideal, on Highbury Avenue, it's less than 15 minutes to London for groceries, doctor's appointments, etc. and not too far away from the grand kids! In fact the property has baseball fields and soccer fields so there is room to kick them out of the house to run around when they stay the weekend, and entertainment during the dull summer weeknights! A little TLC, vision, and an operator could make this a great place for the farmers to retire to. And I'm sure this is not the only elementary school that no longer has a purpose in life.
AFTERPart of the Crazy Ideas Series, exploring rural revitalization projects. Feel free to contact me, VELD architect if your interested in pursuing one of these crazy ideas!
BEFORE I'm sure you've heard it before from a farmer, If I retire I'll die. Those farmers just don't know how to take a day off, let alone retire. Not to mention that most farmers don't want to move to town. So what options are left? move in with you on the home farm?!? If you're looking for an alternative, this might be it. Prince Andrew public elementary school in Bryanston has been empty for many years. It is prime time for someone to adaptively reuse this building. The school is home to the annual fireworks, soccer and basketball games, the annual bike rodeo, and many more events. Image retiring to a place that is still full of life, located in the county, and has community and assistance. The school is a typical 60's school that taught junior kindergarteners to grade 8. That's 10+ living units, plus a library or new community hall, and even a gym for those who like to dance! The location is also ideal, on Highbury Avenue, it's less than 15 minutes to London for groceries, doctor's appointments, etc. and not too far away from the grand kids! In fact the property has baseball fields and soccer fields so there is room to kick them out of the house to run around when they stay the weekend, and entertainment during the dull summer weeknights! A little TLC, vision, and an operator could make this a great place for the farmers to retire to. And I'm sure this is not the only elementary school that no longer has a purpose in life. 
AFTERPart of the Crazy Ideas Series, exploring rural revitalization projects. Feel free to contact me, VELD architect if your interested in pursuing one of these crazy ideas!