Part 3/11:
Chris’s approach is deeply experiential. At workshops, students craft floating gardens inspired by ancient chinampas—the Mexican floating farms that have sustained fertility for centuries. Using plastic bottles, they experiment with buoyant modules, testing their stability and water retention capabilities, all while grappling with real-world challenges such as water leakage, material degradation, and saltwater corrosion.
Early prototypes reveal both the promise and limitations of simple floatable systems. Despite setbacks—like a prototype that initially sank—they learn invaluable lessons about physics, materials, and design. These small-scale experiments are critical stepping stones toward building resilient, sustainable floating food systems.