A Utopian Design

Lyndsay Watkins wondered if we could “reset” the relationship between humans and the planet by encouraging urban food crop production.

Enter Biotopia, a vision focused on stimulating biosphere backyards in urban locations.

In Biotopia, water purification, growing your own food in rooftop gardens and atmosphere improving backyards are the norm. The concept, which Watkins said is “incredibly utopic,” emerged from an eight-week design studio student research project and has roots in the history of the agriculture and lifestyle of Boise before modern-day developments.

I want to help build a sustainable and successful future for Idaho and the Earth. Lyndsay Watkins

“I wanted to reimagine what the lifestyle of Boise residents might look like in a futuristic and environmentally-considered setting,” the Boise native said.

Watkins, who worked with the Integrated Design Lab and graduate students in the Architecture Program, said the project altered the way she thinks about architecture.

“I want to help build a sustainable and successful future for Idaho and the Earth,” she said.

Article by Kassandra Tuten, University Communications and Marketing.

Published in the Spring 2021 issue of Here We Have Idaho.