One of the most basic and ancient forms of human technology, bread is the result of generations of humans transforming the elements of water, flour, and salt. A food that transcends race, creed, and culture, the process of creating this staple food is an artistic and creative means to bring communities together. Raymond Olive draws upon the magical force of baking through the construction of his Mobile Bread House. Intended as a joyous social experiment, the MBH is outfitted with an oven, sink, table, and storage on top of a trailer ready to hit the road.

mobile bread house, bread, raymond oliver, princeton, modular, recycled

The MBH is based upon the B Home and is composed of a hexagonal structure created from pallets atop a boat trailer. Made from materials discarded around Princeton University, the building takes advantage of global supply chains to bring and leave scraps for construction. The space features a “Cultural Shift Table” that acts as a collective space to knead dough, socialize, and make personal connections. The shape of the modular interior fosters intimate communication through proximity, yet it is also transparent enough to avoid feeling trapped. The table is set next to a Living Bread Archive that preserves a small piece as a symbol of the community that was formed by its creation. A Rocket Stove/bread oven, hand-fabricated sink, and recycled bottle chandelier give the MBH a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Incorporating elements of geometry such as the Golden Rectangle and architectural history that hearkens classic tea houses, the MBH seeks to fuse the past with the present. Rescued materials vary the color and tone of the structure, making for a diverse visual impact that mirrors the project’s philosophical intention. Powerful in its ability to bring groups closer together in the pursuit of nourishing the body, the MBG also feeds the soul.

+ Raymond Olive