URBAN - AGRI STATION

VERTICAL FARMING AND

AGRO TOURISM CENTER

INTRODUCTION
SYNOPSIS

[Link] FARMING
Todays farming is unsustainable and not lucrative wasting money and resources in
land, labor, shipping, and water costs. Farms take up a lot of land and must ship
their products far distances to get the customer.
Another problem modern day farms are they can only grow certain crops when in
season making product prices in the off season skyrocket.
Organic produce has been a big trend for consumer purchasing in the past years
and these products usually cost more money due to not using nutrients pesticides
on the plants.
Farmiculture is the alternative solution to these problems creating an environment
and location for fresh produce with low shipping distance at a low price. Using
vertical farming , we can outfit green houses on leased land, stacking grow fields
within the facility and using hydroponics to grow the crops.
Farmiculture will use will use pvc piping and water pumps to create a hydroponic
system on a greater system to produce organic crops.
2. HYDROPONICS

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. The
method can be implemented in places where the soil type is not ideal for the desired crop. In addition,
the technique can be used in roof top farming and therefore is very useful in areas with limited space
such as urban areas.
Advantages

No soil is needed so there is no crop limitation due to soil type, eroded or diseased soils.

Water can be recycled so it is advantageous in drought prone areas or deserts.

No nutrition waste due to water run-off which in turn can lead to eutrophication.

Higher and stable yields because the plants does not expend too much energy in finding
nutrients in the soil thus this energy is invested into the growth of the [Link] in soil plants compete
with weed for food and water but in hydroponics the adequate nutrients are delivered straight to the
roots.

Less frequent occurrence of diseases because of the absence of soil which a bacteria growth
media

Due to container mobility hydroponics enables the farmer to grow crops near the area of use
thus reducing transportation costs.

Labor intensive work such as tilling, cultivating, fumigation, and watering is not required for
hydroponic farming (Jones, 1997). And as for advanced hydroponics the system is usually automated
using pumps or even computers, labor costs will decrease dramatically.

The simplified hydroponic technique is easy to understand and does not require any prior
knowledge to achieve concrete results.

3. AEROPONICS:
Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without
the use of soil or an aggregate medium (known asgeoponics). The word "aeroponic"
is derived from the Greek meanings of aero- (air) and ponos (labour). Aeroponic
culture differs from both conventional hydroponics, aquaponics, and in-vitro (plant
tissue culture) growing. Unlike hydroponics, which uses a liquid nutrient solution as
a growing medium and essential minerals to sustain plant growth; or aquaponics
which uses water and fish waste, aeroponics is conducted without a growing

medium. Because water is used in aeroponics to transmit nutrients, it is sometimes

considered a type of hydroponics.
Soon after its development, aeroponics took hold as a valuable research tool.
Aeroponics offered researchers a noninvasive way to examine roots under
development. This new technology also allowed researchers a larger number and a
wider range of experimental parameters to use in their work.
The ability to precisely control the root zone moisture levels and the amount of
water delivered makes aeroponics ideally suited for the study of water stress. K.
Hubick evaluated aeroponics as a means to produce consistent, minimally waterstressed plants for use in drought or flood physiology experiments.
Aeroponics is the ideal tool for the study of root morphology. The absence of
aggregates offers researchers easy access to the entire, intact root structure
without the damage that can be caused by removal of roots from soils or
aggregates. Its been noted that aeroponics produces more normal root systems
than hydroponics.

4. DRY FARMING:
Dry farming, also called Dryland Farming, the cultivation of crops without
irrigation in regions of limited moisture, typically less than 20 inches (50
centimetres) of precipitation annually. Dry farming depends upon efficient storage of
the limited moisture in the soil and the selection of crops and growing methods that
make the best use of this moisture. Tilling the land shortly after harvest and keeping
it free from weeds are typical methods, but in certain latitudes stubble is left in the
fields after harvest to trap snow. Moisture control during crop growing consists
largely of destruction of weeds and prevention of runoff. The ideal soil surface is
free of weeds but has enough clods or dead vegetable matter to hinder runoff and
prevent erosion.
Crops adapted to dry farming may be either drought resistant or drought evasive.
Drought-resistant crops, such as sorghum, are able to reduce transpiration
(emission of moisture) and may nearly cease growing during periods of moisture
shortage, resuming growth when conditions again become favourable. Drought-

evasive crops achieve their main growth during times of year when heat and
drought conditions are not severe. Crops adapted to dry farming are usually smaller
and quicker to mature than those grown under more humid conditions and are
usually allotted more space.

5. AGRICULTURAL PARK:
An Agricultural Park or Ag Park is a combination of a working farm and a municipal
park that is located at the urban edge. Ag Parks can serve as transition or buffer
zones between urban and agricultural uses. They are designed for multiple uses
that accommodate small farms, public areas and natural habitat. They allow small
farm operations access to secure land and local markets. They provide fresh food,
and an educational, environmental and aesthetic amenity for nearby communities.
Ag Parks can be located on either public or private land, vary in acreage, host single
or multiple tenants, and have a variety of both agricultural and park components.

5. AGRO-TOURISM:
Agritourism or agrotourism, as it is defined most broadly, involves
any agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to afarm or ranch.
Agritourism has different definitions in different parts of the world, and sometimes
refers specifically to farm stays. Elsewhere, agritourism includes a wide variety of
activities, including buying produce direct from a farm stand, navigating a corn
maze, picking fruit, feeding animals, or staying at a B&B on a farm.
Agritourism is a form of niche tourism that is considered a growth industry in many
parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, the United States, and the
Philippines. Other terms associated with agritourism are "agritainment", "value
added products", "farm direct marketing" and "sustainable agriculture".

METHODOLOGY:
LITERATURE STUDIES:

Terminologies and technical study

Articles reasoning to vertical farming and agro- tourism in Maharashtra.

TERMINOLOGIES AND TECHNICAL STUDIES

AEROPONICS

Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without

the use of soil or an aggregate medium (known as geoponics). The word "aeroponic"
is derived from the Greek meanings of aero- (air) and ponos (labour).
The basic principle of aeroponic growing is to grow plants suspended in a closed or
semi-closed environment by spraying the plant's dangling roots and lower stem with
an atomized or sprayed, nutrient-rich water solution.
The leaves and crown, often called the "canopy", extend above. The roots of the
plant are separated by the plant support structure.
Many times closed cell foam is compressed around the lower stem and inserted into
an opening in the aeroponic chamber, which decreases labor and expense; for
larger plants, trellising is used to suspend the weight of vegetation and fruit.
Ideally, the environment is kept free from pests and disease so that the plants may
grow healthier and more quickly than plants grown in a medium.
However, since most aeroponic environments are not perfectly closed off to the
outside, pests and disease may still cause a threat.
Controlled environments advance plant development, health, growth, flowering and
fruiting for any given plant species and cultivars.
Types of aeroponic units

Low-pressure units

In most low-pressure aeroponic gardens, the plant roots are suspended above
a reservoir of nutrient solution or inside a channel connected to a reservoir.
A low-pressure pump delivers nutrient solution via jets or by ultrasonic transducers,
which then drips or drains back into the reservoir.
As plants grow to maturity in these units they tend to suffer from dry sections of
the root systems, which prevent adequate nutrient uptake.
These units, because of cost, lack features to purify the nutrient solution, and
adequately remove incontinuities, debris, and unwanted pathogens.

Such units are usually suitable for bench top growing and demonstrating the
principles of aeroponics.

High-pressure devices

High-pressure aeroponic techniques, where the mist is generated by high-pressure

pump(s), are typically used in the cultivation of high value crops and plant
specimens that can offset the high setup costs associated with this method
of horticulture.
Since the late 2000s, home indoor gardeners have had access to simple high
pressure aeroponic (HPA) systems at affordable prices.
High-pressure aeroponics systems include technologies for air and water
purification, nutrient sterilization, low-mass polymers and pressurized nutrient
delivery systems.

Commercial systems

Commercial aeroponic systems comprise high-pressure device hardware and

biological systems. The biological systems matrix includes enhancements for
extended plant life and crop maturation.
Biological subsystems and hardware components include effluent controls systems,
disease prevention, pathogen resistance features, precision timing and nutrient
solution pressurization, heating and cooling sensors, thermal control of solutions,
efficient photon-flux light arrays, spectrum filtration spanning, fail-safe sensors and
protection, reduced maintenance & labor saving features, and ergonomics and longterm reliability features.
Commercial aeroponic systems, like the high-pressure devices, are used for the
cultivation of high value crops where multiple crop rotations are achieved on an
ongoing commercial basis.
Advanced commercial systems include data gathering, monitoring, and
analytical feedback and internet connections to various subsystems.

NASA aeroponic lettuce seed germination- Day 3

BENEFITS OF USE:

Less nutrient solution throughput

NASA aeroponic lettuce seed germination- Day 12

Plants grown using aeroponics spend 99.98% of their time in air and 0.02% in direct
contact with hydro-atomized nutrient solution.
The time spent without water allows the roots to capture oxygen more efficiently.
Furthermore, the hydro-atomized mist also significantly contributes to the effective
oxygenation of the roots.

For example, NFT has a nutrient throughput of 1 liter per minute compared to
aeroponics throughput of 1.5 milliliters per minute.
The reduced volume of nutrient throughput results in reduced amounts of nutrients
required for plant development.
Another benefit of the reduced throughput, of major significance for space-based
use, is the reduction in water volume used.
This reduction in water volume throughput corresponds with a reduced buffer
volume, both of which significantly lighten the weight needed to maintain plant
growth.
In addition, the volume of effluent from the plants is also reduced with aeroponics,
reducing the amount of water that needs to be treated before reuse.
The relatively low solution volumes used in aeroponics, coupled with the minimal
amount of time that the roots are exposed to the hydro-atomized mist, minimizes
root-to-root contact and spread of pathogens between plants.

Greater control of plant environment

NASA aeroponic lettuce seed germination (close-up of root zone environment)- Day
19
Aeroponics allows more control of the environment around the root zone, as, unlike
other plant growth systems, the plant roots are not constantly surrounded by some
medium (as, for example, with hydroponics, where the roots are constantly
immersed in water).

Improved nutrient feeding

A variety of different nutrient solutions can be administered to the root zone using
aeroponics without needing to flush out any solution or matrix in which the roots
had previously been immersed. This elevated level of control would be useful when
researching the effect of a varied regimen of nutrient application to the roots of a
plant species of interest. In a similar manner, aeroponics allows a greater range of
growth conditions than other nutrient delivery systems. The interval and duration of
the nutrient spray, for example, can be very finely attuned to the needs of a specific
plant species. The aerial tissue can be subjected to a completely different
environment from that of the roots.

User-friendly

The design of an aeroponic system allows ease of working with the plants. This
results from the separation of the plants from each other, and the fact that the
plants are suspended in air and the roots are not entrapped in any kind of matrix.
Consequently, the harvesting of individual plants is quite simple and
straightforward. Likewise, removal of any plant that may be infected with some type
of pathogen is easily accomplished without risk of uprooting or contaminating
nearby plants.

Cost effective

Close-up of aeroponically grown corn and roots inside an aeroponic (air-culture)

apparatus, 2005

Aeroponic systems are more cost effective than other systems. Because of the
reduced volume of solution throughput (discussed above), less water and less
nutrients are needed in the system at any given time compared to other nutrient
delivery systems. The need for substrates is also eliminated, as is the need for
many moving parts.

Use of seed stocks

With aeroponics, the deleterious effects of seed stocks that are infected with
pathogens can be minimized. As discussed above, this is due to the separation of
the plants and the lack of shared growth matrix. In addition, due to the enclosed,
controlled environment, aeroponics can be an ideal growth system in which to grow
seed stocks that are pathogen-free. The enclosing of the growth chamber, in
addition to the isolation of the plants from each other discussed above, helps to
both prevent initial contamination from pathogens introduced from the external
environment and minimize the spread from one plant to others of any pathogens
that may exist.

Requirements for optimal growth to be facilitated:

Adequate air venting and exchange.

Adequate delivery of fresh clean water free of heavy levels of sulfur and
calcium (75 psi min. water pressure)

Light (natural sun or sufficient levels of artificial light that approach natural
conditions)

Adequate heating and cooling (minimum room temperature 65 degrees F and

maximum 90 degrees F)

Adequate sanitary conditions (free of pathogens and insects)

One complete Aeroponic system includes:

High pressure pump unit w/ compact accumulator, digital timer &

controller (fixed interval& duration: 3 minute OFF and 3 second spray)

14 hydro-atomizing spray jets micro-filtration

Aeroponic chamber(48 in. Long x 18 in. wide x 16 inches deep)

w/ 160 plants support structures, stand, nutrient recycling reservoir (3-gal) w/

lid and

Optional Equipment

pH Meter

TDS Meter

Greenhouse Design
Careful planning is important before a home greenhouse project is started. Building
a greenhouse does not need to be expensive or time-consuming. The final choice of
the type of greenhouse will depend on the growing space desired, home
architecture, available sites, and costs. The greenhouse must, however, provide the
proper environment for growing plants.
Location
The greenhouse should be located where it gets maximum sunlight. The first choice
of location is the south or southeast side of a building or shade trees. Sunlight all
day is best, but morning sunlight on the east side is sufficient for plants. Morning
sunlight is most desirable because it allows the plant's food production process to
begin early; thus growth is maximized. An east side location captures the most
November to February sunlight. The next best sites are southwest and west of major
structures, where plants receive sunlight later in the day. North of major structures
is the least desirable location and is good only for plants that require little light.
Deciduous trees, such as maple and oak, can effectively shade the greenhouse from
the intense late afternoon summer sun; however, they should not shade the
greenhouse in the morning. Deciduous trees also allow maximum exposure to the
winter sun because they shed their leaves in the fall. Evergreen trees that have
foliage year round should not be located where they will shade the greenhouse
because they will block the less intense winter sun. You should aim to maximize
winter sun exposure, particularly if the greenhouse is used all year. Remember that
the sun is lower in the southern sky in winter causing long shadows to be cast by
buildings and evergreen trees (Figure 1).

Good drainage is another requirement for the site. When necessary, build the
greenhouse above the surrounding ground so rainwater and irrigation water will
drain away. Other site considerations include the light requirements of the plants to
be grown; locations of sources of heat, water, and electricity; and shelter from
winter wind. Access to the greenhouse should be convenient for both people and
utilities. A workplace for potting plants and a storage area for supplies should be
nearby.
Types of Greenhouses
A home greenhouse can be attached to a house or garage, or it can be a
freestanding structure. The chosen site and personal preference can dictate the
choices to be considered. An attached greenhouse can be a half greenhouse, a fullsize structure, or an extended window structure. There are advantages and
disadvantages to each type.
Attached Greenhouses
Lean-to. A lean-to greenhouse is a half greenhouse, split along the peak of the roof,
or ridge line (Figure 2A), Lean-tos are useful where space is limited to a width of
approximately seven to twelve feet, and they are the least expensive structures.
The ridge of the lean-to is attached to a building using one side and an existing
doorway, if available. Lean-tos are close to available electricity, water and heat. The
disadvantages include some limitations on space, sunlight, ventilation, and
temperature control. The height of the supporting wall limits the potential size of
the lean-to. The wider the lean-to, the higher the supporting wall must be.
Temperature control is more difficult because the wall that the greenhouse is built
on may collect the sun's heat while the translucent cover of the greenhouse may

lose heat rapidly. The lean-to should face the best direction for adequate sun
exposure. Finally, consider the location of windows and doors on the supporting
structure and remember that snow, ice, or heavy rain might slide off the roof or the
house onto the structure.

Even-span. An even-span is a full-size structure that has one gable end attached to
another building (Figure 2B). It is usually the largest and most costly option, but it
provides more usable space and can be lengthened. The even-span has a better
shape than a lean-to for air circulation to maintain uniform temperatures during the
winter heating season. An even-span can accommodate two to three benches for
growing crops.

Window-mounted. A window-mounted greenhouse can be attached on the south

or east side of a house. This glass enclosure gives space for conveniently growing a
few plants at relatively low cost (Figure 2D). The special window extends outward
from the house a foot or so and can contain two or three shelves.

Freestanding Structures
Freestanding greenhouses are separate structures; they can be set apart from other
buildings to get more sun and can be made as large or small as desired (Figure 2C).
A separate heating system is needed, and electricity and water must be installed.

The lowest cost per square foot of growing space is generally available in a
freestanding or even-span greenhouse that is 17 to 18 feet wide. It can house a
central bench, two side benches, and two walkways. The ratio of cost to the usable
growing space is good.

When deciding on the type of structure, be sure to plan for adequate bench space,
storage space, and room for future expansion. Large greenhouses are easier to
manage because temperatures in small greenhouses fluctuate more rapidly. Small
greenhouses have a large exposed area through which heat is lost or gained, and
the air volume inside is relatively small; therefore, the air temperature changes
quickly in a small greenhouse. Suggested minimum sizes are 6 feet wide by 12 feet
long for an even-span or freestanding greenhouse.
Structural Materials
A good selection of commercial greenhouse frames and framing materials is
available. The frames are made of wood, galvanized steel, or aluminum. Build-ityourself greenhouse plans are usually for structures with wood or metal pipe
frames. Plastic pipe materials generally are inadequate to meet snow and wind load
requirements. Frames can be covered with glass, rigid fiberglass, rigid double-wall
plastics, or plastic film. All have advantages and disadvantages. Each of these
materials should be considered--it pays to shop around for ideas.
Frames
Greenhouse frames range from simple to complex, depending on the imagination of
the designer and engineering requirements. The following are several common
frames (Figure 3).
Quonset. The Quonset is a simple and efficient construction with an electrical
conduit or galvanized steel pipe frame. The frame is circular and usually covered
with plastic sheeting. Quonset sidewall height is low, which restricts storage space
and headroom.
Gothic. The gothic frame construction is similar to that of the Quonset but it has a
gothic shape (Figure 3). Wooden arches may be used and joined at the ridge. The
gothic shape allows more headroom at the sidewall than does the Quonset.

Rigid-frame. The rigid-frame structure has vertical sidewalls and rafters for a clearspan construction. There are no columns or trusses to support the roof. Glued or
nailed plywood gussets connect the sidewall supports to the rafters to make one
rigid frame. The conventional gable roof and sidewalls allow maximum interior
space and air circulation. A good foundation is required to support the lateral load
on the sidewalls.
Post and rafter and A-frame. The post and rafter is a simple construction of an
embedded post and rafters, but it requires more wood or metal than some other
designs. Strong sidewall posts and deep post embedment are required to withstand
outward rafter forces and wind pressures. Like the rigid frame, the post and rafter
design allows more space along the sidewalls and efficient air circulation. The Aframe is similar to the post and rafter construction except that a collar beam ties
the upper parts of the rafters together.
Coverings
Greenhouse coverings include long-life glass, fiberglass, rigid double-wall plastics,
and film plastics with 1- to 3-year lifespans. The type of frame and cover must be
matched correctly.
Glass. Glass is the traditional covering. It has a pleasing appearance, is inexpensive
to maintain, and has a high degree of permanency. An aluminum frame with a glass
covering provides a maintenance-free, weather-tight structure that minimizes heat
costs and retains humidity. Glass is available in many forms that would be suitable
with almost any style or architecture. Tempered glass is frequently used because it
is two or three times stronger than regular glass. Small prefabricated glass

greenhouses are available for do-it-yourself installation, but most should be built by
the manufacturer because they can be difficult to construct.
The disadvantages of glass are that it is easily broken, is initially expensive to build,
and requires must better frame construction than fiberglass or plastic. A good
foundation is required, and the frames must be strong and must fit well together to
support heavy, rigid glass.
Fiberglass. Fiberglass is lightweight, strong, and practically hailproof. A good grade
of fiberglass should be used because poor grades discolor and reduce light
penetration. Use only clear, transparent, or translucent grades for greenhouse
construction. Tedlar-coated fiberglass lasts 15 to 20 years. The resin covering the
glass fibers will eventually wear off, allowing dirt to be retained by exposed fibers. A
new coat of resin is needed after 10 to 15 years. Light penetration is initially as
good as glass but can drop off considerably over time with poor grades of fiberglass.
Double-wall plastic. Rigid double-layer plastic sheets of acrylic or polycarbonate
are available to give long-life, heat-saving covers. These covers have two layers of
rigid plastic separated by webs. The double-layer material retains more heat, so
energy savings of 30 percent are common. The acrylic is a long-life, nonyellowing
material; the polycarbonate normally yellows faster, but usually is protected by a
UV-inhibitor coating on the exposed surface. Both materials carry warranties for 10
years on their light transmission qualities. Both can be used on curved surfaces; the
polycarbonate material can be curved the most. As a general rule, each layer
reduces light by about 10 percent. About 80 percent of the light filters through
double-layer plastic, compared with 90 percent for glass.
Film plastic. Film-plastic coverings are available in several grades of quality and
several different materials. Generally, these are replaced more frequently than
other covers. Structural costs are very low because the frame can be lighter and
plastic film is inexpensive. Light transmission of these film-plastic coverings is
comparable to glass. The films are made of polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), copolymers, and other materials. A utility grade of PE that will last about a
year is available at local hardware stores. Commercial greenhouse grade PE has
ultraviolet inhibitors in it to protect against ultraviolet rays; it lasts 12 to 18 months.
Copolymers last 2 to 3 years. New additives have allowed the manufacture of film
plastics that block and reflect radiated heat back into the greenhouse, as does glass
which helps reduce heating costs. PVC or vinyl film costs two to five times as much
as PE but lasts as long as five years. However, it is available only in sheets four to
six feet wide. It attracts dust from the air, so it must be washed occasionally.
Foundations and Floors
Permanent foundations should be provided for glass, fiberglass, or the double-layer
rigid-plastic sheet materials. The manufacturer should provide plans for the

foundation construction. Most home greenhouses require a poured concrete

foundation similar to those in residential houses. Quonset greenhouses with pipe
frames and a plastic cover use posts driven into the ground.
Permanent flooring is not recommended because it may stay wet and slippery from
soil mix media. A concrete, gravel, or stone walkway 24 to 36 inches wide can be
built for easy access to the plants. The rest of the floor should be covered by several
inches of gravel for drainage of excess water. Water also can be sprayed on the
gravel to produce humidity in the greenhouse.
Environmental Systems
Greenhouses provide a shelter in which a suitable environment is maintained for
plants. Solar energy from the sun provides sunlight and some heat, but you must
provide a system to regulate the environment in your greenhouse. This is done by
using heaters, fans, thermostats, and other equipment.
Heating
The heating requirements of a greenhouse depend on the desired temperature for
the plants grown, the location and construction of the greenhouse, and the total
outside exposed area of the structure. As much as 25 percent of the daily heat
requirement may come from the sun, but a lightly insulated greenhouse structure
will need a great deal of heat on a cold winter night. The heating system must be
adequate to maintain the desired day or night temperature.
Usually the home heating system is not adequate to heat an adjacent greenhouse.
A 220-volt circuit electric heater, however, is clean, efficient, and works well. Small
gas or oil heaters designed to be installed through a masonry wall also work well.
Solar-heater greenhouses were popular briefly during the energy crisis, but they did
not prove to be economical to use. Separate solar collection and storage systems
are large and require much space. However, greenhouse owners can experiment
with heat-collecting methods to reduce fossil-fuel consumption. One method is to
paint containers black to attract heat, and fill them with water to retain it. However,
because the greenhouse air temperature must be kept at plant-growing
temperatures, the greenhouse itself is not a good solar-heat collector.
Heating systems can be fueled by electricity, gas, oil, or wood. The heat can be
distributed by forced hot air, radiant heat, hot water, or steam. The choice of a
heating system and fuel depends on what is locally available, the production
requirements of the plants, cost, and individual choice. For safety purposes, and to
prevent harmful gases from contacting plants, all gas, oil, and woodburning systems
must be properly vented to the outside. Use fresh-air vents to supply oxygen for
burners for complete combustion. Safety controls, such as safety pilots and a gas
shutoff switch, should be used as required. Portable kerosene heaters used in

homes are risky because some plants are sensitive to gases formed when the fuel is
burned.
Calculating heating system capacity. Heating systems are rated in British
thermal units (Btu) per hour (h). The Btu capacity of the heating system, Q, can be
estimated easily using three factors:
1. A is the total exposed (outside) area of the greenhouse sides, ends, and roof
in square feet (ft2). On a Quonset, the sides and roof are one unit; measure
the length of the curved rafter (ground to ground) and multiply by the length
of the house. The curves end area is 2 (ends) X2/3 X height X width. Add the
sum of the first calculation with that of the second.
2. u is the heat loss factor that quantifies the rate at which heat energy flows
out of the greenhouse. For example, a single cover of plastic or glass has a
value of 1.2 Btu/h x ft2 x oF (heat loss in Btu's her hour per each square foot of
area per degree in Fahrenheit); a double-layer cover has a value of 0.8 Btu/h
x ft2 x oF. The values allow for some air infiltration but are based on the
assumption that the greenhouse is fairly airtight.
3. (Ti-To) is the maximum temperature difference between the lowest outside
temperature (To) in your region and the temperature to be maintained in the
greenhouse (Ti). For example, the maximum difference will usually occur in
the early morning with the occurrence of a 0 oF to -5oF outside temperature
while a 60oF inside temperature is maintained. Plan for a temperature
differential of 60 to 65oF. The following equation summarizes this description:
Q = A x u x (Ti-To).
Example. If a rigid-frame or post and rafter freestanding greenhouse 16 feet wide
by 24 feet long, 12 feet high at the ridge, with 6 feet sidewalls, is covered with
single-layer glass from the ground to the ridge, what size gas heater would be
needed to maintain 60oF on the coldest winter night (0oF)? Calculate the total
outside area (Figure 4):
two long sides 2 x 6 ft x 24 ft = 288 ft2
two ends

2 x 6ft x 16 ft = 192 ft2

roof

2 x 10 ft x 24ft = 480 ft2

gable ends

2 x 6 ft x 8 ft = 96 ft2
A = 1,056 ft2

Select the proper heat loss factor, u = 1.2 Btu/h x ft2 x oF. The temperature
differential is 60oF - 0oF = 60 oF.
Q = 1,056 x 1.2 x 60 = 76,032 Btu/h (furnace output).

Although this is a relatively small greenhouse, the furnace output is equivalent to

that in a small residence such as a townhouse. The actual furnace rated capacity
takes into account the efficiency of the furnace and is called the furnace input fuel
rating.

This discussion is a bit technical, but these factors must be considered when
choosing a greenhouse. Note the effect of each value on the outcome. When
different materials are used in the construction of the walls or roof, heat loss must
be calculated for each. For electrical heating, covert Btu/h to kilowatts by dividing
Btu/h by 3,413. If a wood, gas, or oil burner is located in the greenhouse, a fresh-air
inlet is recommended to maintain an oxygen supply to the burner. Place a piece of
plastic pipe through the outside cover to ensure that oxygen gets to the burner
combustion air intake. The inlet pipe should be the diameter of the flue pipe. This
ensures adequate air for combustion in an airtight greenhouse. Unvented heaters
(no chimney) using propane gas or kerosene are not recommended.
Air Circulation
Installing circulating fans in your greenhouse is a good investment. During the
winter when the greenhouse is heated, you need to maintain air circulation so that
temperatures remain uniform throughout the greenhouse. Without air-mixing fans,
the warm air rises to the top and cool air settles around the plants on the floor.
Small fans with a cubic-foot-per-minute (ft3/min) air-moving capacity equal to one
quarter of the air volume of the greenhouse are sufficient. For small greenhouses
(less than 60 feet long), place the fans in diagonally opposite corners but out from
the ends and sides. The goal is to develop a circular (oval) pattern of air movement.

Operate the fans continuously during the winter. Turn these fans off during the
summer when the greenhouse will need to be ventilated.
The fan in a forced-air heating system can sometimes be used to provide
continuous air circulation. The fan must be wired to an on/off switch so it can run
continuously, separate from the thermostatically controlled burner.
Ventilation
Ventilation is the exchange of inside air for outside air to control temperature,
remove moisture, or replenish carbon dioxide (CO 2). Several ventilation systems can
be used. Be careful when mixing parts of two systems.
Natural ventilation uses roof vents on the ridge line with side inlet vents (louvers).
Warm air rises on convective currents to escape through the top, drawing cool air in
through the sides.
Mechanical ventilation uses an exhaust fan to move air out one end of the
greenhouse while outside air enters the other end through motorized inlet louvers.
Exhaust fans should be sized to exchange the total volume of air in the greenhouse
each minute.
The total volume of air in a medium to large greenhouse can be estimated by
multiplying the floor area times 8.0 (the average height of a greenhouse). A small
greenhouse (less than 5,000 ft3 in air volume) should have an exhaust-fan capacity
estimated by multiplying the floor area by 12.
The capacity of the exhaust fan should be selected at one-eighth of an inch static
water pressure. The static pressure rating accounts for air resistance through the
louvers, fans, and greenhouse and is usually shown in the fan selection chart.
Ventilation requirements vary with the weather and season. One must decide how
much the greenhouse will be used. In summer, 1 to 1 air volume changes per
minute are needed. Small greenhouses need the larger amount. In winter, 20 to 30
percent of one air volume exchange per minute is sufficient for mixing in cool air
without chilling the plants.
One single-speed fan cannot meet this criteria. Two single-speed fans are better. A
combination of a single-speed fan and a two-speed fan allows three ventilation rates
that best satisfy year round needs. A single-stage and a two-stage thermostat are
needed to control the operation.
A two-speed motor on low speed delivers about 70 percent of its full capacity. If the
two fans have the same capacity rating, then the low-speed fan supplies about 35
percent of the combined total. This rate of ventilation is reasonable for the winter. In

spring, the fan operates on high speed. In summer, both fans operate on high
speed.
Refer to the earlier example of a small greenhouse. A 16-foot wide by 24-foot long
house would need an estimated ft3 per minute (cubic feet per minute; CFM) total
capacity; that is, 16x24x12 ft3per minute. For use all year, select two fans to deliver
2,300 ft3 per minute each, one fan to have two speeds so that the high speed is
2,300 ft3 per minute. Adding the second fan, the third ventilation rate is the sum of
both fans on high speed, or 4,600 ft3 per minute.
Some glass greenhouses are sold with a manual ridge vent, even when a
mechanical system is specified. The manual system can be a backup system, but it
does not take the place of a motorized louver. Do not take shortcuts in developing
an automatic control system.
Cooling
Air movement by ventilation alone may not be adequate in the middle of the
summer; the air temperature may need to be lowered with evaporative cooling.
Also, the light intensity may be too great for the plants. During the summer,
evaporative cooling, shade cloth, or paint may be necessary. Shade materials
include roll-up screens of wood or aluminum, vinyl netting, and paint.
Small package evaporative coolers have a fan and evaporative pad in one box to
evaporate water, which cools air and increases humidity. Heat is removed from the
air to change water from liquid to a vapor. Moist, cooler air enters the greenhouse
while heated air passes out through roof vents or exhaust louvers. The evaporative
cooler works best when the humidity of the outside air is low. The system can be
used without water evaporation to provide the ventilation of the greenhouse. Size
the evaporative cooler capacity at 1.0 to 1.5 times the volume of the greenhouse.
An alternative system, used in commercial greenhouses, places the pads on the air
inlets at one end of the greenhouse and uses the exhaust fans at the other end of
the greenhouse to pull the air through the house.
Controllers/Automation
Automatic control is essential to maintain a reasonable environment in the
greenhouse. On a winter day with varying amounts of sunlight and clouds, the
temperature can fluctuate greatly; close supervision would be required if a manual
ventilation system were in use. Therefore, unless close monitoring is possible, both
hobbyists and commercial operators should have automated systems with
thermostats or other sensors.
Thermostats can be used to control individual units, or a central controller with one
temperature sensor can be used. In either case, the sensor or sensors should be
shaded from the sun, located about plant height away from the sidewalls, and have

constant airflow over them. An aspirated box is suggested; the box houses each
sensor and has a small fan that moves greenhouse air through the box and over the
sensor (Figure 5). The box should be painted white so it will reflect solar heat and
allow accurate readings of the air temperature.

Watering Systems
A water supply is essential. Hand watering is acceptable for most greenhouse crops
if someone is available when the task needs to be done; however, many hobbyists
work away from home during the day. A variety of automatic watering systems is
available to help to do the task over short periods of time. Bear in mind, the small
greenhouse is likely to have a variety of plant materials, containers, and soil mixes
that need different amounts of water.
Time clocks or mechanical evaporation sensors can be used to control automatic
watering systems. Mist sprays can be used to create humidity or to moisten
seedlings. Watering kits can be obtained to water plants in flats, benches, or pots.
CO2 and Light
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and light are essential for plant growth. As the sun rises in the
morning to provide light, the plants begin to produce food energy (photosynthesis).
The level of CO2 drops in the greenhouse as it is used by the plants. Ventilation
replenishes the CO2 in the greenhouse. Because CO2 and light complement each
other, electric lighting combined with CO 2 injection are used to increase yields of
vegetable and flowering crops. Bottled CO2, dry ice, and combustion of sulfur-free
fuels can be used as CO2 sources. Commercial greenhouses use such methods.

Alternative Growing Structures

A greenhouse is not always needed for growing plants. Plants can be germinated in
one's home in a warm place under fluorescent lamps. The lamps must be close
together and not far above the plants.
A cold frame or hotbed can be used outdoors to continue the growth of young
seedlings until the weather allows planting in a garden. A hotbed is similar to the
cold frame, but it has a source of heat to maintain proper temperatures.

Laboratory design:

Collaborative research requires teams of scientists with varying expertise to form

interdisciplinary research units. As networks connect people and organizations,
sharing data within a team and with other research teams becomes less
complicated. So, designers are organizing space in new ways. Laboratory designers
can support collaborative research by:

Creating flexible engineering systems and casework that encourage research

teams to alter their spaces to meet their needs
Designing offices and write-up areas as places where people can work in
teams
Creating "research centers" that are team-based
Creating all the space necessary for research team members to operate
properly near each other
Minimizing or eliminating spaces that are identified with a particular
department
Establishing clearly defined circulation patterns
Provide interior glazing to allow people to see one another.
B. "Open" Versus "Closed" Labs
An increasing number of research institutions are creating "open" labs to support
team-based work. The open lab concept is significantly different from that of the
"closed" lab of the past, which was based on accommodating the individual
principle investigator. In open labs, researchers share not only the space itself but
also equipment, bench space, and support staff. The open lab format facilitates
communication between scientists and makes the lab more easily adaptable for
future needs. A wide variety of labsfrom wet biology and chemistry labs, to
engineering labs, to dry computer science facilitiesare now being designed as
open labs. Most laboratory facilities built or designed since the mid-1990s in the
U.S. possess some type of open lab.

For the Phase 2 Neuroscience facility at NIH (above, right) the open labs are
designed with the offices to the right and direct access to the labs and the lab
support to the left. The open labs are the focal point.
There can be two or more open labs on a floor, encouraging multiple teams to focus
on separate research projects. The architectural and engineering systems should be
designed to affordably accommodate multiple floor plans that can easily be
changed according to the research teams' needs.
Closed labs are still needed for specific kinds of research or for certain equipment.
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) equipment, electron microscopes, tissue culture
labs, darkrooms, and glass washing are examples of equipment and activities that
must be housed in separate, dedicated spaces.
Moreover, some researchers find it difficult or unacceptable to work in a lab that is
open to everyone. They may need some dedicated space for specific research in an
individual closed lab. In some cases, individual closed labs can directly access a
larger, shared open lab. When a researcher requires a separate space, an individual
closed lab can meet his or her needs; when it is necessary and beneficial to work as
a team, the main open lab is used. Equipment and bench space can be shared in
the large open lab, thereby helping to reduce the cost of research. This concept can
be taken further to create a lab module that allows glass walls to be located almost
anywhere. The glass walls allow people to see each other, while also having their
individual spaces.
C. Flexibility
Maximizing flexibility has always been a key concern in designing or renovating a
laboratory building. Flexibility can mean several things, including the ability to
expand easily, to readily accommodate reconfigurations and other changes, and to
permit a variety of uses.
Flexible Engineering Systems
Flexible engineering servicessupply and exhaust air, water, electricity, voice/data,
vacuum systemsare extremely important to most labs. Labs must have easy
connects/disconnects at the walls and ceiling to allow for fast, affordable hookups of
equipment. The engineering systems may need to be designed to enable fume
hoods to be removed or added, to allow the space to be changed from a lab
environment to an office and then back again, or to allow maintenance of the
controls outside the lab.

At NC State, these engineering laboratories are supported by highly flexible

mechanical systems that allow for equipment setups to be completed in almost
endless number of scenarios. Change is encouraged and seen as beneficial in most
cases.
From the start, mechanical systems need to be designed for a maximum number of
fume hoods in the building. Ductwork can be sized to allow for change and growth
and vertical exhaust risers provided for future fume hoods in the initial construction.
When a hood is required, the duct can simply be run from the hood to the installed
vertical riser. The mechanical systems will need to be re-balanced when a fume
hood is added or deleted to efficiently accommodate the numbers of hoods in use
and the air changes necessary through each room. Vertical risers are primarily used
for the hoods that exhaust special chemicals (such as radioactive and perchloric
fumes) that cannot be mixed into the main laboratory exhaust system. Installing
vertical risers during initial construction takes little time and costs approximately
one-third of what it costs for retrofitting to add vertical risers later on.
Engineering systems should be designed to service initial demands and at least an
additional 25% for anticipated future programs. Space should be allowed in utility
corridors, ceilings, and vertical chases for future heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, and electrical needs. Service shutoff valves should

be easily accessible, located in a box in the wall at the entry to the lab or in the
ceiling at the entry. All pipes, valves, and clean-outs should be clearly labeled to
identify the contents, pressure, and temperature.
Equipment Zones
It typically takes about three years for a 10,000 square meter lab building to be
designed and built. During this time an organization's research needs may change
or the people doing the research may leave and be replaced by others. In either
case, there is a good chance that the purpose of the lab will change. If the entire lab
is fitted with new casework, the casework may have to be changed before anyone
occupies the new laboratory.

It is recommended to allocate approximately 25% of the space in most labs for

equipment zones. This provides space for the researchers to come in and move
casework and equipment around as well as add casework and/or equipment where
necessary. The equipment zone shown in the dark rectangular color in the photo to
the right becomes a type of swing space.
Equipment zones are usually fitted out when the research team moves into the lab
that is, when the team knows exactly what will be needed to do the work. The
creation of equipment zones that accommodate change easily is a cost-effective
design opportunity. The lab can be generic, with 50%70% casework initially and
the rest of the lab fitted out later. The casework is usually located on the outside
wall, with islands defined as equipment zones. It may also be helpful to locate 3 ft.
to 6 ft. equipment zones on the outside walls to accommodate cylinders near fume
hoods and refrigerators at the perimeter.
Generic Labs
When a laboratory facility is designed generically, all the labs are the same size and
are outfitted with the same basic engineering services and casework. Generic labs
are a sensible option when it is not known who will occupy the space or what

specific type of research will be conducted there. Generic lab design may also make
sense from an administrative standpoint, since each team or researcher is given the
same basic amenities. The best generic labs have some flexibility built in and can
be readily modified for the installation of equipment or for changes to the
engineering services or casework. Many new labs are designed with mobile
casework everywhere except for the fixed fume hoods and sinks.
Mobile Casework
Technological advances allow for more research procedures to be automated. In the
past equipment was often squeezed into an existing lab setup; today's labs must be
designed to accept the needed equipment easily. There are several types of
movable casework to consider. Storage cabinets that are 7 ft. tall allow a large
volume of space for storage and can be very affordable, compared to the cost of
multiple base cabinets. Mobile write-up stations can be moved into the lab
whenever sit-down space is required for data collection.

Casework truly works like a kit of parts with the ability to add or subtract casework
easily by the research team. Notice that none of the casework is on wheels to
reduce cost and vibration concerns. Only carts are typically built with wheels.
Mobile carts make excellent equipment storage units. Often used in research labs as
computer workstations, mobile carts allow computer hardware to be stacked and
then moved to equipment stations as needed. Data ports are also located adjacent
to electrical outlets along the casework. Instrument cart assemblies are designed to
allow for the sharing of instruments between labs. Carts are typically designed to fit
through a 3 ft. wide doorway and are equipped with levelers and castors. Many

mobile carts are load tested to support 2,000 lbs. and can be designed with 1 in.
vertical slots to support adjustable shelving. The depth of the shelving can vary to
allow efficient stacking of equipment and supplies.
Mobile base cabinets are constructed with a number of drawer and door
configurations and are equipped with an anti-tipping counterweight. The drawer
units can be equipped with locks. The typical height of mobile cabinets is 29 in.,
which allows them to be located below most sit-down benches. Also, mobile tables
are now available for robotic analyzers and designed to support 800 lbs. A mobile
cabinet can also be designed to incorporate a computer cabinet, which can be
hooked up to the robotic analyzers. Carts incorporate a pullout shelf for the server
and a pullout tray for the keyboard in front of the monitor. Wire management is
designed as a part of the cart.
Using the Full Volume of the Lab Space
Many labs today are equipment intensive and require as much bench space as
possible. Using the full volume of the lab space to stack equipment and supplies can
be very helpful and cost-effective. Mobile carts, as mentioned earlier, can be used
to stack computer hardware as well as other lab equipment. Overhead cabinets
allow for storage above the bench, making good use of the volume of a space.
Flexibility can also be addressed with adjustable shelving instead of cabinets.
Adjustable shelving allows the researcher to use the number of shelves required, at
the height and spacing necessary. If tall equipment is set on the bench, the shelving
can be taken down to allow space for the equipment. The bottom shelf should be
19-20 in. above the benchtop and should stop 18 in. below the ceiling to permit
appropriate coverage by the sprinkler system.

These laboratories have high, sloped ceilings which allow natural indirect light in,
provide engineering services above the laboratory equipment, and provide enough
space to stack the equipment easily and safely.
Overhead Service Carriers

An overhead service carrier is hung from the underside of the structural floor
system. The utility services are run above the ceiling, where they are connected to
the overhead service carrier. The utility services that are run above the ceiling
should have quick connect and disconnect features for easy hookups to the
overhead service carriers. Overhead service carriers come in standard widths and
accommodate electrical and communication outlets, light fixtures, service fixtures
for process piping, and exhaust snorkels.
Wet and Dry Labs
Research facilities typically include both wet labs and dry labs. Wet labs have sinks,
piped gases, and usually, fume hoods. Wet labs require chemical-resistant
countertops and 100% outside air and are outfitted with some fixed casework. Dry
labs are usually computer intensive, with significant requirements for electrical and
data wiring. Their casework is mobile; they have adjustable shelving and plastic
laminate counters. Recirculated air is sufficient. (Dry lab construction is, in fact, very
similar to office construction.) A key difference is the substantial need for cooling in
dry labs because of the heat generated by the equipment

AIM:
To design a dedicated facility which would provide space and technology for
agricultural and vertical farming research, for development of green zones within
the city along with public spaces to offer educational experiences to tourists and
citizens.

OBJECTIVES:

Development of form-function based design in combination with minimalism

using current trends in construction.

Provide a valuable user experience for both tourists and locals by means of
education and knowledge.
Provide a platform for the development of agricultural and vertical farming
sciences as an initiative for sustainable urban development

SCOPE OF STUDIES:
The scope of study applicable to this thesis would include:

Design incorporating standard requirements of a agricultural research facility

Design and working of artificial green houses.
Balancing segregation between public accessible and personnel restricted
spaces.
Ideas for technical and structural details, service details and environment
responsive design.

CASE STUDIES:

1) Kirkwood Vertical farming Building / OPN Architects

Architect: OPN Architects

Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Wayne Johnson, Main Street Studio
Designed by OPN Architects, the Kirkwood Horticulture Building at Kirkwood
Community College is a 40,000sf facility that houses the burgeoning floral and
horticultural program for its host school. In addition to typical academic programs
such as lecture halls, office space, student commons, and laboratory facilities, the
complex also includes an 8,500sf greenhouse for production.

Interior organization of the building is orchestrated around a linear commons, which

functions both as a progression towards and a tie to the glazed greenhouse.

It also connects academic spaces to a large southern exposure and reinforces the
occupants relationship to the outdoors, to the sun, and to the seasons.
The north wing, housing general classrooms and office space, is rotated slightly off
axis to be distinct and announce the primary public entry.

The building is composed of brick, earth-toned metal panels, natural wood windows
and accent panels.
The new facility and outdoor display gardens enhance the southern area of campus
and contribute to overall campus wide improvements.
Natural lighting and constant views to the exterior reinforce the programs
connection to the natural environment.
The greenhouse had three primary requirements that became the impetus for much
of the remaining building configuration. Those include an orientation based on the
cardinal directions, a double bay scheme, and gabled roof forms.

The head-house was intentionally designed as a bookend, meant to fully receive the
greenhouse gable end. This quiet, two-story brick mass contrasts the light structure
of the greenhouse while appropriately expressing its service nature through its
material expression and form.
The educational pavilion set to the north was then rotated away from the headhouse mass to give it a proper amount of space and distinction from its program
counterparts to the south. This also allowed a succinct differentiation of mass
elements and the insertion of a communal meeting space at the crux of the
rotation.
Each of the program areas has its own architectural expression with material and
color choices used to tie the elements together in a cohesive fashion.
This building intentionally reflects the nature of the program and people who use it.
Its palette reveals a harmonious quality, with earth tones and natural materials
prevailing. Use of wood columns and beams, as well as wood windows and details
was crucial to the success of the buildings tone. For those who work in the spaces,
the comfort and ease of occupying them is enhanced by the familiarity recalled by
the materials that they work with on a consistent basis. Other natural materials,
such as brick and earth-toned metal panels continue this language, while natural
lighting and constant views to the exterior reinforce the programs connection to the
natural environment.
The interior organization of the building is orchestrated around a linear commons
along the south elevation of the academic pavilion.
This area functions both as a progression towards and a tie to the glazed
greenhouse elements. It also connects the academic spaces to a large southern
exposure and reinforces the occupants relationship to the outdoors, to the sun, and
to the seasons.
Expansive exterior gardens allow students space to feature their work just outside
of the window walls.

2) Cabrillo Agriculture Centre

Features:
Community Building
As you come up the hill from the campus perimeter road, the first building you see
is the Community Building, so designated because its purpose is to provide the
greater Santa Cruz residents a welcoming place to enjoy classes, lectures, individual
study, group functions as well as a marvelous view of the Monterey Bay to the
south. The building houses a spacious lobby, community room, lecture classroom,
faculty offices, a learning center/library and site of the future garden store.

Community Room
The Community Room is a large multipurpose room with views of the entry
courtyard and Monterey Bay. As a classroom, it comfortably seats seventy students
and has overhead computerized projection capabilities, sound system and work
boards. It also functions as a meeting room and often provides a space for catered
dining events.
Lecture Classroom
The Lecture Classroom offers the latest teaching technology to students. Not only
are many lectures offered in the PowerPoint mode, but laptop computers are used
for hands on learning experiences in plant database research and landscape design
graphics.
Nursery Building
The Nursery Building is on the left as you enter the fenced area in the back of the
Horticulture Center. It comprises the nursery staff offices and lunch room,
herbarium, the store and laboratory Classroom, where students learn hands on
techniques for plant propagation and care.
Laboratory Classroom
The Nursery classroom is an expansive space with stainless steel tables and a
concrete floor with drains, a perfect room for learning the arts of nursery production
in all its phases. Students use this room to conduct media testing, to practice
canning and potting techniques, to measure pH and EC, as well as learn how to
identify plant parts.

Hoop Houses
There are five hoop houses near the back of the nursery area. They are used
throughout the season to show the sequence of typical crop production. One house
is the propagation house, the second is for lining out stock and the other 2 are for
hardening off the crop before going outside.
Greenhouse
The prize of the Nursery Area is the 8,000 square foot greenhouse complex named
in honor of the Solari family. In the center is the Head House where much of the
propagation goes on during the year by our students, staff and volunteers. On
either side are the 3,600 square foot greenhouse areas.
One side is dedicated to Controlled Environment Agriculture - hydroponic tomatoes,
basil and aquaponic greens. The other side grows Poinsettias in the fall, and lots of
other nursery crops in preparation for our spring sale.