Solar Greenhouse, a self-sufficient cultivation system

To meet the challenges that will come from the climate crisis, a team from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia designed this module that produces food and energy. 

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021

Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Program diagram

Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Axonometric diagram

Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Section

Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Plan

Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Section

Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Axonometric view

Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Ecosystemic interaction

Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Detail section

Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Tracebility

Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Tracebility

Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

On the outskirts of Barcelona, the Collserola Natural Park is the setting for a cultivation module created by a team of students on the Master’s course in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) at Valldaura Labs, a learning-by-doing campus created to experiment and test new self-sufficient habitats.

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Valldaura Labs, Barcelona, Spain, 2021. Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Solar Greenhouse is therefore the result of research conducted on possible new ways of living as a process of adaptation to future food and energy crises. The project proposes a space for self-sufficient cultivation as a prototype for food and energy production in cities. The result is a small architecture characterized by a wooden frame, photovoltaic panels to meet energy demands, and advanced cultivation technology that can be implemented in the countryside or on urban rooftops. The program is organized on two floors: the germination zone was established on the ground floor, while the cultivation was set up on the upper floor.

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Valldaura Labs, Barcelona, Spain, 2021. Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Respecting the “zero kilometer” cycle process, water, substrate, and building materials are taken directly from the surrounding environment, allowing the cultivated food to jump straight from production to consumption without a supply chain. The greenhouse also features a nutrient supply system. In addition, a matrix of LED strip lights facilitates the growth cycles.

  • Solar Greenhouse
  • Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, IAAC
  • Vicente Guallart, Daniel Ibañez
  • Bartłomiej Najman, Dafni Vakalopoulou, Rebecca Baierwick, Ignacio Reyes Solis, Paulina Sevilla, Yangchuan Tian, Fatemeh Nejatii, Marilia Sofia Fernández Lockwood, Amrithavarshini Prabhuram, Kevin Xi Lim, Akshay Sunil Mhamunkar, Mona El batrik, Engjëll Rodiqi, Philipp Wienkämper, Christa Hörburger
  • Ignacio Reyes Solis
  • Miguel Urrestarazu, Oscar Rodriguez, Daniel Podmirseg, Oscar Aceves, Javier García-German, Miquel Rodriguez, Jochen Scheerer, Elena Orte, Guillermo Sevillano, Ignasi Caus Assistito da: Bruno Ganem, Marc Garcia, Gustavo Escudero
  • Diego Díaz
  • Valldaura Labs dell'Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia
  • Cricursa, Luz Negra, Tallfusta
  • Valldaura Labs, Barcellona, Spagna
  • 2021
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Photo Adria Goula. Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Program diagram

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Axonometric diagram

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Section

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Plan

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Section

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Axonometric view

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Ecosystemic interaction

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Detail section

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Tracebility

Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Solar Greenhouse, Barcelona, Spain, 2021 Courtesy IAAC, Pati Nunez Agency

Tracebility