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. 

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.

Progetto:
Solar Greenhouse
Atelier:
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, IAAC
Direttori:
Vicente Guallart, Daniel Ibañez
Team di progetto:
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
Responsabile del progetto:
Ignacio Reyes Solis
Consulenti :
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
Volontario:
Diego Díaz
Cliente:
Valldaura Labs dell'Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia
Sponsor:
Cricursa, Luz Negra, Tallfusta
Luogo:
Valldaura Labs, Barcellona, Spagna
Completamento:
2021

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