William Eng

Greenhouse Redesign William EngPlants are capable of going through an entire life cycle in a few months and then repeat it without much human intervention. I believe a greenhouse is not only a place where we can cultivate plants and produce, but a place where we can aid in their development as they would naturally. Plants, in nature, rely heavily on rainwater for their own nourishment and this was the prevalent idea in the approach of redesigning the greenhouse. Rainwater collection begins with the geometry of the roof to allow for rainwater to enter the building and stored. Afterwards, various methods of rainwater recirculation and redistribution were considered to allow the greenhouse to be self sufficient with minimal human interference. Three different zones were considered in the design depending on how deeply rooted the specific plants are. Shallow-rooted plants are closer to the ground level, and the deeply-rooted plants are at the highest level, with the medium-rooted plants in between.

Zone A

Zone B

Zone C

Roof

Zone A is at the lowest elevation of the three zones. It allows for shallow-rooted plants and produce since it is the closest to the ground. These plants include broccoli, cabbage, kale, as well as vines that climbs from the ground to the wooden trellises above.

Zone B allows for medium-rooted plants to produce and to grow comfortably away from grade. To promote a better understanding of a different method of crop cultivation, this level includes a furrow irrigation system with water harvested from the rain. Produce on this level includes cucumbers, carrots, and peas.

Zone C is at the highest elevation of the greenhouse. This level allows for deep-ly-rooted plants and an open rain water retention chamber that also acts as a fish tank. Fish excrements become fertilizers in the water for plant growth. Tomatoes, squash, and pumpkins can be found at this level.

The Roof is at different elevations as well, similar to that of each zone. A cored column structure exists in each zone that provides for their own rainwater retention and distribution. Any excess water will be directed into the lowest level of Zone A where the rainwater retention tank is held. This is needed during periods of low rain activity.

There are a series of welded steel beams to columns in the building. This provides the slopes for the greenhouse to collect water for distribution.

There is a “ring beam” that ties each column-beam structure to each other. This allows for a counter-balance of the loads that may overturn the structure.

The water retention tank at Zone C is also a fish tank and a pond within the greenhouse. The fishes that lives in this tank provides excrements that serve as fertilizers and nutrients for plants to grow. This water is extracted into the adjacent wall where thesenutrients are absorbed by the plants. This process acts as a filter to provide clean water to be pumped back into the tank at the end of the cycle where the process begins anew. The water can be constantly reused with no waste.

Rainwater

Fish PondWater Retention

Plants

Four of these combined structures comprise the stability of the greenhouse. Intermittent beams are placed to connect one to the other.

100

RAIN WATER COLLECTION

FILTERED WATER TO PLANTS

RETENTION POND ABOVE GROUND

RETENTION TANK BELOW GROUND

UNDERGROUND PIPING

100

RAIN WATER COLLECTION

FILTERED WATER TO PLANTS

RETENTION POND ABOVE GROUND

RETENTION TANK BELOW GROUND

UNDERGROUND PIPING

Rainwater Collection

Filtered Water to Plant

Retention Pond Above

Retention Tank Below

filte

red

fertilzed