THE VERTICAL FARM

Parsons The New School for Design: Social Entrepreneurship: Spring 2011 Elise F. Sindy V. Cassandra T. Liz I. Alex L. Nicole G. Carly W. Theresa T. Julia S.

QUICK FACTS

VIDEO

INNOVATION

SUSTAINABILITY

IMPACT

DESIGN

THE VERTICAL FARM

‣Dickson Despommier coined “vertical farming” in 1999

‣Despommier is a microbiologist, ecologist, and professor

‣Vertical farming is not new to the world, but fairly modern to urban environments

‣Vertical farms build on the idea of rooftop farming by capitalizing on space vertically and utilizing natural light to produce energy.

‣Vertical farms create urban communities in which individuals can both live and work in a sustainable environment.

‣The vertical farm acts as a mini eco-system.

‣With the population increasing and the supplies decreasing, it is necessary that we think of innovative and creative ways to feed and nourish everyone.

Quick Facts

vertical farming“the mini eco-system”

::VIDEO::

‣Vertical farms build on the idea of rooftop farming by capitalizing on space vertically and utilizing natural light to produce energy.

‣Vertical farms create urban communities in which individuals can both live and work in a sustainable environment.

‣The vertical farm acts as a mini eco-system.

‣With the population increasing and the supplies decreasing, it is necessary that we think of innovative and creative ways to feed and nourish everyone.

Why is it innovative?

How is it sustainable?

‣ Saved space þ 1 acre of vertical farm = 4 to 30 acres of flat land depending on crop

‣ Creation of sustainable spaces in urban environments

‣ Decrease in “food miles” our produce travels, because we can grow a larger variety of produce year-round in a controlled environment we will no longer have to import seasonal fruits and vegetables

‣ All VF food is grown organically: no herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers

‣ Able to control and recycle any waste created

‣ The eventual repair of ecosystems that have been sacrificed for horizontal farming

‣ VF adds energy back to the grid via methane generation from composting non-edible parts of plants and animals

‣ VF dramatically reduces fossil fuel use (no tractors, plows, shipping.)

‣ Building urban vertical farms will initially need large amounts of resources for building and construction

‣ According to VF critic George Monbiot

“Unless a new method of solar-powered lighting is developed, light to grow crops will be very expensive- resulting in a non-sustainable business model”

‣ And the biggest problem, according to Monbiot, is LIGHT

“The light required to grow the 500 grams of wheat that 1 loaf of bread contains would cost, at current prices, $15.81. That's just lighting: no inputs, interest, rates, rents or labor. Somehow this minor consideration – that plants need light to grow and that they aren't going to get it except on the top story – has been overlooked by the scheme's supporters.”

Challenges on VF

How is it designed?

‣Multi-storied buildings growing different crops at each floor

‣Integrated assembly line including: seed sorting facilities, distribution,

‣Continuous planting system including monitoring growth and harvesting

‣ All creating a 'miniature eco-system' that acts to enable the urban population to manufacture and produce food locally.

‣The architecture itself:

‣ Requires innovative design concept & architectural knowledge

‣ Integrating greenery alongside traditional architectural forms

‣Recently won Incheon International Design Award

‣Incorporates a sustainable public space with an easy to maintain self sufficient system.

“Spiral Garden System"

Impact of VF

‣Reduction of energy costs in transportation

‣Year-round cropproductionpreparation protection from weather

‣Crops are then sold within the same infrastructure (reduction of crop waste)

‣Elimination of: crop machineryfossil fuel emissions

‣Growth of enough food to replace lost productivity as farmland is urbanized

‣5 acres of land in traditional farming would produce the same amount of crops to that of a 30 story building (2,400 acres of land)

VF future impact

‣When the global population increases by 3 billion people, 80% of them will live in or near urban areas

‣Our Current land-intensive practices will not be able to support the world’s demanding population

‣Cities currently investing in VF projects::

‣NYC, L.A, LAS VEGAS, ABU DABHI, PARIS, SEATTLE, BANGALORE, TORONTO, PORTLAND, INCHEON,SURREY