A study of the orography, the elevated terrain of Torre Baro. The Orographic precipitation, also known as relief precipitation, is generated by a forced upward movement of air upon encountering a physiographic upland. This is resulted by the anabatic or upward vertical propagation of warm moist air up an orographic slope caused by daytime heating of the mountain barrier surface. By adding isolation to the surface to create a controlled directional flow of moisture and heat, enabling the typography to act as a machineless greenhouse.

Using tensile structures in the Form finding process enables flexibility and free manipulation of spaces to hack the terrain. In this case, forming an entirely new typography of its own providing the necessary structure for movement of air, humidity and water. These elements are essential for the greenhouse to function in a harmonious manner without the aid of any mechanical elements.

The concept of «Propagation» is dominent in this project. Consequently, the use of propagation for plants, a method of «Horticultural Cloning» using precise cutting techniques. Further exploration of these methods have been proven highly productive for commercial agriculture of various types of produce. This project will demonstrate the integration of propagating plants, natural elements and form to hack nature.

A study of the orography, the elevated terrain of Torre Baro. The Orographic precipitation, also known as relief precipitation, is generated by a forced upward movement of air upon encountering a physiographic upland. This is resulted by the anabatic or upward vertical propagation of warm moist air up an orographic slope caused by daytime heating of the mountain barrier surface. By adding isolation to the surface to create a controlled directional flow of moisture and heat, enabling the typography to act as a machineless greenhouse.

Using tensile structures in the Form finding process enables flexibility and free manipulation of spaces to hack the terrain. In this case, forming an entirely new typography of its own providing the necessary structure for movement of air, humidity and water. These elements are essential for the greenhouse to function in a harmonious manner without the aid of any mechanical elements.

The concept of «Propagation» is dominent in this project. Consequently, the use of propagation for plants, a method of «Horticultural Cloning» using precise cutting techniques. Further exploration of these methods have been proven highly productive for commercial agriculture of various types of produce. This project will demonstrate the integration of propagating plants, natural elements and form to hack nature.

Material System
The structure of the project is based on tensegrity, it contains isolated opposable structural beams which under tension expand into a three-dimensional structure. The module forms an icosahedron, which contains 6 struts and 24 tensile elements. The transformable element of the structure allows it to collapse for easy transportation, and expand to increase maximum spatial capacity for plant growth. The beams will support the structure while simultaneously support the plants and the aeroponics system.

Aeroponic Systems
Aeroponics replace the soil with a nutrient solution allowing plants to bloom to their full potential with minimal required space. Suspended by mesh holders, the roots grow downwards from their grow beds into an enclosed repository. Nutrient solution disperses onto the roots through mist nozzles at timed intervals of 35-45 seconds with intermissions of 4-5 minutes. The roots absorb most of the nutrition while the excess drips back into the reservoir. The nutrients can be organically altered for optimum performance, reducing the use of pesticides by 100%, increase yields by 60% and can increase biomass by 80%. However, aeroponics require electricity, during a power outage the system collapses. This can be prevented through daily maintenance.

Manifest

Our project was developed on two basic aspects. One was the understanding of the site, the area of Torre Barò in the surrounding, through the analysis of the humidity, and the other was the form finding process. In this case, the aim was to speculate on the most functional shape.We used strings to understand how it was possible to go further in a controlled twist. Doing several different models we understood which was the best rotation to achieve our goal, and we figured out the optimal solution which was a 90°twist. Because of the form we found our focus on the site, we joined them in a system in which it was possible to collect dew. The aim of the project is to produce vegetables through the use of an aeroponic system. This is a way of cultivation in which the soil is not necessary for plants grow. A mist of water and nutrients are pumped through nozzles and sprayed on the pendant roots, contained in a closed and controlled environment; surplus water can be reused in the system. With the dew collection, part of the amount of water used for the plants is collected by the system itself. The ETFE was used as a fabric for this purpose. The peculiarity of the project is that due to the rotation, it is possibile to have different shapes during the day. In the morning the pipes are standing to provide greater exposure to the plants. During the night they create a shape, with an angle of 30° to the ground, to permit the ETFE to catch the dew.

Utilising an incorporative system, consisting of various inputs, can result in exceptional efficiency when attempting to generate an effective yield of a product.

Coupling the potential flexible functionality of an aeroponic growth system with the passive manipulation of heat movement creates an ideal environment for many varying cultivars.

To achieve the most efficient form of execution it is necessary to take similarities among the cultivars into account. Focusing on tomatoes, several varieties are similar in terms of maturation time, harvest time, disease resistance as well as plant growth preferences . Therefore the growth of several varieties makes sense.

Once combining the tomatoes with the aeroponic system, numerous differences are instantly omitted. The germination and rooting periods of the plants, shrink down to less than a day. Most soil-based deterrents as well as plant-to-plant activity are eliminated, greatly decreasing infection and mortality rates.

The following step is to interconnect the aeroponic system with the passive growth proposal. Through undulating surfaces, which feature varying sizes of ‘hot pockets’, much like a series of ‘overlapping’ domes, the plants are subjected to the ideal conditions required. Being placed inside the ‘hot pockets’, the plants are essentially enclosed in a controlled heat environment, with the heating effect altering itself according to the stage of development the plants are experiencing.

Since heat rises, it is possible to capture and control it using the rippling effect created by the overlapping entities or ‘hot pockets’.  The effects of the sun and mist sprayed by the aeroponic system proliferate heat gains and losses, therefore causing a constantly changing interior atmosphere. Through careful consideration of sun exposure measured on a grid of points laid on the site, it was possible interpret the information to form the surface of interlocking ‘hot pockets’, manipulating the heat to ‘travel’ around the created structure.

Through this passively encouraged movement, heat levels among the pockets change and adjust, correlating with the plants needs.

Large prototype model. This informed our proposal through the studying of the various occurrences on the model itself. Anti-spaces, 3 dimensional arrangements, unit composition as whole as well as individual panel varieties provided great insight into the behaviour of our chosen material when set up in such a manner.

Our initial experimentation of the material ‘Polymethyl Methacrylate’ revealed the effects of our chosen environmental parameter for the project, heat. We were able to study the material, subjecting it to varying degrees of heat and varying times of exposure, hence being able to confirm predicted effects and extrapolate unforeseen behaviours.

Further study of the component under heat stresses. Angles of deformation depend on heat intensity and time of exposure.

Through utilising Ecotect analysis software we were able to extract information for heating incidents, specifically for our site but also for the general surroundings. Understanding these values as geometries, in this case circles, we were able to in effect ‘plan’ the proposals positioning on site. The greater the diameter of a circle, the greater the energy signature from the suns heat/light in that specific spot.

Transferring the earlier information extracted from the circles, we began interpreting these figures as height differentials, giving us vertical lines of varying heights (all in the context of the site). In this case the higher the lines goes, the smaller the amount of energy that spot receives. Included in these representations are the number of hours of sun exposure each originating point receives. By simply connecting the highest most point on each of the individual lines, longitudinally as well as latitudinally, we are informed of the extents and general geometry of our proposal as well as the defining heat/energy  parameters for plant growth in the specified areas. With this technique we are able to delineate the scope of the proposal.

Looking at Philippe Rahms theories on ‘Interior Atmospheres’, specifically convectional currents, we attempted to transfer the idea into our proposed design. The idea for us was to passively move heat around the dome-like chambers, which house the plants, through roof geometry. As heat is generated on the interior through the suns incident rays falling on the transparent ETFE surface of each of the domes, the air inside is heated, changing the composition of the air, which in turn creates interior currents. These currents push heated air around the domes. Through the use of electrochromic devices (smart glass; changes opacity to let less/more light through depending on light sensors) mounted between the ETFE surfaces it is possible to control the degree of heating inflicted by the sun, and therefore it is also possible to control the convectional air currents inside, providing the ideal temperatures for every plant in every ‘dome’.

Tomato research on similar tomato varieties we wish to grow. These have been selected due to their similarities in many defining areas (maturation time, germination time, sun exposure preferences etc.).

Set up of the individual domes. Plants sit on a ‘canopy’ in the ideal temperature range. These are able to be harvested from underneath by human collectors. The aeroponic system is set up to capture the excess water and recirculate it for greater efficiency. The electrochromic devices mounted in between the ETFE panels are shaped according to the rhombus design of the individual components, creating a seamless ‘covering’ of the subjects, and therefore enabling complete control of the heating effects of the sun.

Arranging of the individual ‘domes’ according to groundcover.

Connections among the interior, ‘sealed’, spaces.

Growth units inside each of the ‘domes’.

Main plan, including representation of potential paths people may take to either simply pass by the proposal, harvest a crop or observe.

Final model in 1:50 scale.

Final Render

Polyculture is a type of agriculture in which multiple crops are grown in the same space. For example, intercropping results in better use of land by growing together different crops that don’t compete for available resources, while companion planting takes advantage of the symbiotic relationships formed between various plant species in order to enhance growth and provide protection from the environment or from pests. Polyculture offers increased biodiversity, resilience, and efficient use of resources. It also requires much planning and research, both quantitative and qualitative, in order to effectively design a successful growth system.

Loop geometry is characterized by its bending and continuity properties. When multiplied in series throughout an area, the loops offer a system of organizing groups of companion plants according to their required environmental conditions. Winding the loops back and forth across a slope creates a terracing effect that controls natural water flow, thereby reducing soil erosion and securing the terrain. The soils within each individual loop pocket can be easily tailored to suit the crops that grow there. In addition, a gravity-fed irrigation system that follows the loop structures ensures that all of the plants receive adequate hydration year-round. Smaller loops nested within larger loops offer additional control and organization, much like with folders and sub-folders. Ultimately, the flexibility and dynamism of this system allows it to be applied to any landscape and to be easily configured to its changing environment.

Our proposal combines hanging strings and hydroponic system in order to augment farming in the northern part of Barcelona- Torre Baro which is mostly a numb site with limited human activity and some rough bushes and shrubs along the terrain.

The concept originated from the principle of a curve that an idealized hanging chain or cable assumes under its own weight when supported only at its ends. This experiment uses similar idea by hanging metal weights on strings suspended from the edge of the frame. The weights keeps the strings in full tension and also gives it distinct shapes depending on its position.

This is further developed with hydroponic system where the plants are grown in water without soil. This is an efficient system which greatly reduces the water consumption and also productivity in limited space and time.

Plants grow best when they have a direct relationship with sunlight in order to have healthier and faster growth. Thus we decided to mount the system on the string arches. The movement of these arches with respect to sunlight at different times of the day doesn’t allow plants to cast their shadows on one another so that all of them can benefit by having maximum sun exposure. The solar radiation diagram was made for the chosen site to find an area to plant the system. Since it is elevated we chose the area which has the least solar exposure in order to change the solar exposure diagram of the site.

Polyculture is a type of agriculture in which multiple crops are grown in the same space. For example, intercropping results in better use of land by growing together different crops that don’t compete for available resources, while companion planting takes advantage of the symbiotic relationships formed between various plant species in order to enhance growth and provide protection from the environment or from pests. Polyculture offers increased biodiversity, resilience, and efficient use of resources. It also requires much planning and research, both quantitative and qualitative, in order to effectively design a successful growth system.

Loop geometry is characterized by its bending and continuity properties. When multiplied in series throughout an area, the loops offer a system of organizing groups of companion plants according to their required environmental conditions. Winding the loops back and forth across a slope creates a terracing effect that controls natural water flow, thereby reducing soil erosion and securing the terrain. The soils within each individual loop pocket can be easily tailored to suit the crops that grow there. In addition, a gravity-fed irrigation system that follows the loop structures ensures that all of the plants receive adequate hydration year-round. Smaller loops nested within larger loops offer additional control and organization, much like with folders and sub-folders. Ultimately, the flexibility and dynamism of this system allows it to be applied to any landscape and to be easily configured to its changing environment.