Food Producing Facades Key to a Sustainable Future

N.A.

Article Details

Food Producing Facades Key to a Sustainable Future

Authors:

N.A.

Publisher:

Selcuk University

Main Topics:

Peyzaj Mimarlığı

Journal:

Journal of Design Planning and Aesthetics Research Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.15-38

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001289337

pISSN:

2822-4175

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The built environment uses substantial and increasing amounts of energy, contributing to Urban Heat Island effect, while population growth and urban development have outpaced food production globally. There is a growing trend to introduce green infrastructure into the built environment via green roofs, green facades, and urban agriculture. Research is limited, however, into the use of food producing plants being grown on a living façade to improve total building performance. The purpose of this research study was to test the assertion that food producing plants can be grown successfully in a vertical greenery system or green wall integrated into an existing commercial building façade. Specifically, this dissertation investigates the role of integrating food producing plants into a living facade to positively impact four outcomes: food production, thermal performance, air quality and rainwater management in a temperate climate. This was a six-year long longitudinal research study. The findings from this study conclusively demonstrate that a maximum average production of 2.64 kilograms of produce per square meter of façade panel can be generated annually 0.54 lbs.ft2. The façade temperatures were reduced between 5.56oC-20.53oC 10oF-36.95oF with approximately 20 reduction in cooling energy, reducing urban heat island. Airborne small particulates PM2.5 were reduced a maximum of 5.6 for the living facade compared to the control. An average of 14.26 liters of rooftop rainwater per square meter of facade per day 0.35 galft2day was used for irrigation. In addition, observational studies revealed enhanced access to nature for building occupants, wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

 The built environment uses substantial and increasing amounts of energy, contributing to Urban Heat Island effect, while population growth and urban development have outpaced food production globally. There is a growing trend to introduce green infrastructure into the built environment via green roofs, green facades, and urban agriculture. Research is limited, however, into the use of food producing plants being grown on a living façade to improve total building performance. The purpose of this research study was to test the assertion that food producing plants can be grown successfully in a vertical greenery system or green wall integrated into an existing commercial building façade. Specifically, this dissertation investigates the role of integrating food producing plants into a living facade to positively impact four outcomes: food production, thermal performance, air quality and rainwater management in a temperate climate. This was a six-year long longitudinal research study. The findings from this study conclusively demonstrate that a maximum average production of 2.64 kilograms of produce per square meter of façade panel can be generated annually 0.54 lbs.ft2. The façade temperatures were reduced between 5.56oC-20.53oC 10oF-36.95oF with approximately 20 reduction in cooling energy, reducing urban heat island. Airborne small particulates PM2.5 were reduced a maximum of 5.6 for the living facade compared to the control. An average of 14.26 liters of rooftop rainwater per square meter of facade per day 0.35 galft2day was used for irrigation. In addition, observational studies revealed enhanced access to nature for building occupants, wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

 The built environment uses substantial and increasing amounts of energy, contributing to Urban Heat Island effect, while population growth and urban development have outpaced food production globally. There is a growing trend to introduce green infrastructure into the built environment via green roofs, green facades, and urban agriculture. Research is limited, however, into the use of food producing plants being grown on a living façade to improve total building performance. The purpose of this research study was to test the assertion that food producing plants can be grown successfully in a vertical greenery system or green wall integrated into an existing commercial building façade. Specifically, this dissertation investigates the role of integrating food producing plants into a living facade to positively impact four outcomes: food production, thermal performance, air quality and rainwater management in a temperate climate. This was a six-year long longitudinal research study. The findings from this study conclusively demonstrate that a maximum average production of 2.64 kilograms of produce per square meter of façade panel can be generated annually 0.54 lbs.ft2. The façade temperatures were reduced between 5.56oC-20.53oC 10oF-36.95oF with approximately 20 reduction in cooling energy, reducing urban heat island. Airborne small particulates PM2.5 were reduced a maximum of 5.6 for the living facade compared to the control. An average of 14.26 liters of rooftop rainwater per square meter of facade per day 0.35 galft2day was used for irrigation. In addition, observational studies revealed enhanced access to nature for building occupants, wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

 The built environment uses substantial and increasing amounts of energy, contributing to Urban Heat Island effect, while population growth and urban development have outpaced food production globally. There is a growing trend to introduce green infrastructure into the built environment via green roofs, green facades, and urban agriculture. Research is limited, however, into the use of food producing plants being grown on a living façade to improve total building performance. The purpose of this research study was to test the assertion that food producing plants can be grown successfully in a vertical greenery system or green wall integrated into an existing commercial building façade. Specifically, this dissertation investigates the role of integrating food producing plants into a living facade to positively impact four outcomes: food production, thermal performance, air quality and rainwater management in a temperate climate. This was a six-year long longitudinal research study. The findings from this study conclusively demonstrate that a maximum average production of 2.64 kilograms of produce per square meter of façade panel can be generated annually 0.54 lbs.ft2. The façade temperatures were reduced between 5.56oC-20.53oC 10oF-36.95oF with approximately 20 reduction in cooling energy, reducing urban heat island. Airborne small particulates PM2.5 were reduced a maximum of 5.6 for the living facade compared to the control. An average of 14.26 liters of rooftop rainwater per square meter of facade per day 0.35 galft2day was used for irrigation. In addition, observational studies revealed enhanced access to nature for building occupants, wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

Article Details

Food Producing Facades Key to a Sustainable Future

Authors:

N.A.

Publisher:

Selcuk University

Main Topics:

Peyzaj Mimarlığı

Journal:

Journal of Design Planning and Aesthetics Research Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.15-38

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001289337

pISSN:

2822-4175

Building Performance

Green Infrastructure

Living Façade

Urban Agriculture

Urban Heat Island.

Issues

Article Details

Food Producing Facades Key to a Sustainable Future

Authors: N.A.

Publisher: Selcuk University

Main Topics: Peyzaj Mimarlığı

Journal: Journal of Design Planning and Aesthetics Research Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.15-38

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 5/2023

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001289337

pISSN: 2822-4175

Building Performance

Green Infrastructure

Living Façade

Urban Agriculture

Urban Heat Island.

Issues

Authors:

N.A.

Publisher:

Selcuk University

Main Topics:

Peyzaj Mimarlığı

Journal:

Journal of Design Planning and Aesthetics Research Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.15-38

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001289337

pISSN:

2822-4175