The city of Jackson, Wyo., gets around 400 inches of snow falls a year, and its valley location means most of the city’s produce is brought in from other places, ArchPaper reports. With these two conditions, there can be times when the city is cut off and becomes a food desert.
This sparked the concept of building vertical gardens so the city has a better chance of self-sustaining when it comes to fresh produce. Sustainable community specialist Penny McBride and designer Nona Yehia came together and founded Vertical Harvest Jackson Hole, which will construct a three-story, 13,500-sf hydroponic greenhouse to be placed on leftover land that’s only one-tenth of an acre. The company enlisted Larssen Ltd. to engineer the greenhouses and assist with design.
Though the greenhouses may be lean and narrow, the multiple stories add up to five acres of agricultural space. A timed, carousel system will revolve trays of plants to maximize south sun exposure.
“We will be growing 100,000 pounds of vegetables a year,” Yehia said, adding that the produce can be sold to restaurants, hospitals, and the local community.
Fruits and vegetables aren’t the only thing Vertical Harvest will produce—jobs will also be part of the greenhouse’s repertoire.
“Vertical Harvest will establish an innovative model to employ an under-served Wyoming population: adults with developmental disabilities,” the firm said in a statement.
The greenhouses are slated to open in December 2015.
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Nov 16, 2015
Italian architect designs vertical forest with prefab units by BuroHappold
Cantilevered planters will host cedar trees and other plants hundreds of feet above ground.
Green | Nov 16, 2015
USGBC Working Group approves new guidance for LEED Materials & Resources Credit 4
Helps product manufacturers offer insight into material and supply chain sustainability
Green | Oct 30, 2015
First WELL-certified city district will be built in Tampa, Fla.
The plan calls for the construction of a $2 billion, 40-acre urban mixed-use development, where all buildings will pursue WELL Certification.
Sponsored | Green | Oct 22, 2015
Six-story living wall improves building performance at University of Ottawa
Benefits of the living wall include dust control and sound abatement.
Green | Oct 21, 2015
GBCI announces 2015 class of LEED Fellows
The 35 winners have demonstrated leadership within the green building movement.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 15, 2015
Montreal apartment is world’s largest residential cross-laminated timber project
Its 434 condo, townhouse, and rental units in three eight-story buildings are made from sustainably harvested wood turned into panels by Canadian company Nordic Wood Structures together with the Cree Nation in Chibougamau.
Green | Oct 5, 2015
ULI report: Commercial real estate properties cutting emissions, energy use
The new report from ULI’s Greenprint Center shows a positive trajectory of real estate properties worldwide reducing energy and water use.
Green | Oct 1, 2015
New York showcases an urban farm for public housing
Providing healthy foods and job training are two of this project’s missions.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 28, 2015
Vo Trong Nghia’s 'diamond lotus' will feature sky garden pathways linking high-rises
The 22-story housing complex in Ho Chi Minh City will have façades covered with plants and a rooftop garden that connects the structures.
Green | Sep 11, 2015
GBI releases Green Building Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings for public comment
Revised ANSI standard open for review through Oct. 26
