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
| Mar 2, 2012
By the Numbers
66 skyscrapers to built in China over six years; 1,000 questions in the Modern Architecture game; 21,000 new jobs.
| Mar 1, 2012
AIA: A clear difference, new developments in load-bearing glass
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| Mar 1, 2012
Bomel completes design-build parking complex at U.C. San Diego
The $24-million facility, which fits into a canyon setting on the university’s East Campus, includes 1,200 stalls in two adjoining garages and a soccer field on a top level.
| Mar 1, 2012
Reconstruction of L.A.’s Dunbar Hotel underway
Withee Malcolm Architects’ designs for the project include the complete renovation of the Dunbar Hotel and the Somerville Apartments I and II.
| Feb 28, 2012
Roofing contractors recognized for workmanship
Sika Sarnafil announces Project of the Year winners; competition highlights visually stunning, energy efficient, and sustainable roofs.
| Feb 26, 2012
Milwaukee U-Haul facility receives LEED-CI Silver
The new elements of the facility now include: efficient lighting with day-lighting controls and occupancy sensors, a high-efficiency HVAC system used in conjunction with a newly constructed thermal envelope to help reduce energy consumption, and the installation of low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption.
| Feb 22, 2012
Siemens earns LEED certification for Maryland office
The Beltsville facility, which also earned the ENERGY STAR Label for energy performance, implemented a range of energy efficiency, water conservation and sustainable operations measures as part of the certification process.
| Feb 22, 2012
Suffolk awarded Boston post office renovation project
Renovation of art deco landmark will add 21,000 square feet of retail and 110 new parking spaces.
| Feb 20, 2012
Comment period for update to USGBC's LEED Green Building Program now open
This third draft of LEED has been refined to address technical stringency and rigor, measurement and performance tools, and an enhanced user experience.
| Feb 17, 2012
Tremco Inc. headquarters achieves LEED Gold certification
Changes were so extensive that the certification is for new construction and not for renovation; officially, the building is LEED-NC.
