SYMBIOSIS IN ARCHITECTURE

DISSERTATION

Submitted by

GAUTHAM SHANKAR . S

in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree

of

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

HINDUSTAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE

CHENNAI 603 103

SEPTEMBER 2018
CHAPTER 1

THE CONCEPT OF SYMBIOSIS AND AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

1.1 Introduction

Humans developed farms over ten thousand years ago. Back then humans used to live and farm at
the same place. Urbanization of the world created cities and suburbs. While breakthroughs in
technologies led to revolutions in all fields.

Farming being dismissed as a low end occupation and land becoming valuable
pushed farms further and further out of the city. Food started to transported in from all parts of the
country and even world. People started taking food for guaranteed, while being unaware about its
source.

From living and growing food at the same place to being disconnected to food
production is a drastic transformation. Today there are many issues that threaten traditional farming
methods and society is oblivious to these threats. Intensification of the city needs to take into account
food production. Food security in the form of Vertical Farming is needed.

This research project, Symbiosis in City, which brings food production in city, while taking into
account society’s needs, wants and context, aims to raise awareness and present a possible
architectural solution to this problem.
1.2 Project Outline
This project is a high rise mix use development with vertical farming, aquaponics, hydroponics,
aeroponics and several other techniques.
1.3 Research Question
 How can vertical farming be integrated in a high rise mixed use development?
 How all the facilities required for farming can be done in a buildings?
 What types of crops can be harvested by this type of farming?
1.4 Scope and Limitations
Farming can be done not only in land but also the places where the crops can find all its basic
requirements. Thus all types of crops cannot be cultivated in the vertical farming, there are specific
types of plants which are suitable for the vertical kind of farming. In some cases crops can be
biologically viable but not economically.
1.5 Symbiosis

Definition –

Symbiosis, which means "living together" in Greek, is any type of a close and long-
term biological interaction between two different biological organisms, be
it mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic.
Symbiosis can be obligatory, which means that one or both of the symbionts entirely depend on each
other for survival, or facultative (optional) when they can generally live independently

Principles of functioning nature: adaptation, transformation, growth, recycling, self-organization,

autonomy, multifunctional.

The concept of “Living city” involves a physical ability of architectural space to interact with
environment, adapt and create a new microclimate, create energy resources, reticulate waste, recover
and purify air, water and land using programmed protocells, microalgae, aerobic algae and bacteria.

Fig 1

In this research, architecture and agriculture are considered as two species. These two species
interact in multiple ways by symbiosis and form mutual benefit.

1.6 Agriculture Scenario in India

Agriculture in India has an extensive background which goes back to ten thousand years. At present,
India holds the second position in the world in agricultural production. It also contributes a major
share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. In addition, the sector recruits about 50%
of the entire manpower.

In terms of agricultural contribution, some of the most developed states in India are:

 Punjab
 Uttar Pradesh
 Madhya Pradesh
 Haryana
 Bihar
  Andhra Pradesh
 Maharashtra
 West Bengal
 Gujarat

Fig 2

All these states play a key role in the agrarian development of India.

The total arable territory in India is 15,73,50,000 km2, which represents about 52.92% of the overall
land zone of the country. Arable land in India is diminishing because of continuous strain from an
ever-increasing number of inhabitants and growing urbanization.
1.7salient
There are certain salient features of agriculture in India. Some of these are:

1.7.1. Subsistence Agriculture:

In India, usually the farmers, along with their family members, grow
crops in their small plot of land. The crops yield in this practice are mainly consumed by the farmer
and his family with very little surplus left for sale in the market. This type of agriculture has been the
most common practice in the country for over 700 years and still prevails in many parts of India.
1.7.2. Pressure of Population on Agriculture:
The population in India is increasing at a high rate and
this puts pressure on the agriculture sector. Agriculture has to provide food and employment to large
sections of the society. This means that there is a requirement of additional land for agriculture but
on the contrary the rapid growth in urbanisation has converted the agricultural land into non-
agricultural use.
1.7.3. Mechanisation of Farming:
In India, Green Revolution began in the sixties. Even after four
decades, complete mechanisation has not yet been achieved.
1.7.4. Dependency upon Monsoon:
Agriculture in India mainly depends upon monsoon, which is
unreliable, uncertain and irregular. Even though, since Independence, there has been a rapid
expansion in the irrigation facilities, still about two-thirds of the cropped area is dependent upon
monsoons.
1.7.5. Variety of Crops:
There is diversity in climate, topography and soil in India, hence, a wide
range of crops are grown in the country. India experiences both tropical and temperate climate and
therefore support the cultivation of crops suitable for both these climates. Throughout the world,
there are only few countries which have similar variety as compared to India.
1.7.6. Predominance of Food Crops:
It is of utmost priority for the farmers to produce and provide
food crops to the people of India. Farming is practiced in almost every part of the country and about
two-thirds of the total land is being used for agricultural purposes in India.
1.7.7. Seasonal Patterns: There are three distinct agricultural or cropping seasons in India - kharif,
rabi and zaid. Some specific crops are only grown during a particular season, for instance, rice is a
kharif crop and wheat is rabi crop.
CHAPTER 2

THE ISSUES

2.1 Growing Population

Farms have developed rapidly over the last 5 thousand years. Today land
equivalent to the size of South America is used for growing food for earth’s 6.8 billion population.

By the year 2050, another Brazil’s worth of land will be needed for agriculture production to feed
over 9 billion of earth’s population. In addition to that 80% of world’s arable land is already in use.
There is simply not enough land for traditional farming.

2.2 Deforestation

Deforestation is one of the major causes to the environmental degradation which is

affected by the agents like small farmers, ranches, loggers and plantation companies. There is a
broad consensus that expansion of cropped areas and pastures are a major source of deforestation.
Conversion of forests to agricultural land to feed growing needs of people. There are an estimated
300 million people living as shifting cultivators who practice slash and burn agriculture and are
supposed to clear more than 5 lakh ha of forests for shifting cultivation annually. In India, we have
this practice in North-east and to some extend in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and M.P. which contribute
to nearly half of the forest clearing annually.

2.3 Price Hike

There are many factors that go on to decide the price of the vegetables we eat. Let us
try to analyze some of the reasons the media cites as factors that affect prices of vegetables in
particular.

One fact we need to understand here is that when we are talking of vegetables, we are talking about
the most highly perishable food items so the time between when they are plucked from the field
and brought into the market should not be more than a few weeks.

Let us first see Production.

Of the available 194 million hectares of land for agriculture (total cropped area), the area under
vegetables in 2010-11 was 8.495 million hectares (viz., a little over 4% of the TCA) and the
country produced 146.5 million tons of vegetables in the same year. If you see below graph it
shows that vegetable production has increased over the years based on increase in area under crop.

If you divide the production quantity of last year by 2011 population (viz., 1.21 billion), you get a
per capita availability of 331.78g per day.
But it is important to note that because of the inherent perishable nature of the produce and short
shelf life of these crops, as much as 30-35% of it perishes during harvest, storage, grading,
transport, packaging and distribution. That brings down the per person availability of vegetables to
232.25g per day not counting exports, processing industry requirements, etc.

2.4 Pesticide and Food Borne Disease

No segment of the population is completely protected

against exposure to pesticides and the potentially serious health effects, though a disproportionate
burden, is shouldered by the people of developing countries and by high risk groups in each country
(WHO, 1990). The world-wide deaths and chronic diseases due to pesticide poisoning number about
1 million per year (Environews Forum, 1999).
The high risk groups exposed to pesticides include production workers, formulators, sprayers,
mixers, loaders and agricultural farm workers. During manufacture and formulation, the possibility
of hazards may be higher because the processes involved are not risk free. In industrial settings,
workers are at increased risk since they handle various toxic chemicals including pesticides, raw
materials, toxic solvents and inert carriers.
2.5 Climatic Effect
Climate change and agriculture are interrelated processes, both of which take
place on a global scale. Climate change affects agriculture in a number of ways, including through
changes in average temperatures, rainfall, and climate extremes (e.g., heat waves); changes in pests
and diseases; changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide and ground-level ozone concentrations;
changes in the nutritional quality of some foods; and changes in sea level.
Climate change is already affecting agriculture, with effects unevenly distributed across the
world. Future climate change will likely negatively affect crop production in low latitude countries,
while effects in northern latitudes may be positive or negative. Climate change will probably
increase the risk of food insecurity for some vulnerable groups, such as the poor. Animal agriculture
is also responsible for greenhouse gas production of CO2 and a percentage of the world's methane,
and future land infertility, and the displacement of local species.
Agriculture contributes to climate change both by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and
by the conversion of non-agricultural land such as forests into agricultural land. Agriculture, forestry
and land-use change contributed around 20 to 25% to global annual emissions in 2010.
A range of policies can reduce the risk of negative climate change impacts on agriculture and
greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector.
2.6 Globalization of Food
There’s a fascinating infographic from CIAT (International Center for
Tropical Agriculture) that illustrates the geographical diversity of the common foods we eat every
day. It shows that the globalization of food began centuries ago. Many cultures incorporate foods
that originated thousands of miles away. For example, sunflower originated in North America and is
now widely produced in Eastern Europe, and guava originated in Central America and is now mainly
produced in South Asia.

What’s more, a study on the globalization of food, points out that food systems are changing,
resulting in greater availability and diversity of food, though access to food is not guaranteed. This
means that there is a gradual shift toward a universal food culture that is changing what foods people
eat, which has led to both under nutrition and obesity in poorer countries. Reuters reported that while
under nutrition is falling globally, few developing countries are succeeding in tackling obesity.
2.7 Problems Faced by Agriculture Sector in India
2.7.1. Stagnation in Production of Major Crops:
The production of some of the major crops in
India like wheat has become stagnant for some time now. It is worrisome for the policy makers and
planners of the country as there is a huge gap between the demand and supply of growing population
and production.
2.7.2. Soil Exhaustion:
Although, Green Revolution has brought a positive impact in India, but on
the other hand it has also resulted in negative impact. One of the biggest impacts is soil exhaustion
which means depletion of nutrients in the soil due to farming of same crops again and again. Soil
exhaustion generally takes place in rain forest areas.
2.7.3. Decrease in Fresh Ground Water:
Another negative impact of Green Revolution is the
decreasing amount of ground water. Green Revolution is successful in some areas due to the use of
chemical fertilizers and irrigation. In dry regions agricultural practices are done with the help of
irrigation activities which is carried out by ground water usage. This has led to an alarming situation
in context of ground water situation. The continuous practice of such farming activities may result in
famine-like situation.
2.7.4. Costly Farm Inputs:
The past few years have witnessed an increase in the prices of farm
inputs such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, farm labour and others. The increasing cost puts the
low and medium land-holding farmers at a disadvantage.
2.7.5. Agricultural Marketing:
In rural India, agricultural marketing is in a bad shape. The farmers
depend on local traders and middlemen to sell their products at very low prices. Sometimes, under
socio-economic situations they are forced to sell their produce at low rates. Lack of organised market
structure, middlemen and traders dominate the market and they also take away a large share from the
sale of farm produce.
2.7.6. Lack of Storage Facilities:
There is a lack of adequate food storage facilities available in the
rural areas of the country. Due to this, the farmers are not left with any other option but to sell their
products instantly after harvesting, and that too at prices which are below the prevailing market rates.
Better storage facilities are essential for the benefit of the farmers as well as the consumers.

CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 3
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN VERTICAL FARMING

Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than
choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth
hormones.

Organic production is a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse
communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock and people. The
principal goal of organic production is to develop enterprises that are sustainable and harmonious
with the environment.

Organic farming promotes the use of crop rotations and cover crops, and encourages balanced
host/predator relationships. Organic residues and nutrients produced on the farm are recycled back to
the soil. Cover crops and composted manure are used to maintain soil organic matter and fertility.
Preventative insect and disease control methods are practiced, including crop rotation, improved
genetics and resistant varieties. Integrated pest and weed management, and soil conservation systems
are valuable tools on an organic farm. Organically approved pesticides include “natural” or other
pest management products included in the Permitted Substances List (PSL) of the organic
standards. The Permitted Substance list identifies substances permitted for use as a pesticides in
organic agriculture. All grains, forages and protein supplements fed to livestock must be organically
grown.

The organic standards generally prohibit products of genetic engineering and animal cloning,
synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, synthetic drugs, synthetic food processing
aids and ingredients, and ionizing radiation. Prohibited products and practices must not be used on
certified organic farms for at least three years prior to harvest of the certified organic products.
Livestock must be raised organically and fed 100 per cent organic feed ingredients.

Organic farming presents many challenges. Some crops are more challenging than others to grow
organically; however, nearly every commodity can be produced organically.

Fig 3: Earthworms are used to increase the soil fertility

3.1. Why Organic?

The main reasons farmers state for wanting to farm organically are their concerns for the
environment and about working with agricultural chemicals in conventional farming systems. There
is also an issue with the amount of energy used in agriculture, since many farm chemicals require
energy intensive manufacturing processes that rely heavily on fossil fuels. Organic farmers find their
method of farming to be profitable and personally rewarding.

Consumers purchase organic foods for many different reasons. Many want to buy food products that
are free of chemical pesticides or grown without conventional fertilizers. Some simply like to try
new and different products. Product taste, concerns for the environment and the desire to avoid foods
from genetically engineered organisms are among the many other reasons some consumers prefer to
buy organic food products. In 2007 it was estimated that over 60 per cent of consumers bought some
organic products. Approximately five per cent of consumers are considered to be core organic
consumers who buy up to 50 per cent of all organic food.

3.2. The Transition Period

The first few years of organic production are the hardest. Organic standards require that organic
lands must be managed using organic practices for 36 months prior to harvest of the first certified
organic crop. This is called the “transition period” when both the soil and the manager adjust to
the new system. Insect and weed populations also adjust during this time.

It may take five to 10 years to become totally organic, but a long term approach is often more
successful than a rapid conversion, especially when financial constraints are considered. Parallel
production (producing both organic and conventional versions of the same crop or livestock
product) is not allowed. Use good sanitation, visually different varieties, individual animal
identification and other systems to maintain separation and integrity of the organic and
conventional products. Good records are essential.

Fig.4 Profits of organic farming in European countries.

In organic production, farmers choose not to use some of the convenient chemical tools available to
other farmers. Design and management of the production system are critical to the success of the
farm. Select enterprises that complement each other and choose crop rotation and tillage practices to
avoid or reduce crop problems. Yields of each organic crop vary, depending on the success of the
manager. During the transition from conventional to organic, production yields are lower than
conventional levels, but after a three to five year transition period the organic yields typically
increase.

Certain insect or disease pests are more serious in some regions than in others. Some pest problems
are difficult to manage with organic methods. This is less of an issue as more organically approved
biopesticides become available. Marketable yields of organic horticultural crops are usually below
non-organic crop yields. The yield reduction varies by crop and farm. Some organic producers have
added value to their products with on-farm processing. An example is to make jams, jellies, juice,
etc. using products that do not meet fresh market standards.

3.3. Benefits in Urban Farming

During the past years, urban farming, growing food in urban areas has become a world-wide trend,
and it keeps on growing. It has become stylish, it is being claimed to be the future of food, and new
"smart gardening" brands are popping up faster than ever. With the help of urban farming, one can
produce even so much as 100 times more food than with regular farming (per square foot). It's all
about the direction - most urban farms are designed vertically, that allows to grow produce in as
many levels as possible on a square foot. Weather is a actually a very, very minor factor for food
production via urban farming, since it usually takes place indoors and relies on the water system
installed, artificial lighting, and nutrients already worked-in in the soil. Most urban gardening
systems lead to considerable water, power and space savings. The thing is that that water, power and
space savings aren't financially sustainable only. The more we switch our everyday food production
to urban farms rather than regular farms, the more we decrease the development of drought, soil
erosion and similar problems.

Urban farming forces farmers to grow crop in an even more controlled and conscious manner, which
leads to more possibilities to grow organic food without extra investment. The main reason
something isn't organic is because the farmer is forced to use chemical pesticides to ensure a good
yield when the environmental factors are not crop-friendly. As we mentioned above, the weather, the
environmental factor is reduced to minimum in urban farming, so there is no actual need for using
chemical growth regulators. All it takes is a good quality soil that contains nutrients (and as we can
see from our Smart Soil, there is no need to use harsh chemicals to ensure 99.9% productivity),
excellent lighting system and good quality water. Since the environmental and season factor is
minimized to almost a zero in urban farming, it is possible to harvest anything any time. You can
forget about the best sowing times indicated on seed packets and climate requirements of each plant.
CHAPTER 4

4.1 WHY VERTICAL ?

Aim is to produce more food using less resource, deliver fresh produce at lower cost and supplying
directly to consumers while lowering environmental impacts. Since growing population is expected
to live in cities and city is a dense urban place where land is extremely valuable both economically
and geographically, operating a traditional farm is not viable. Going vertical opens up a whole new
world where new technologies, studies, experiments and industries collide to create infrastructure
that grows food. Vertical farming is a technical approach to food security. It provides solutions to the
implications facing traditional farming and it responds to the plans proposed by the council.

4.1.1 Less resource

Traditional farming uses 70% of less than 1% of potable water in the world. In comparison vertical
farming uses 70 - 95% less water in hydroponic systems. Food miles are eliminated as food is grown
locally close to the consumer, which saves abundance in fossil fuel usage and is environment
friendly. With added benefit of being resilient. As food is grown locally, local industries can also
benefit.

4.1.2 Higher yield

Crops grown indoor in a controlled condition assure there are no weather related
crop failures. Year around crop production is an added benefit. Resources like water, light,
temperature and humidity can be user controlled for optimizing growth. Further, 1 acre of vertical
farm is equivalent to 10 - 20 acres of soil based traditional farming. 90% of crops are harvested as
opposed to traditional farming where 50% of crops are not harvested.

4.1.3 health and safety

There are no pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers used to produce food. Making

produce safe for consumption. Food borne diseases and deaths can reduce if not completely
eliminated.Similarly agriculture run off and contamination of produce during handling and
transportation is also minimized.

4.1.4 Ecological restoration

Multistory vertical farming facility not only reduces footprint for agriculture
growth, it also frees up farmland previously used for traditional farming and allows it to return back
to its original ecological state. Which means restoration of hardwood forests.More hardwood forests
reduce carbon levels and increase biodiversity in nature.

4.1.5 More jobs

Vertical farm is labor intensive, requiring a wide range of works to grow crops,
monitor growth, economics, work in labs etc. Once ready for harvesting, more man hours are needed
to collect, store, process and sell the produce. The entire process therefore creates a lot of jobs.

4.1.6 Controlled environmental agriculture

 Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) is a technology-based approach
toward food production. The aim of CEA is to provide protection and maintain optimal growing
conditions throughout the development of the crop. Production takes place within an enclosed
growing structure such as a greenhouse or building. Plants are often grown using hydroponic
methods in order to supply the proper amounts of water and nutrients to the root zone. CEA
optimizes the use of resources such as water, energy, space, capital and labor. CEA technologies
include hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaculture, and aquaponics.

Controllable variables:

Temperature (air, nutrient solution, root-zone, leaf)

Humidity (%RH)

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Light (intensity, spectrum, duration and intervals)

Nutrient concentration (PPM, EC)

Nutrient pH (acidity)

Pests

CEA facilities can range from fully 100% environmentally controlled enclosed closed loop systems,
to fully automated glasshouses with computer controls for watering, lighting and ventilation, to low-
tech solutions such as cloches or plastic film on field grown crops and plastic-covered tunnels.

CEA methods can be used to grow literally any crop, though the reality is a crop has to be
economically viable and this will vary considerably due to local market pricing, and resource cost
.Crops can be grown for food, pharmaceutical and nutricinalv applications. It can also be used to
grow algae for food or for biofuels.

Using CEA methods increase food safety by removing sources of contamination, and increases the
security of supply as it is unaffected by outside environment conditions, and by eliminating
seasonality create stable market pricing which is good for farmer and consumer alike.

CEA is used in research so that a specific aspect of production can be isolated while all other
variables remain the same. Tinted glass could be compared to plain glass in this way during an
investigation into photosynthesis. Another possibility would be an investigation into the use of
supplementary lighting for growing lettuce under a hydroponic system.

A February 2011 article in the magazine Science Illustrated states, "In commercial agriculture, CEA
can increase efficiency, reduce pests and diseases, and save resources. Replicating a conventional
farm with computers and LED lights is expensive but proves cost-efficient in the long run by
producing up to 20 times as much high-end, pesticide-free produce as a similar-size plot of soil.
Fourteen thousand square feet of closely monitored plants produce 15 million seedlings annually at
the solar-powered factory. Such factories will be necessary to meet urban China's rising demand for
quality fruits and vegetables."[5] Controlled environmental agriculture or CEA combines
chemistry, horticulture, engineering, plant physiology, plant pathology, computers and entomology.
Creating a form of intensive hydroponically based agriculture. Temperature, humidity, carbon
dioxide levels, light, nutrient concentration and PH can be controlled for optimizing plant growth
indoor.Making it possible to grow plants in completely artificial environments. These variables can
be altered to optimize plant growth, therefore increasing productivity and economics of the business.
Main component of CEA is hydroponics, which is a method of growing plants using nutrient water
solution.

The vertical farming model is essentially an indoor farm based on a high-rise multi-level
factory design. Typical features include innovative use of recycled water augmented by rainwater or
water from a desalination plant, automatic air-temperature and humidity control, solar panel lighting
and heating, and turnable 24-hour LED illumination. The LED equipment can be controlled
throughout a growing season to emit a programmed spectrum of light that is optimal for
photosynthesis for different types of crops. When coupled with regulation of temperature and
humidity, the effects of seasonality can be minimized or eliminated.

An indoor vertical farm may not even need soil if hydroponics is used. This cultivation technique
involves growing plants in a soil-free culture with nutrient solutions. The plants are suspended in a
medium, such as rock wool or perlite, and provided with nutrients, or the roots are directly bathed in
the nutrient liquid using the nutrient-film technique. Air conditioning provides a constant flow of air
which can be enriched with carbon dioxide (CO2) to further advance plant growth and development.
Both ambient and nutrient temperatures can be held at specific levels that optimize the rate of plant
growth. Any nutrients and water not absorbed by the roots can be recycled rather than lost to the
system. The approach is consistent with CGG food production. It can be used to grow a wide range
of crops, pharmaceuticals, or herbs.

A variant of hydroponics is aeroponics which involves spraying the roots of plants with atomized
nutrient solutions or mist). There is reduced need for fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides if there is
effective isolation from a harsh external climate. Such a factory would essentially eliminate common
constraints and risks to productivity, including heat and drought, pests, seasonality, and
transportation costs from remote locations. Volatility in markets can be addressed because
production can be planned according to demand. There are also implications for future food security
and sustainability in the face of climate change and diminishing land and water resources.

The principal design elements of a vertical farm and its

derivatives are shown in . The use of wind turbines and storage
batteries for solar panels add even further attraction to this
approach. A multi-level vertical farm may take on many
configurations including conversion from existing disused
warehouses or apartment blocks. An example of a green building
with similar characteristics to a vertical farm is shown in .
Conversion of building stock from office or residential use to
vertical farming has potential for addressing the oversupply of
inner urban high-rise developments.

Figure 5. Components of a vertical farm and

their interactions.
4.2 Advantages of vertical farming

The future vision is a world full of skyscrapers with multiple levels cultivating crops throughout the
year. In addition to generating more farmland on a single ground-level footprint, this would,
according to a review by The Economist ‘slash the transport costs and CO 2emissions associated with
moving food over long distances. It would also reduce the spoilage that inevitably occurs along the
way.’ In putting forth his pioneering conception, Despommier outlined a number of reasons why
vertical farming could be highly attractive to policy makers: all-year-round crop production; higher
yields (by a factor of six or more depending on the crop), avoidance of droughts, floods, and pests;
water recycling; ecosystem restoration; reduction of pathogens; provision of energy to the grid
through methane generation from compost; reduction in use of fossil fuels (no tractors, farm
machinery, or shipping), and creation of new jobs. The closed environment could conceivably be
also suitable for translation to other planetary environments in the context of space exploration).The
claimed benefits of vertical farming can be categorized and summarized in terms of economic,
environment, social, and political dimensions .

4.2.1 Economic advantages

The economic advantages of vertical farming are numerous and include the prestige of marketing
premium CGG food with export-sales potential and a lower cost base due to protection from floods,
droughts, and sun damage. There are essentially no requirements for fertilizers, herbicides, or
pesticides. No soil is needed if hydroponics is used, only nutrients and a water supply.

There is no requirement for long-distance transportation due to localized production and no need for
farm machinery such as tractors, trucks, or harvesters. There are no seasonality issues because
continuous crop production occurs all-year round and can be programmed to match demand. An
economic benefit may arise from reallocation of large rural farms to energy production from solar
and wind sources.

Vertical farming could provide a competitive edge for Australia by combining extensive research
and development with farming experience, big data, and modern technology to improve productivity.

4.2.2 Environmental advantages

The environmental benefits are significant, including providing healthy organic food not
contaminated from chemicals. There is greatly reduced use of fossil fuels by avoiding transportation
from rural zones to the urban customer base. Burning fossil fuels can be minimized by employing
solar panels, roof-top wind turbines, and storage batteries. This will lead to a reduction in ecosystem-
carbon levels.

Fresh water is augmented by evaporation of black and gray water to conserve water resources. There
is also the potential to rejuvenate the national ecosystem so that rural land is reclaimed for
vegetation. Most importantly, vertical farming supports environmental sustainability.
4.2.3 Social advantages

Vertical farming will provide new jobs in engineering, biochemistry, biotechnology, construction,
maintenance, and research and development opportunities for improving the technology. Enhanced
productivity can lead to lower food and energy costs and improve discretionary incomes. The
oversupply of high-rise apartments and disused warehouses in capital cities can be reduced by using
empty buildings for multi-storey farms close to the consumer, rejuvenating neglected neighborhoods.
The model may help to address isolation in remote rural communities by re-skilling workers in
technology for vertical farms in local towns and cities.

4.2.4 Political advantages

A key political advantage of vertical farms is that climate-change commitments are more easily
satisfied and the technology supports adaptation and mitigation. The closed-system approach
supports biosecurity because of greater protection from invasive pest species. A distributed network
of vertical farms has lower blackout risks and there is also reduced dependence on a few large power
stations that are vulnerable to earthquakes or terrorist attacks.

4.2.5 Energy consumption

Energy requirements are based on whether there is a need for stand-alone off-the-grid farming or not,
which is not in itself a critical factor. Some researchers have developed a rule of thumb that the area
of solar panels required would need to be a factor of twenty times greater than the arable area on a
multi-level indoor farm, which was impossible for rooftop solar at that time Since then, project
sponsors have submitted plans for a new high-rise residential tower in Melbourne that is sheathed in
high-efficiency photovoltaics and new generation LED lighting. The proposed Sol Invictus building
is described as an ‘off-the-grid’ 60-level residential tower that will have rooftop-wind turbines,
doubled-glazed windows, and battery storage from the solar panels It was reported that the facade
would have an area of 3,000 square meters of photovoltaics plus 300 square meters of similar
equipment on the roof. This represents technology that is already two years old and further
improvement is likely by the time construction begins two years from now. The external energy
requirements of an indoor farm have diminished greatly and are likely to approach off-the-grid
operation at some time in the near the future.

4.2.6 Skilled workforce for new jobs

Farming in high-rise buildings will generate new careers for technologists, project managers,
maintenance workers, marketing, and retail staff. There will need to be workers to manage planting,
cultivation, monitoring, harvesting, and research and development .Consulting engineers will be
required to install and manage air-conditioning, water recycling, and lighting controls. In
industrialized economies, there are few problems in providing skilled labor or scientific resources
due to the supply of university-educated workers.

At the same time, novel industries may develop to provide advanced electronic instrumentation and
services with consulting professionals advising on derivatives of the vertical farming concept, such
as rooftop gardens on apartment buildings, office blocks, restaurants, hospitals, and a technology-
driven resurgence of the backyard greenhouse .The new jobs created may prove to be more highly
skilled and diverse and probably increase overall employment in the food-production sector. The
semi-automation of some aspects of the food cycle will also provide opportunities for robotics and
software engineers for process improvement.

It is also possible to conceive of social benefits that may accrue from the vertical farming model of
food production. It is well established that rates of depression and suicide are higher in remote
regions and part of this problem relates to isolation and lack of a vibrant social network, especially
for Vertical farming has elements of a collective enterprise with social interactions among activities,
providing meeting places for socially isolated staff with opportunities for new friendships.

4.2.7 Clean, green, and gourmet (CGG) food

The possibility of CGG food production is easily the most attractive feature of the vertical farming
model. This aspect is less price sensitive to affluent consumers in high-demand countries such as
China. All-year-round crop production without seasonality, in a climate-controlled environment
(including both temperature and humidity), will produce fresh produce virtually on demand. There
would be no weather-related crop failures due to drought or flooding if hydroponic and aeroponic
technologies are employed.

Using recycled water and nutrients in a closed, indoor, climate-controlled environment adds to food
security and can reduce or even completely eliminate the need for pesticides and herbicides.
Contamination by pathogens or heavy metals will no longer be an issue as occurs in rural farming.
There is scope for marketing the product in this respect. Strict hygienic practices must still be
observed to minimize the risk of introduction of pathogens and biological contamination into the
growing space. However, in a vertical farming situation, one can closely monitor the crop for signs
of pest or disease both manually and automatically using sensing technologies. This mode of
cultivation is very well suited to adopting new and emerging robotic technologies as well as remote-
sensing procedures. This means that outbreaks are detected early to enable diseased and infested
plants to be identified and disposed of appropriately. Any residual contamination can be cleaned up
when the crop is harvested using strict hygienic practices.

One possible obstacle to vertical farming is that some consumers may regard the products as
‘Frankenfoods,’ as discovered by managers of a giant underground farm supplying London’s
restaurantsand another business that supplies between 8% and 12% of the British output of tomatoes,
peppers, and cucumbers. For this reason, some enterprises may not publicize growing conditions for
fear of alienating consumers and destabilizing sales potential. To minimize this issue, it can be
stressed that growing conditions are not different from existing hydroponic facilities with respect to
germplasm, nutrition, and other cultural and production practices. Furthermore, the plants are derived
from natural breeding programs with normal nutrients supplied. There is an advantage that plants are
grown in a hygienic environment with reduced need for pesticides and are in a closed system so there
is no environmental pollution from nitrogen leaching or run-off.
 CHAPTER 5

PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF PLANTS

Presence of indoor plants can be directly associated with reductions in the stress and negative mood
states in an office environment. In an experiment conducted, presence of plants reduced POMS31
scores at an average of 34.5%. Plants need to be nearly to “relieve attention fatigue” and giving a
feeling of calmness. This links back to our evolution, when human ancestors were dependent on
plants for shelter and security. While analysis also showed reduction of 50% in stress levels with
plants, overall the study concluded that just one plant per workspace can lift spirits, promote
wellbeing and increase performance.34 Another two years experiment concluded that indoor plants
play an integral part in creating supporting environment that contributes to patient’s fast recovery.
The living space of modern people has moved from outdoors to indoors - more than 85% of a
person’s daily life is spent indoors. Developments in information technology have allowed people to
connect and remain connected to the computer environment. However, this diffusion of information
technology causes a great deal of stress, such as techn- stress , which is a modern disease of
adaptation caused by an inability to cope with the new computer technologies in a healthy manner.
Many studies have been carried out to evaluate various ways to control this psychological stress; for
example, the effect of a natural environment on human beings has been actively studied since the
1980s. A number of studies are also underway concerning the physiological and psychological effect
of interacting with plants. Plants relieve physiological stress and negative psychological symptoms.
This finding has important implications because the cardiovascular system can be damaged by
overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system as a result of a stressful situation.

In recent years, the comforting effect of a natural environment has been verified, and further
evidence-based studies are underway. Various experimental approaches have been attempted in
regard to physiological measures, which can verify the beneficial effects of natural stimuli
quantitatively. A contact with plants is an intuitive and nonverbal activity that can provide
psychological stability and comfort by stimulating four senses in various ways. Indoor plants have
drawn the attention of the scientific community because of their various benefits: they enhance job
satisfaction in office workers , reduce psychological stress , improve mood states , and enhance
cognitive health. These effects can positively affect resistance to diseases and chronic stress but
rigorous evidence is lacking. With the present methods of psychological assessment, health benefits
of indoor plants cannot be sufficiently explained. Furthermore, few studies have investigated the
physiological mechanism underlying the health benefits due to indoor plants.
Comparison of psychological assessments between plant and computer
stimuli. (A) Feelings of comfort, (B) the feeling of relaxation, and (C) the feeling of
naturalness. N = 24, mean ± SD, **P < 0.01 according to the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

5.1 IMPROVED AIR QUALITY AND ECONOMICAL BENEFITS

In ongoing studies it is being discovered that presence of indoor plants have the capacity to reduce
air borne Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) VOCs can be found in building materials like paint,
resins etc. Along with some cleaning products. These have a long term effect on human health that
can lead to respiratory problems and has the potential to cause cancer in the long run.Previous
studies performed by the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) indicated that plants
and associated soil microorganisms may be used to reduce indoor pollutant levels.
 Figure 6

5.2 IMPLICATIONS OF INDOOR PLANT

Implications of Indoor Plants Having plants indoors can cause pollen related allergies`. A working
environment that provides comfortable conditions for employees to do their work optimally is a
fundamental requirement for a healthy work environment, whether or not plants were present.
Concerns grown surrounding the quality and effectiveness of office working environments on
employee productivity and happiness .This problem can be solved with over the counter medication
or consulting with professional and selecting plants carefully .Toxic black mold thrives on moist soil,
which is a necessity for plants. Usage of hydroponic systems eliminate soil altogether, reducing this
problem. Plants with soil needs to be maintained regularly and placed in well lit areas. Same goes for
pest infestation which can be controlled my occasional checks for fungus of insects. For a vertical
farm, strict controls are in place to avoid any contamination. With added technologies and
precautions wide range of issues are eliminated. Exposure to house hold plants needs to be limited.
 CHAPTER 6

VARIETY OF PLANT SPECIES AND THEIR BENEFITS

6.1 DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Dietary Requirements Need 3 serving of vegetables and at a minimum 2 servings of fruits a day.
“This is the very minimum required for good health.” Servings is about handful and everyone uses
their hands to measure as serving sizes. A serving for an adult will be different than a serving for a
child. Eating 5+A Day reduce the risk of major chronic diseases and eating up to 5 servings daily
gives a greater health benefit. Healthy living requires balance. Eating too many or too few nutrients
can cause serious health problems. Striving for variety and balance in the foods you choose can help
you maintain a healthy body and pursue an active lifestyle. Your individual nutrition needs may vary
slightly from those of your spouse or your best friend, but everybody needs vitamins, minerals,
carbohydrates, proteins and fats to maintain health.

6.1.1 BRAIN

Many nutrients that can be sourced in vegetables are important for brain function. Some of these
nutrients include Folate, Niacin, Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Iron. Minimum RDI of >10%
of three of these nutrients is required which can be found in . Vegetable included are Brussels
Sprouts, Swedes, Peas, Red Capsicum, Sweet Corm, Globe Artichoke, Broccoli, Kumara, Radish,
Silverbeet, Spinach, Snow Peas.

6.1.2 HEALTHY SIGHT

The most important vitamins for betterment of sights is Vitamin A, which is not commonly found in
vegetables. However vegetables do include selected carotenoids like beta-carotene which can be
converted by vitamin A by our bodies. Minimum RDI of >25% is required which can be found in
Butternut pumpkin, Carrots, Pumpkin, Orange Kumara, Buttercup squash, Watercress, Spinach,
Kale, Puha, Rocket, Chinese cabbage, Silverbeet.

6.1.3 SUSTAINED FIBRE/ SOURCE OF ENERGY

The most important vitamins for betterment of sights is Vitamin A, which is not commonly found in
vegetables. However vegetables do include selected carotenoids like beta-carotene which can be
converted by vitamin A by our bodies. Minimum RDI of >25% is required which can be found in
Butternut pumpkin, Carrots, Pumpkin, Orange Kumara, Buttercup squash, Watercress, Spinach,
Kale, Puha, Rocket, Chinese cabbage, Silverbeet.

6.1.4 IMMUNITY

Immune system is arguably the most important as it protects body against infections and diseases.
Vitamin A, Vitamin C along with Copper, Iron selenium, Zinc, Folate and Vitamin B6 are need.
Minimum RDI of >10% of Vitamin A and a minimum of >10% is needed to quality for category.
These can be found in Watercress, Silver beet, Spinach, Rocket, Red capsicum, Broccoli, Tomatoes.
6.1.5 HEALTHY INTESTINE

Fiber is an important source for digestive health as it contributes towards regular laxation.
Vegetables with water content 90% or higher are suited to comply with this category. Vegetables
include spinach, Puha, Chicory leaves, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, Broccoli, Butter beans,
Silver beet, Watercress, Florence fennel, Turnips and Carrots.

6.1.6 VITAL HYDRATION

Produce with potassium content of 280mg to 100g is recommended along with moisture content of
90% or higher. Vegetables Include: Courgettes, cauliflower, celery, carrots, different varieties of
lettuce, leeks, Endive, Florence fennel.

6.1.7 HEALTHY JOINTS AND BONES

Daily intake of calcium and vitamin D enriched produce is important for bones. Some evidence
suggest that Vitamin C and Vitamin K also contributes to normal structure of cartilage and normal
bone structure. Good sources of vitamin C up to 10-25 RDI and 25 RDI of vitamin K is
recommended to comply with this category. Vegetables includes are Kale, Spinach, Brussels sprouts,
broccoli, spring onions, lettuce, asparagus, cabbage and Leeks.

6.1.8 HEALTHY SKIN

Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, Biotin and Riboflavin contributes to healthy skin. These nutrients are
necessary for normal skin membrane structure and function as well as wound healing. A minimum of
two of these vitamins is necessary to maintain healthy skin. Recommended RDI is 10%.
Recommended Veges include Broccoli, Capsicums, Peas, Pumpkin, Spinach.

6.2 DIETARY NEED TABLE

FRUITS
 CHAPTER 7

AGRICULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE

Sunlight is an essential source of energy for any food source. Weather it is plants taking sunlight and
transforming it into food, animals eating said food or these animals becoming a source of food for
other animals. All is dependent on solar energy. It is also a crucial in architecture design. Solar light
can be used to enhance design forms and features, or can become a passive source of heat and light
source. Similarly, soil and land plays an important role both in architecture and agriculture. When,
where, what and how crops are grown are dependent on fertility of soil and geographical and
climatic context. Architecture is similar, in that the design of the building is utterly depends on
orientation of site and context.

7.1 FUNCTION

Functional aim of the dissertation is to design and combine vertical farming facility with mix use
building. As a result creating a closed loop system that combines various systems. Integration of
these systems creates harmonic relationship between all the elements and creates an artificial
ecosystem in the building.84 When systems work together in synergy they produce a result that
cannot be attained if they work independently. In an ecosystem such as this the systems move
forward in more organic way, with minimal to zero waste.

Symbiotic relationships are developed within different species. For example, aquaponics is a system
where both fish and plants benefit from each other. Humans and plants exchange carbon dioxide and
oxygen. Plants and fishes are the food sources for humans. Organic waste from the species is
processed to generate bio fuel and fertilizer . While this ecosystem is not physically seen in the
architecture, it comes a program of the building that connects everything. In this elaborate system
different species are interlinked to each other.

7.2 AQUAPONICS

Perhaps the most sophisticated system of all. This system combines fish farming with vegetation
farming. Fishing living in nutrient reservoir. Microbes are added to chemically change the make up
of the solution. It is then filtered through plant growing medium returning the solution back to fish
tanks.
 figure 8 aquaponics

7.3 HYDROPONICS

7.3.1 Drip system

Most common of all hydroponic systems. Nutrient reservoir is kept separate from pants. Pump and
network of tubes connects to plants individually and over flow drain connects excess nutrient
solution back into the reservoir.

figure 9 drip system

7.3.2 Nutrient flim technique

NFT is used in commercial systems. Unlike other systems it does not require a timer. Water is
directed to the growing tray and is drawn back to nutrient reservoir. Slope of the tray needs to be
sufficient enough to ensure water reaches the bottom.
 figure 10 NFT system

7.4AEROPONICS

Plants are suspended in the air, with the roots hanging down. Nutrient solution is pumped up a tube
and a second pump sprays the solution as a fine mist on the dangling roots. .Aeroponics is the
process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate
medium(known as geoponics).

figure:11 Aeroponics

7.5 GROWING REQUIREMENTS

Growing requirements and needs for the produce also needs to be considered. Mostly plants require 6
– 8 hours of sunlight during the day. Harvest time, humidity levels, temperature, ph of the water,
storage requirements are equally important as well.

7.6 PRECEDENTS

7.6.1 precedents categories

Vertical Farming – The approach to vertical farming as a concept. Productivity and market values.
Urban Design and site – Analyzing the approach to Urban Design issues and how that informed the
design. How different aspects of urban living influenced design decisions.
Form – How form is informed by requirements for a vertical farming building. How form is
enhancing the architectural expression.

Facade treatment and spatial arrangement – How facade responds to the needs of vertical
farming function.

Sustainability and ecosystem – Sustainable elements incorporated in the building

7.6.2: Experimental Vertical Farm Claudio Palavecino Llanos 2009 – Chile

Vertical Farming EVF is designed to house all biological processes from plantation to dispatch for
consumption. Designed specifically for Chile, the designer takes into account the current Chilean
agricultural condition.

Urban Design and site The idea of ‘urban action’ is implied in the design and site selection. Wasted
urban like ‘clovers ‘alongside motorways are utilized by placing the EVF prototype. Changing them
into useful and valuable areas while adding greenery to otherwise barren junctions. This enhances
urban design of the city as a whole.

Form

Circular form is ideal in vertical farm building as sunlight is allowed into the building throughout the
day from all directions inside crop surfaces. The cylindrical form for vertical farming building is
used quite extensively as well, like in lake vertical farm design by Blake Kurasek.

Spatial arrangement incorporates all agricultural production

processes from planting, maintenance to production, with circulation and services core in the middle
leaving face of the building available for full sun exposure during the day. Floor plates have ramps
going to the levels above making the entire building a spiral ramp.

The double bio-climatic skin has different shades of green surface designs to increase photosynthesis
performance. The double skin façade is user controlled which allows users to open or close windows
allow to allow for better oxygen to carbon dioxide exchange or keeping carbon dioxide inside for
better photosynthesis. Façade also doubles up as structural skin creating structural perimeter. This
allows for structure free open plan farming surface inside

Sustainability and ecosystem

An artificial ecosystem has been managed within the building. The

ecosystem incorporates food producing building while keeping energy and resource consumption to
a minimum. Therefore solar panels are used for energy collection.

Over view

Though it is designed to suit Chilean conditions, EVF has key elements which can be implemented
in any vertical farming building. Contrary to the selected site, EVF has no intimidate buildings
around makes it easier to get sunlight in through out the day.

7.6.3 Vertical Greenhouse for Urban Agriculture Plantagon 2015 - Linköping, Sweden

Vertical Farming

First and as of now the only building constructed specifically for vertical farming. The greenhouse is
60 meters high and has produces produce using hydroponic methods. The building is located near a
motorway connecting nearby Toplanro and bio gas power plan. Site itself is in a relatively isolated
location and is not a CBD or even an urban location. However since bio fuel generator is at close
proximity organic waste from the greenhouse will be re-used in the biogas plant.

Form

Plantagon as a company has developed a form prototype for vertical farming building. The slanted
form is ideal for capturing max amount of sunlight as the surface area of the façade is increased.
Shape is functional but crude.

The front slanted part of the building is designated for farming, while the
back part of the building has been designed as a 16 story office building. The office part of the
building will house Plantagon’s head office as well. A restaurant, conference, visitors center,
industrial process are all also accommodated in areas with minimum sun light.

Façade is designed as a sunlight capturing device with external glass skin. Façade is also utilized to
incorporate structure which frees in the internal layout for open plan farming arrangement.

Sustainability and ecosystem

The project is described as “a model for the whole world to demonstrate that you can actually grow
food efficiently and safely in a large city.”By combining various technologies and methods a
symbiotic system is produced within the building. Organic waste will be transformed into bio gas
making it zero waste building.
Over view

It is encouraging to see world’s first specifically designed urban farming building. The design
however is very industrialized which does suit the function. The fact that it is not in an urban
environment plays well in its favor as architectural and urban design aspect is not properly
addressed. The form is something that works well for a capturing long hours of sun light and will be
utilize this form in massing studies.

7.6.4 EDITT Tower: Ecological Design in The Tropics TR Hamzah & Yeang 1998– Singapore

Vertical farming

Not designed specifically as a vertical farming building, EDITT incorporates organic local
vegetation in almost half of the building’s floor area. The project integrates green space to human
use area in the ratio of 1:2. The building is located in busy intersection in urban Singapore. Building
encourages public interaction by providing accessible ramps connecting to upper floors. Vegetation
is designed to be continuous alongside the ramp as well as there are high level bridges connecting to
surrounding building for better urban connectivity. The street is lined with retain, restaurants and
plants making a green belt.

Form

Building form is relatively jagged which does set it apart from the context. Greenery around the
building adds more organic component to the design. In section, the 26 story building allows for
double to triple height spaces for plans to allow for maximum sunlight.
 Building has been designed to be future proof as many floors and walls can be moved or removed
quite conveniently.60 Due to be constructed soon, the building will incorporated recycled and
recyclable materials in and around the building. Plans also include a bio gas generator, greenery on
face allows for passive natural ventilation Composite timber-floor cassettes will replace the
commonly used concrete floors to achieve gains in energy-efficient construction.

Sustainability and ecosystem

Because of city’s excessive rainwater, the design incorporates water management and collects
rainwater for plant irrigation and grey water uses. 855 m2 of photovoltaic panels provide for 39.7%
of building’s energy needs. Engineers have conducted energy and greenhouse gas efficiency studies
of the building and architects have taken into account these studies and made decisions accordingly.

Overview

There are very unique elements in the design like the ramp connecting street life to upper levels of
the building, which is a good way to invite people into the building. Maximum usage of rainwater,
photovoltaic panels and bio gas generation technologies add value to the project even though these
are not visible to general public. Attention to detail in selection of materials as well as studies
conducted makes the building more valuable.

7.6.5 5 Vertical Harvest Penny McBride and Nona Yehia 1998– Jackson, Wyoming, America

Vertical farming

Designed and operating as a hydroponics vertical greenhouse it is amongst the world’s first of its
kind. Built on a site measuring 405m2 it produces 45 360 kilograms of produce annually. Their main
produces includes wide selection of microgreens, herbs, m Jackson, at an altitude of over 1800
meters and growing season lasting on a couple of months is an unlikely place for urban farming. A
feasibility study conducted by Wyoming Business Council concluded it is possible to operate a
vertical farm in Jackson Hole. Unlike other precedents, vertical farm is added on to existing parking
lot.This puts two distinctive uses together, making the architecture more interesting as well.ixes,
leafy greens and tomatoes.

Form

Jackson, at an altitude of over 1800 meters and growing season lasting on a couple of months is an
unlikely place for urban farming. A feasibility study conducted by Wyoming Business Council
concluded it is possible to operate a vertical farm in Jackson Hole. Unlike other precedents, vertical
farm is added on to existing parking lot.66 This puts two distinctive uses together, making the
architecture more interesting as well.
Facade is mainly glass which is an ideal choice to let maximum amount of sunlight into the building.
A growing carousel designed to rotate vertically on the face of the building giving plants equal time
in natural light. Three farm is spread across 3 floors and includes exposed mechanical system room,
classroom, training areas, visitor viewing platforms and various vertical farming infrastructure.

Sustainability and ecosystem

Economical sustainability is taken into account as vertical harvest produce is not expected to
compete with area growers. The produce grown will compete with produce being imported from
other states, therefore reduction in food miles. Local businesses will not be charged for transportation
related mark ups. Like many other newly developed vertical farming facilities, the main intention is
to be a educate community about vertical farming.

Over view

Because it is an addition to existing building it shows the lack of large scale treatment for this
typology of buildings. Having said that the building has had a big impact despite being of a small
scale. It is described as a public amenity,70 which explains integration of visitor functions across the
building.
 CHAPTER 8

IMPLEMENTATION OF VERTICAL FARMING .IN BUILDINGS