INDOOR URBAN FARMING

GROWING ORGANIC FOOD AT HOME

BY: Clara Rodriguez

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 INDOOR URBAN FARMING
GROWING ORGANIC FOOD AT HOME

Clara Daniela Rodriguez Bravo

Director: Josep Maria Fort
MBDesign. Master Degree in Advanced Studies in Design -Barcelona
Contemporary Design
Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Barcelona
Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña

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To my family that has always
been supporting me.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract............................................................................................................................... 17
Resumen............................................................................................................................. 18
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 20

1. CONTEXT
1.1 Context:......................................................................................................................... 23
1.2 Facts:............................................................................................................................ 24

2. INVESTIGATION DESIGN
2.1 Aim................................................................................................................................ 26
2.2 Why grow Our food at home?....................................................................................... 26

3. METHODOLOGY
3.1 Hypothesis.................................................................................................................... 28
3.2 User............................................................................................................................... 28

4. FRAMEWORK
4.1 Food.............................................................................................................................. 30
4.1.1 Nutrition and health ............................................................................................... 31
4.1.2 Food Security......................................................................................................... 32
4.1.3 Food Waste............................................................................................................ 34
4.2. Agriculture.................................................................................................................... 35
4.2.1 Climate Change..................................................................................................... 36
4.2.2 Urban farming: sustainable solution....................................................................... 37
4.3. Soilless agriculture...................................................................................................... 39

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 4.3.1 Soilless agriculture story........................................................................................ 40
4.3.2 Aeroponic system................................................................................................... 42
4.3.3 Aeroponic system operating Diagram.................................................................... 44
4.3.4 Pros and Cons of Aeroponics................................................................................ 45
4.3.5 Harvestig and cultivating times of indoor and outdoor agriculture......................... 47

5. STUDY CASES
5.1 Green Bronx Machine................................................................................................... 49
5.2 Growroom ................................................................................................................... 52
5.3 Aerofarms.................................................................................................................... 55

6. STATE OF ART
6.1 Tower Garden................................................................................................................ 60
6.2 Moma Exclusive: Veritable Smart Indoor Garden......................................................... 62
6.3 Herbert......................................................................................................................... 64
6.4 The Aeva: Furniture that feeds you.............................................................................. 68
7. THE DESIGN
7.1 Inicial Concept............................................................................................................... 71
7.2 Strategy......................................................................................................................... 72
7.3 Design process............................................................................................................. 74
7.4 FinalProduct.................................................................................................................. 78
7.5 Frontal view................................................................................................................... 79
7.6 Lateral View................................................................................................................... 80
7.7 Section.......................................................................................................................... 81
7.8 Exploited axonometry................................................................................................... 82

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7.9 Pieces........................................................................................................................... 83
7.10 Renders....................................................................................................................... 84
7.11 Technical specifications and materials........................................................................ 87
7.12 Budget......................................................................................................................... 88
7.13 Mobile app Features................................................................................................... 89
7.14 Viability....................................................................................................................... 91
Conclusions......................................................................................................................... 92
Bibliography........................................................................................................................ 93
References.......................................................................................................................... 94
Appendix............................................................................................................................. 97

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 IMAGES
Image 01. Fruits and Vegetables. Source: Hunger + Health............................................... 31
Image 02. Food Security. Source:Steemit........................................................................... 32
Image 03. Food Waste. Source: Foodlosofia...................................................................... 34
Image 04. Monculture cropping suffers under extreme conditions. ................................... 36
Image 05. ReGen village vertical farming system. Source: EFFEKT Architects................. 38
Image 06. Lettuce in Hydroponycs System. Source: Maximum YIeld............................... 41
Image 07. Roots exposed in an aeroponic system.Source: Alice Biotech.......................... 43
Image 08. Kids harvesting.Source: towergarden.com........................................................ 46
Image 09. Harvesting on Aeroponic System. Source: Greenbronxmachine.org................. 50
Image 10. Students harvestibg on Aereoponis System. Source: greenbronxmachine.org.51
Image 11. The Growroom. A spherical green house. Source: ikea.today........................... 52
Image 11. The Growroom’s walls are brimming with herbs and other plants and it smells in-
credible. Source: ikea.today................................................................................................ 53
Image 12. The three behind The Growroom. Source: ikea.today....................................... 54
Image 13. the world’s largest indoor vertical farm, Newark, NJ. Source: aerofarms.com... 55
Image 14. Aerofarm Technology. Source: aerofarms.com.................................................. 56
Image 15. Tower Garden Advanced Class. Source: truegarden.com................................. 60
Image 16. Smart Indoor Garden. Source: store.moma.org................................................. 62
Image 17. Smart Indoor Garden. Source: store.moma.org................................................. 63
Image 18. Smart Indoor Garden. Source: store.moma.org................................................. 63
Image 19. Herbert Indoor Garden. Source: www.kickstarter.com....................................... 64
Image 20. Herbert Indoor Garden. Source: www.kickstarter.com....................................... 65

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Image 21. What can we cultivate with Herbert. Source: www.kickstarter.com.................... 66
Image 22. Tmes to harvest pizza ingredients . Source: www.kickstarter.com.................... 67
Image 23. Comparison of time to harvest of salad . Source: www.kickstarter.com............ 67
Image 24. The Aeva at Home. Source: www.justvertical.com............................................. 68
Image 25. Set up the AEVA and plant your seeds. Source: www.justvertical.com.............. 69
Image 26. Fill the water reservoir once every two weeks. Source: www.justvertical.com... 69
Image 27. Harvest what you’re ready to use. Source: www.justvertical.com...................... 69
Image 28. Perspective final design . Source: own.............................................................. 78
Image 29. Frontal view of final design . Source: own......................................................... 79
Image 30. Frontal view of final design . Source: own......................................................... 80
Image 31.Final design placed in a kitchen . Source: own................................................... 84
Image 32.Final design placed in a kitchen with user . Source: own.................................... 85
Image 33.Final design placed in a kitchen with user . Source: own.................................... 86

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 GRAPHICS
Graphic 01 Important facts context. Source: own.o........................................................... 24
Graphic 02 Aeroponic System perating iagram. Source: own ........................................... 44
Graphic 02 Tower Garden functioning illustration. Source: towergarden.com .................. 61
Graphic 03 Tower Garden functioning illustration. Source: towergarden.com .................. 61
Graphic 04. First idea for the design of the modules Source: own ................................... 71
Graphic 05. Design strategy. Source: own ........................................................................ 73
Graphic 06. Digital sketch of the design. Source: own ...................................................... 74
Graphic 07. Digital sketch of the design. Source: own ...................................................... 75
Graphic 08. Digital sketch of the modules for the design. Source: own ............................ 76
Graphic 09. Digital sketch of the system adapted to the design. Source: own ................. 77
Graphic 10. Frontal view draw of the design. Source: own ............................................... 79
Graphic 11. Lateral view draw of the design. Source: own ............................................... 80
Graphic 12. Lateral view draw of the design. Source: own ............................................... 81
Graphic 13. Exploted Axonometry of the design. Source: own ......................................... 82
Graphic 14. Pieces of the design. Source: own ................................................................ 83
Graphic 15. Mobile app features. Source: own ................................................................. 89
Graphic 16. Mobile app scketch. Source: own .................................................................. 90

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TABLES
Table 01 . Harvestig and cultivating times of indoor and outdoor agriculture. .................... 47
Table 02 . Aeroponic cultivating module and furniture Budget. Source : own..................... 88

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ABSTRACT

This final work of master is about the design of an indoor

urban cultivating module with furniture that supports it, and al-
lows to place it in an easier way at users homes, it also aims to
motivate people to use new ways of getting their food, and to
be part of the solution our planet needs to reverse the impact
of our actual agricultural methods.

When we cultivate what we eat, we use less water, protect

yields and ecosystems, and save energy and plastic used in
the food process and transportation.
#Quality Food
Modern technologies to cultivate food, such as aeroponic sys- #OptimizationofResources
tem, are allowing to produce better quality food, in lees time, #UrbaFarming
and with less resourses. #CultivatingTechnologies

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RESUMEN

El presente trabajo de fin de master se trata del diseño de

un modulo de cultivo para jardinería interior, además de un
mueble sobre el cual se soporta, de esta manera se facilita al
los usuarios la colocación del mismo en casa. También busca
motivar a las personas a usar nuevas formas de obtener ali-
mentos, y de esta forma ser parte de la solución que nuestro
planeta necesita para contrarrestar el impacto que ocasionan
los métodos de agricultura actuales.

Cuando cultivamos lo que comemos , usamos menos agua,

protegemos los suelos y los ecosistemas, ahorramos energía
y reducimos el consumo de plástico usado en todo el proceso
de transportación de los alimentos
#Alimentosdecalidad
Las tecnologías modernas para cultivar , como el sistema
#Optimizaciónderecursos
aeropónico , nos perite producir mejor calidad de comida en
#AgriculturaUrbana
menos tiempo y con menos recursos.
#TecnologíasdCultivo

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INTRODUCTION
In response to the increased demand of food, the impact of tra-
ditional ways of farming in yields and natural resources, there
is a need to find new ways to feed the growing population in
more sustainable ways. Organizations and companies bet on
urban agriculture, to bring food closer to the consumers, saving
resources, energy, and lowing prices. Besides by 2030, 60% of
world’s population is expected to live in the city. (5)

Unconventional methods for farming without soil, such as hy-

droponics, aquaponics
and aeroponics, have a lot of advantages over traditional meth-
ods, for example they can be placed in various kind of places
and are operated under control conditions allowing to obtain
higher productivity and quality.(6) besides by bringing farms
closer we are reducing energy in transportation and plastic use
in packaging.

On the other hand our lifestyles nowadays makes it difficult for

us to be aware of what are we consuming as our food, more
over the uneven economic growth, social and economic trans-
formations are shaping food systems and diet (1) making nutri-
tional problems common, such as overweight, obesity, under

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nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. In a world where it is
cheaper to buy low quality food than organic and more nutri-
tious ones, where the most vulnerable ones are the most af-
fected, it’s a necessity to change something that assures ev-
eryone at all social classes the security of food.

By growing our own food at home we make sure we are con-

suming fresh quality food without the use of pesticides, we
become aware of what we are consuming and we create a
more ecological culture in our family. In addition to improving
our life quality, we are taking part of the solution by reducing
food waste when we cultivate what we need.

In this final work of master it has been used the aeroponic sys-
tem for cultivating, to design an indoor gardening module with
its furniture, making it easy to coupe it to any home, making the
process of farming at home easy and simple.

Also there will be an application by which all users can com-

municate with each other, share their knowledge, clear their
doubts with the help of others users, the application will also
include cultivation advices, recipes, etc. Even it will build a
community of users that can exchange their products, sharing
this with others the benefits of a healthier diet.

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1. CONTEXT

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1.1 CONTEXT:
Conventional ways of agricul-
ture are not sustainable any-
more, resources and energy
are being wasted, agriculture
sectors are responsible of
the 70% of water use, and
have considerable impact on
the health of soils, forest and
ecosystems (3). If we want to
reverse this situation and stop
climate change, we have to
be more responsible an con-
scious of the situation our
planet is facing nowadays, we
have to realize that if we don’t
change the way we use our
natural resources, soon there
will not be enough to sustain
our life in the planet.
Being agriculture and the
food production process and
transportation, an important
and major aspect for the life
of human beings, improving
the cultivation process and
transportation will assure
natural resources to be used
in a more efficient conserving
them.
There are many solutions to
make soil agriculture more ef-
ficient minimizing its impact,
and there are also new alter-
natives such as urban farm-
ing, that is getting more strong
and common every day, in big
scale like urban vertical farms
or in small scale as indoor
gardens to cultivate food at
home.
By using this alternatives we
contribute to reduce the use of
water, plastic and the energy
used in the transportation of
food from places far from the
city. Besides by cultivating
what we eat at home we get
first hand high quality food, a
better conscious when choos-
ing what we eat and a more
ecological culture is generat-
ed helping us to be healthier.
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1.2 FACTS:

One third of all 800 million people

food produced globa- suffer from chronic
1 lly is lost or wasted.
2 undernourishment,

Agricultural sectors are

Agricultural sectors are
responsible for about responsible for 20-25%

3 70% of global water use. 4 of global greenhouse gas

emissions.

According to FAO agricul-

tural production will have
By 2030, 60% of
world’s population is

5 to increase by
2050
by 60% . 6 expected to live in the
city.

Aeroponyc sistem can reduce Aeroponic system yields

water usage by 98%, fertilizer by 45 to 75 percent

7 usage by 60%, and pesticide

usage by 100%. 8 more than traditional
farming methods.

Graphic 01 Important facts context. Source: own. Adapted from :Climate is changing. Food
and agriculture must too [online]. 2016. [Accessed 20 June 2019]. Available from: http://www.
fao.org/3/a-I5758E.pdf; EI-KAZZAZ, AA. Soilless Agriculture a New and Advanced Method for
Agriculture Development: an Introduction. Agricultural Research & Technology:Open Access
Journal [online]. 4 January 2017. Vol. 3, no.

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2. INVESTIGATION DESIGN
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2.1 AIM
Create a product with modules system that facilitates the pro-
cess of growing organic food at home for people or families
living in the city.

This product can also give access to organic food to people

that doesn’t have it for economic or geographic reasons.

2.2 WHY GROW OUR FOOD AT

HOME?
Growing edible plants at home would provide organic first-hand
food and an improvement in the quality of life of the people that
consume them. It would also encourage a family activity where
children can learn and connect with nature, creating a more
ecological culture.

Besides the energy consumption that involves transporting

food from far away places would be reduced, in the same way
the consumption of plastic used in the packing.

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3. METHODOLOGY
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3.1 HYPOTHESIS
Growing edible plants at home would provide organic first-hand
food and an improvement in the quality of life of the people that
consume them. It will also reduce the consumption of energy
used in the transportation of food from places away from the
city, and it will lower the use of plastic in packaging.

3.2 USER
People who live in urban areas or in the surroundings who
want to grow their own food, for reasons of sustainability or to
ensure the quality of their food.

Description:
- Ana and Pedro
- 34 and 36 years old
- 2 children
- They like to eat healthy and look always for organic options.
- They are interested in keeping their children in contact with
nature.

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4. FRAMEWORK
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4.1 FOOD

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 4.1.1 NUTRITION AND HEALTH
Some problems with our
health appear when our habits
or choices on what we eat are
inappropriate, knowing how to
choose correctly what we con-
sume is important to improve
our well-being and lifestyle.
“Good nutrition is the first de-
fence against diseases and
our source of energy”. (1) In
children nutritional problems
can lower their learning ca-
Image 01. Fruits and Vegetables. Source:
Hunger + Health
pacities compromising their
futures, while children are the
most exposed to malnutrition,
the right to adequate food is
universal for all, even so prob-
lems like under nutrition, mi-
cronutrient deficiencies and
obesity exist around the world
and in all socio-economic
classes.(1)
Although food systems are
transforming due to climate
change, environmental stain-
ability and technological shifts
pursuing new ways to feed a
growing population in sustain-
able ways, uneven economic
growth, social and economic
transformations are shaping
food systems and diet as well,
making overweight, obesity
and related disease increase,
and under nutrition and micro-
nutrient deficiencies persist(1)
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 4.1.2 FOOD SECURITY
“Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physi-
cal and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food
that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an ac-
tive and healthy life” (2)

There are four dimensions of food security:

Physical Availability of food: it’s about the supply and its de-
termined by the level of food production, stock levels and net
trade. (2)

Economic and physical access to Food: in order to achieve

food security objectives in this dimension, Concerns about in-

Image 02. Food Security.

Source:Steemit
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sufficient food access have resulted in a greater policy focus
on incomes, expenditure, markets and prices. (2)

Food utilization: Sufficient energy and nutrient intake by indi-

viduals is the result of good care and feeding practices, food
preparation, diversity of the diet and intra-household distribu-
tion of food. Combined with good biological utilization of food
consumed, this determines the nutritional status of individuals
(2)

Stability of the other three dimensions over time: Even if your

food intake is adequate today, you are still considered to be
food insecure if you have inadequate access to food on a pe-
riodic basis, risking a deterioration of your nutritional status.
Adverse weather conditions, political instability, or economic
factors (unemployment, rising food prices) may have an im-
pact on your food security status. (2)

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 4.1.3 FOOD WASTE
One third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted, this amount is about 1.3 billion tonnes,
more than enough to feed the 800 million hungry people in the world. In developed countries
a significant proportion of food is wasted before it reaches markets due to the practice of dis-
carding food that is aesthetically unappealing or has passed expiration date while it can still be
consumed.(3)

Image 03. Food Waste.

Source: Foodlosofia
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4.2. AGRICULTURE

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4.2.1 CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change affects food
security, in the world there
are 800 million people suffer-
ing from chronic undernour-
ishment, many of them are
small scale farmers who are
hit by higher temperatures
and weather related disasters.
This disasters are increasing
in frequency and intensity due
to climate change. Adopting
sustainable agricultural prac-
tices can improve the resil-
ience of agricultural activities
to a variable weather (3)
Agricultural sectors are re-
sponsible for about 70% of
global water use and have a
considerable impact on the
health of soils, forest and eco-
system services. They are
Image 04. Monculture cropping suffers under extreme
also responsible for 20-25% of
global greenhouse gas emis-
sions. Sustainable agricultural
practices can stop and even
reverse the over-exploitation
of natural resources and deg-
radation of ecosystems.(3)
According to FAO agricultural
production will have to in-
crease by 2050 by 60% to feed
the growing population, at the
same time climate change is
expected to reduce yields of
basic foods, that’s why it’s im-
portant to make a transition to
more productive and sustain-
able forms of agriculture.(3)
conditions. Source: made for minds
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4.2.2 URBAN FARMING: SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION
“The rapid growth of cities in the developing world is placing
enormous demands on urban food supply systems. Agriculture
[…] is increasingly spreading to towns and cities. Urban agri-
culture provides fresh food, generates employment, recycles
urban wastes, creates greenbelts, and strengthens cities’ re-
silience to climate change”. (4)

Urban farming can make an important contribution for food

access, allowing the producer to consume what he produces
avoiding the waste of food. In the big scale urban farming is
locally produced food that requires less transportation, and
packaging it can supply markets near with fresher and more
nutritious products at lower prices.(4) By 2030, 60% of world’s
population is expected to live in the city. (5)

Urban consumers rely on purchased foods brought from ru-

ral areas, in response of high food prices and interrupted food
supplies many urban poor have long practiced urban and peri-
urban agriculture as livelihood strategy. Their number has in-
creased and they are generally more food secure and benefit
from more diverse diet(5)

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Image 05. ReGen village vertical farming
system. Source: EFFEKT Architects

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4.3. SOILLESS AGRICULTURE

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4.3.1 SOILLESS AGRICULTURE STORY
Agriculture without soil dates
back to several hundred years
BC, it was used by ancient
civilizations. The Aztecs start-
ed a method of suspended
gardens based on hydropon-
ics at Lake Tenochtitlan during
the 10th and 11th centuries.
Nowadays there are various
techniques based on non-soil
agriculture like Hydroponics,
Aquaponics and Aeroponics,
that can be placed in various
kind of places and are oper-
ated under control conditions
allowing to obtain higher pro-
ductivity.(6)
The earliest published work
on growing plants without soil
was Sylva Sylvarum by Sir
Francis Bacon in 1627, who
named his scientific meth-
od “water culture”. IN 1666
Robert Boyle described the
first experiments on growing
plants with their roots sub-
merged in water. And on 1699
John Woodward published his
experiments with spearmint
in which he found that plants
grow better in less-pure water
than in distilled water. In 1860
mineral nutrient solutions for
stillness plants was perfected
by the German botanist s, Ju-
lius von Sachs and Wiilhelm
Knop. The first commercial
proposal of water culture sys-
tem was made on 1929 by
Professor William Frederick
Gericke of the University of
California at Berkeley. The
term “hydroponics” was cre-
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ated Gericke in 1937. BY the
year 1940 Gericke wrote the
book “Complete Guide to Soil-
less Gardening”, however two
nutritionists at the University
of California, Dennis R. Hoa-
gland and Daniela I. devel-
oped since 1938 the nutrition
solution used for hydroponics
until now.(6)
“The function of soilless cul-
tivating method is stimulating
plant growth while controlling
the quantities of water, mineral
salt sand most important, dis-
solved oxygen”. (6) The more
oxygen the plants receive, the
more their growth accelerates

Image 06. Lettuce in Hydroponycs System.

Source: Maximum YIeld

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4.3.2 AEROPONIC SYSTEM
The are many soilless culti- and prevent light from reach-
vating systems that are be- ing the roots that hang in the
ing used nowadays such air. The roots are misted for
Hydroponic, Aquaponic and only a few seconds with nu-
Aeroponic, in this work we will trient solution found in a res-
talk about Aeroponic, that is ervoir by a pump actioned by
the system that is going to be a timer every 2-3 minutes.
used in the final design. The plants in this system are
grown in holes in panels and
Aeroponic system like all soil- the roots are suspended in
less system doesn’t use water midair beneath the panel and
or soil, which makes it cleaner, in a closed container sealed to
preventing the spread of bac- impede the system to be pol-
teria, this method can reduce luted. (6)
water usage by 98%, fertilizer
usage by 60%, and pesticide There are three types of aero-
usage by 100%, all while max- ponic systems, the first is high
imizing their crop yields by 45 pressure (60-90 psi), this one
to 75 percent. (7) doesn’t uses water pump, in-
stead it uses an air compres-
This system requires enclo- sor. The enclosure tank is di-
sure to hold in the humidity vided by an elastic separator

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in two sides, the supplement
arrangement is in one side and
air and roots in the other. The
second type is low pressure,
the most commonly known,
uses submersible water
pumps and sprinkler heads,
the pressure needed depends
on the number of sprinklers
being used. The third one is
ultrasonic foggers that make
a fog with just a little water.(6)

Image 07. Roots exposed in an aeroponic

system.Source: Alice Biotech

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 4.3.3 AEROPONIC SYSTEM OPERATING DIAGRAM

Mist Nozzle

Activate the mist

nozzle every 2-3 min
Add nutritious
solution
Water:
change every
2-3 weeks
Graphic 02 Aeroponic System perating
Nutrient Pump
iagram. Source: own
Timer

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4.3.4 PROS AND CONS OF AEROPONICS
Pros: Cons:

• Easy maintenance, the roots • If some of the parts of the

container, the reservoir and system breaks down, the
irrigation channels need plants can be damaged, that’s
regular disinfecting. why it has to be checked regu-
larly.
• Because the nutrient ab-
sorption rate is higher, there • When you grow plants at
is less need for nutrients and home with aeroponic system
water. a certain level of knowledge is
required, the amount of nutri-
• The cultivating modules of ents required is essential.\
aeroponic system are easy to
move. • The high cost of the aero-
ponic cultivating module, but it
• Growing edible plants at is compensated when we pro-
home has great educational duce organic high quality food
values, kids can see them for our consumption. (8)
grow within a controlled envi-
ronment.(8)

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Image 08. Kids harvesting.Source: towergar-
den.com

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 4.3.5 HARVESTIG AND CULTIVATING TIMES OF INDOOR
AND OUTDOOR AGRICULTURE

Gardening Calendar
When to plant? Hours of
What? Where? When to harvest? Water
Spring Summer Fall Winter light
Inside 52 days aprox 10 days to
1 Tomatoes
Outside 130 days 6 to 8 2 weeks
Inside 40 days aprox twice a
2 Broccoli
Outside 100 days 4 to 6 week
Inside 68 days aprox twice a
3 Strawberries
Outside 170 days 6 to 8 week
Inside 14 days aprox twice a
4 Spinach
Outside 35 days 3 to 4 week
Inside 28 days aprox twice a
5 Green Peas
Outside 70 days 4 to 5 week

Table 01 . Comparation of harvestig and cultivating times of indoor and outdoor agriculture. Source: Adapted from https://when2plant.com/ (When to plant vegetables) https://gardening.ilimler.
co/gardening/2215/ https://www.buzzfeed.com/mallorymcinnis/thyme-to-garden?utm_term=.mjor8BL1pP#.yeZXZ8EalA

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5. STUDY CASES
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5.1 GREEN BRONX MACHINE
High School teacher Stephen
Ritz created a food growing
project whit his students from
South Bronx in New York, ‘’the
most socially deprived district
in the United States, with over
40% of residents living be-
low the federal poverty line”.
the Green Bronx Machine
projects has been adopted
in schools over the United
States and beyond, and has
won hundreds of awards.
Mr Ritz Green Bronx Machine
produces a harvest of fruits
and vegetables, it has grown
over 35000 pound of food,
that feeds the students, teach-
ers, plenty is taken home, and
more is sold in the community.
(9)
This project started by acci-
dent when Mr Ritz received a
box of 250 daffodil bulbs as a
gift, he put it behind the radia-
tor and forgot about it, some-
time later one of his students
found behind of the radiator a
box of blooming flowers, the
kids were really excited about
it and Mr Ritz channeled all
this excitement into a project,
growing flowers for ornamen-
tal community gardens.(9)
At the same time Mr Ritz
became aware of the poor
quality of food that hi and his
students were eating, so he
decided to grow food instead
of flowers. at first the grow-
ing was outdoors, but then
he encountered indoor plant
growing system and realized
this can be used to bring the
project into classroom, he
wanted to do something more
replicable and not limited by
seasons.
The GBM created a better en-
vironments in the classrooms,
provided vitamins needed to
the students and had a dra-
matic impact in school perfor-
mance.(8)
To encourage the students to
get involved in the project Mr
Ritz gave each one of them a
role, the process begun whit
the cultivating of the food and
ended in the sale, all of this
documented, he went from
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40% of attendance of his stu-
dents in 2008 to 96% on 2015,
many of his alumni found em-
ployment as a result of their
work in GBM, the program
helped to create over 2200
sustainable youth jobs.
“Now they are cultivating in
high-tech indoor tower gar-
dens, creating vertical cornu-
copias, with edible walls of
raspberries, columns of kale
and cucumbers, barricades of
blueberries and broccoli.”(9)

Mr Ritz was one on the 10 fi-

nalist in the Global Teacher
Prize on 2015

Image 09. Harvesting on Aeroponic System.

Source: Greenbronxmachine.org

50
Image 10. Students harvestibg on Aereoponis
System. Source: greenbronxmachine.org

51
 5.2 GROWROOM

Image 11. The Growroom. A spherical green

house. Source: ikea.today

52
 The Growroom is an ur-
ban farm, its design is open
source, this means that every-
one has access to the plans
to build it. Behind this project
is SPACE 10, the future liv-
ing lab of IKEA based in Co-
penhagen, dedicated to study
Image 11. The Growroom’s walls are brim-
ming with herbs and other plants and it
smells incredible. Source: ikea.today
the future or urban living and
challenges that people faces
nowadays, their goal is to find
sustainable solutions for it.
The architects behind Grow-
room are Sine Lindholm and
Mads-Ulrik Husum, who won
the architecture competition
of pavilion style urban farm,
held by SPACE 10 and Chart
Art Fair (a program supported
by the municipality of Copen-
hagen for cultural events ex-
ploring the crossover between
arts, design, architecture, mu-
53
 sic, performance and gastron-
omy)..
According to SPACE 10 direc-
tor of communications, urban
farming is an important trend
for alternative food. as they
were looking for information
they realized that it will be
needed 70% more food within
the next 35 years. At the same
Image 12. The three behind The Growroom
taking a well-earned pause during the IKEA
Festival. Source: ikea.today
time the current way food is touch, just like we’re sitting
produced is really unsustain- here.” And in a festive ur-
able.(9) ban atmosphere, the sphere
provides welcoming respite.
The architects of Growroom “The Growroom supports your
said, “you can connect with sense of well-being so you can
the green and get close to it, actually produce food on your
creating a calmness for your doorstep, but it’s also a place
senses. You can smell and where you can get away.”(10)
54
 5.3 AEROFARMS

Image 13. the world’s largest indoor vertical

farm, Newark, NJ. Source: aerofarms.com

55
Image 14. Aerofarm Technology. Source:
aerofarms.com

56
Aerofarms transform agricul-
ture by building farms near
population centres, disrupting
the traditional supply chains,
allowing local production of
food with great quality and
flavour, their aeroponic tech-
nology permits to cultivate
all year round enabling local
farming at commercial scale
all year round. Using 95%
less water and with yields 390
times higher per square foot
annually.
They recently begun growing
the world largest indoor verti-
cal farm in Newark, NJ. And
they have farms in develop-
ment around the world.(11)
The Technology:
• Aerofarms grow without sun,
soil or water in a fully-con-
trolled indoor environment,
optimizing the harvest cy-
cles, and having predictable
result, superior food safety
and less environment im-
pact.
• Aeroponics: The roots are
misted with nutrients, oxygen
and water in a closed loop
system using 95% less water
than field farming and 40%
less than hydroponics.
• Light: They create a specif-
ic light recipe for each plant,
by this they can control the
size, shape, texture, colour,
flavour and nutrition with pre-
cision and productivity.
• Smart nutrition: they con-
stantly monitor all of the
57
macro and micronutrients ,
producing 390 times more
productivity per square foot
than a commercial field farm.
• Smart Data: The system
along with scientist monitor
more than 130000 data points
every harvest, the system is
always improving and uses
analytics to create a superior
and consistent result.
• Smart substrate: Aerofarm
has developed a patented
, reusable cloth medium for
seeding, germinating and
growing. It’s made out of BPA-
free, post-consumer recycled
plastic, using in each one 350
plastic bottles.
• Smart Pest Management:
They use a controlled indoor
environment with growing
methods that interrupt the
normal life cycle of common
indoor pests.
• Smart Scaling: The system is
composed by modules mak-
ing it highly customizable.(11)
58
6. STATE OF ART
59
 6.1 TOWER GARDEN

Image 15. Tower Garden Advanced Class. Source: truegarden.com

60
Tower Garde uses aeroponic
growing system, the same
technology NASA uses, it al-
lows you to grow up to 20 veg-
etables, herbs, fruits and flow-
ers in less than three square
feet—indoors or out, besides
3 times faster than traditional
gardening methods. Because
of its vertical, compact design
and closed -loop technology
its perfecto for small spaces.
(12)
How it works?
1. Instead of soil, Tower Gar-
den plants grow in a medium
called rockwool, which pro-
vides plants roots with oxygen
and consistent moisture.
2. The 20-gallon reservoir
stores the plant nutrient solu-
tion of water and the natural
Mineral Blend, that provides
the nutrients to the plant cre-
ated by Tower Garden.
3.A submersible pump in the
reservoir pushes the nutrient
solution to the to p trough a
small central pipe. The solu-
tion drips down the inside of
the Tower Garden over the
exposed roots.
Graphic 02 Tower Garden functioning illustration. Source: towergar-
4. Plants are ready to harvest den.com
in just a few weeks, Tower
Garden practically takes care
of itself, there are a few main-
tenance tasks that has to be
done such as checking the
water level and cleaning up
the pump filter. (12)
Price: € 461
Graphic 03 Tower Garden functioning illustration. Source: towergar-
den.com
61
 6.2 MOMA EXCLUSIVE: VERITABLE SMART INDOOR GARDEN

Image 16. Smart Indoor Garden. Source:

store.moma.org

62
Moma Veritable Smart Indoor Garden allows to grow effortless- Details:
ly herbs, edible flowers and small vegetables at home, all year
round with great quality and quantity. The planter uses LED • Designer: Chloé Verneuil
technology with a colour spectrum adapted to edible plants en- • Size: 17.7h x 13w x 7.3"d
suring quick growth and the development of its taste. The lights • Materials: ABS plastic, elec-
can be set to automatically adjust the brightness based on the tronics
amount of ambient light. The water reservoir has three-week • Year of Design: 2016
irrigation autonomy, when it’s time to add more water, the Led • Origin: France
light alarm will indicate with a soft pulse. (13)
Price: € 192.30

Image 17. Smart Indoor Garden. Source: store.moma.org Image 18. Smart Indoor Garden. Source: store.moma.org
63
6.3 HERBERT

Image 19. Herbert Indoor Garden. Source: www.kickstarter.com

64
Herbert uses LED technology
and hydroponic system, al-
lowing to grow plants all year
round, also using less space.
It produces 40% faster than
traditional farming, and users
can harvest when they need
it, contributing to reduce food
waste. (14)
Herbert can also be controlled
by app, allowing to adjust the
light settings.
Details:
• Front: beechwood or poplar
wood finish
• Frame: white powder coated
aluminum plate
• Growing Modules: food safe
Polypropylene (PP)
• Space for up to 15 plants
• Total weight (including light,
water and plants): 12 kg/ 26,5
lbs.
• Measurement: 820 x 560
x 115 mm/ 32.3 x 22.0 x 4.5
inches
• Patent pending
• Included Power adapter:
110Volt/230Volt
• LED Light: 28 high quality
LEDs 60 Watt, special devel-
oped light concepts enable
best growth
• Measurement: 200 x 300
x 500 mm/ 2.8 x 11.8 x 19.7
inches
• App: Available for iOS and
Android for free
• Low energy Bluetooth con-
nection (14)
Price: € 499 (planed retail
price)
Image 20. Herbert Indoor Garden. Source: www.kickstarter.com
65
These are some examples of
plants Herbet offers to grow, it
comes with a starter kit that in-
cudes 30 sponges, seeds and
fertilizer. (14) 

Image 21. What can we cultivate with Her-

bert. Source: www.kickstarter.com

66
Image 22. Comparison of time to harvest of pizza ingredients . Source: www.kickstarter.com

Image 23. Comparison of time to harvest of salad . Source: www.kickstarter.com

67
 6.4 THE AEVA: FURNITURE THAT
FEEDS YOU

Image 24. The Aeva at Home. Source: www.justvertical.com

68
The commitment of Just Verti-
cal, the producers of AEVA, is
“Before the 8 billionth person
is born we want to accomplish
three things: Eliminate 8 bil-
lion food miles. save 8 million Image 25. Set up the AEVA and plant your seeds. Source: www.
justvertical.com
liters of water, grow 800 000
lbs of local, sustainable food”.
(15)

Aeva combines the technol-

ogy of growing indoors on
hydroponics with a piece of
furniture. Working with the
University of Toronto they
brought AEVA into a seniors
Image 26. Fill the water reservoir once every two weeks. Source: www.
home in Toronto to measure justvertical.com
the benefits that indoor gar-
dening has, results show that
it increases the overall well-
being of people at all ages.
(15)
Price: € 877.21

Image 27. Harvest what you’re ready to use. Source: www.justvertical.

com 69
7. THE DESIGN
70
7.1 INICIAL CONCEPT

Interior cultivating module ten-

tatively using aeroponic sys-
tem, the modules can easily
adapt to the space because
it will be available in different
sizes and shapes depend-
ing on the vegetable or fruit
that are going to be planted
and the space where it will be
placed.

Graphic 04. First idea for the design of the

modules Source: own

71
7.2 STRATEGY
In order to make the product growth of the plants and the
more appealing and easy to system, this application will
use, the aesthetics will be as also allow to generate a com-
important as the function, to munity of people who grow
accomplish this the garden- their food at home, creating a
ing system will be part of the space where they can share
furnishing, more specifically their knowledge or clear their
of a shelving furniture, takingdoubts with the help of others
advantage of the possibility users, with cultivation advices,
to allocate a space to keep recipes, etc. In addition, a mo-
gardening tools, gardening bile app will be created to con-
books. etc. trol the growth of the plants
and the system, this applica-
By doing this al family mem- tion will also allow to generate
bers can get involve in the a community of people who
process of cultivating their grow their food at home, cre-
own food, developing a closer ating a space where they can
relationship with nature. share their knowledge or clear
their doubts with the help of
  In addition, a mobile app others users, with cultivation
will be created to control the advices, recipes, etc.

72
Graphic 05. Design strategy. Source: own

73
 7.3 DESIGN PROCESS

Graphic 06. Digital sketch of the design.

Source: own

74
This proposal consist on a
shelve that can be asembled
acoording to the need, as an
example, two metal structures
and a gardening module were
assembled

Graphic 07. Digital sketch of the

design. Source: own

75
 1

1. Growing Module
2. Metal Structure
3. Drawer for gardening Tools 2
4. Shelf
5
5. Multi-purpose drawer

Graphic 08. Digital sketch of the modules for

the design. Source: own

76
Growing modules for 2 “ and
6” pots.

Enouhg space for 16 small

pots (2”) or 4 big pots (6”), ar-
renged according to the need.

60 Watts led lights

Space for water reserve.

Water pump

3/4 PVC tube

PVC connectors

Sprinkler heads

Timer with automatic system

to activate the mist nozzle ev-
ery 30 min, controlled by the
app.

Graphic 09. Digital sketch of the system adapted to

the design. Source: own

77
7.4 FINALPRODUCT

The final product consists of a

crop module, which includes
2 strips of led lights with dif-
ferent height, caps for pots of
5.5 cm and 12.5 cm, space
for water reserve, structure
adaptable to different heights
to place wooden shelves.

This module can be screwed

to other modules and create a
larger piece of furniture

Image 28. Perspective final design .

Source: own

78
 7.5 FRONTAL VIEW

Image 29. Frontal view of final design .

Source: own

Graphic 10. Frontal view draw of the design. Source:

own

79
 7.6 LATERAL VIEW

Image 30. Frontal view of final design .

Source: own

Graphic 11. Lateral view draw of the design.

Source: own

80
7.7 SECTION

Graphic 12. Lateral view draw of the design.

Source: own

81
7.8 EXPLOITED AXONOMETRY

Graphic 13. Exploted Axonometry of the design.

Source: own

82
7.9 PIECES

Graphic 14. Pieces of the design. Source: own

83
 7.10 RENDERS

Image 31.Final design placed in a kitchen . Source: own

84
Image 32.Final design placed in a kitchen with user . Source: own
85
Image 33.Final design placed in a kitchen with user . Source: own
86
7.11 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND MATERIALS
Size:
•Gardening Module: 57.5cm x 45cm
•With Furniture: 57.5 cm x 117cm

Gardening Module Materials:

• Polypropylene: Enclosed space to contain the system and
roots exposed
• Interchangeable cover for 2” or 6” pots.
• Led lights
• Water bomb 300 gal/h
• Stainless Steel pipe
• Sprinkle heads
• Timer

Furniture Materials:
•Metal structure
•Wood: drawers and shelfs
•Screws

Accessories:
• 2” net pots, 6”net pots
• Nutritive solution

87
 7.12 BUDGET

Furniture Structure
CANT DESCRIPTION COST TOTAL
6 Metal structure € 3.10 € 18.60
12 Screws € 0.50 € 6.00
3 Shelf 58 cm x 37cm € 15.00 € 45.00
TOTAL: € 69.60

Gardening Module
CANT DESCRIPTION COST TOTAL
1 3/ 4 stainless steel tube € 2.30 € 2.30
1 stainless steel T € 2.10 € 2.10
2 stainless steel Elbow € 1.80 € 3.60
1 Water bomb 300 gal/h € 10.00 € 10.00
3 Sprinkle heads € 10.00 € 30.00
1 Timer € 10.00 € 10.00
2 Led lights € 8.00 € 16.00
1 Polypropylene box € 20.00 € 20.00
1 Total manufacture € 50.00 € 50.00
TOTAL: € 144.00
Table 02 . Aeroponic cultivating module and
furniture Budget. Source : own TOTAL: € 213.60 Aprox.

88
 My plants
7.13 MOBILE APP FEATURES
My gardening
skills
My Profile

Gardening tips
The mobile application will al- created allowing them to ex-
low to generate a community change their products, opti- Gardening for
beginers
of users of the product, the mizing its benefits , and shar- Gardening
people who grow their food at ing this with others,
home, creating a space where
they can share their knowl- The aeroponic system will Plants
edge or clear their doubts with be also controlled by the app
information

the help of others users, it will helping he users with techni- Chat with
include cultivation advices, cal or precision details, for experts

recipes, etc. example the water level, tem-

perature, oxygen level, notify Salads

Through the application a when the pump filter is dirty, Juices

community of users will be etc.
Recipies

Timer
Water Control

Light Control
Graphic 15. Mobile app features. Source:
own System
Control

89
Graphic 16. Mobile app scketch.
Source: own

90
 7.14 VIABILITY
VALUE COSTUMER COSTUMER
KEY PARTNERS KEY ACTIVITIES PROPOSITION RELATIONSHIP SEGMENTS
Assembly factories. Create a community of Our cultivating module Educational meaning. People who live in
users. and forniture helps urban areas or in the
Retailers. people who wants to Healthier diet. surroundings who want
. Offer information and assure they are consu- to grow their own food,
Advertisers. help about gardening to ming fresh quality food, Reduce ecological for reasons of sustaina-
the users. with a product easy to footprint. bility or to ensure the
Web Developers. install, by cultivating quality of their food.
Create a more ecological their own food at home. Improves home envi-
Gardening Experts. culture. ronment.

KEY
RESOURCES CHANNELS
Network and feedbacks.
Social Media.
Distribution Channels.
Web Page.
Customer Service and
Support. Shops.

COST REVENUE Distributors.

STRUCTURE STREAMS
Publicity campaign in social media CEO -SEM: €1000/m Product sales by retailers or by webpage.

Web page and app developers: € 13750 Sales in the application.

Product materials and manufacture: € 213.60

Distribution and retailers: € 100000

91
CONCLUSIONS
 • By growing our own vegetables and fruits at home we avoid wasting food, by producing and
consuming what we need. This also helps to save resources and energy that is used to trans-
port food from distant places to the city, and contributes to lower the consumption of plastic used
in packaging at supermarkets.

•Unconventional methods for farming without soil, such as hydroponics, aquaponics and aero-
ponics, have a lot of advantages over traditional methods, they are more efficient, spending less
resources and grow more plants in less time, all year round.

• A good diet is important for our overall well-being, choosing correctly what we eat can make
a big difference in our health, nowadays there is a lot of cheap and fast options when it comes
to food, problems with nutrition affects the most to vulnerable ones, for that reason there is a
need to change some aspects in our food system, allowing the access to good quality food to
everyone.

• If we change our habits and do something like cultivating our own food, we can be part of the
solution, to the problems our planet is facing nowadays with climate change and food security.

• By the design of the indoor gardening farming and furniture, growing food at home becomes
easier, simples and educational.

92
BIBLIOGRAPHY

• FAO. Nutrition today FAO’s work in nutrition.

• FAO. Basic Concepts of Food Insecurity.Pdf.
• Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too.
• FAO’s role in Urban Agriculture
• UN FAO. Food for the Citie
• Soilless Agriculture a New and Advanced Method for Agriculture Development
• BOEN, Brooke. NASA - Progressive Plant Growing is a Blooming Busines
•VERTICALFARM. key benefits, key disadvantages of aeroponics
• BILL HICKS. Teaching farming in the Bronx -
•Green dreams in The Growroom - IKEA Today.
• AeroFarms - Our Technology - AeroFarms
• Tower Garden: Grow Food with a Vertical, Aeroponic System.
•Veritable® Smart Indoor Garden | MoMA Design Store.
• Herbert – Grow fresh organic food at home
• JUST VERTICAL. The Aeva: Furniture that feeds you.

93
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1. FAO. Nutrition today FAO’s work in nutrition. [online]. 2014. Available from: http://www.fao.
org/3/a-i4142e.pdf

2. FAO. Basic Concepts of Food Insecurity.Pdf. EC - FAO Food Security Programme. 2008. P.
1–3. DOI 10.1007/s11524-010-9491-z.

3. Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too [online]. 2016. [Accessed 20 June 2019].
Available from: http://www.fao.org/3/a-I5758E.pdf

4. FAO’s role in Urban Agriculture | FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Na-
tions. [online]. [Accessed 20 June 2019]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/urban-agriculture/
en/

5. UN FAO. Food for the Cities [online]. 2016. [Accessed 20 June 2019]. Available from: http://
www.fao.org/tempref/docrep/fao/012/ak824e/ak824e00.pdfIn 2008, the world’s urban popula-
tion outnumbered its rural population for the first time in history. By 2030, 60 percent of the
world’s population is expected to live in cities. This urbanization process goes together closely
with growing urban poverty and food insecurity. Currently, approximately one-third of the world’s
population is living in slums and informal settlements. If prevailing trends continue, this figure
could reach 2 billion by 2030.

6. EI-KAZZAZ, AA. Soilless Agriculture a New and Advanced Method for Agriculture Develop-

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ment: an Introduction. Agricultural Research & Technology:Open Access Journal [online]. 4 Jan-
uary 2017. Vol. 3, no. 2. [Accessed 21 June 2019]. DOI 10.19080/ARTOAJ.2017.03.555610.
Available from: https://juniperpublishers.com/artoaj/ARTOAJ.MS.ID.555610.php

7. BOEN, Brooke. NASA - Progressive Plant Growing is a Blooming Business. [online]. [Ac-
cessed 21 June 2019]. Available from: https://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/aero-
ponic_plants.htmlFeature: Growing Plants in Mid-Air

8. VERTICALFARM. key benefits, key disadvantages of aeroponics | Aeroponic and hydroponic

systems, urban farms and vertical. [online]. 2014. [Accessed 24 June 2019]. Available from:
http://verticalfarm.altervista.org/key-benefits-key-disadvantages-aeroponics/

9. BILL HICKS. Teaching farming in the Bronx - BBC News. [online]. 2015. [Accessed 22 June
2019]. Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34538641

10. Green dreams in The Growroom - IKEA Today. [online]. 2017. [Accessed 22 June 2019].
Available from: https://ikea.today/green-dreams-growroom/

11. AeroFarms - Our Technology - AeroFarms. [online]. [Accessed 23 June 2019]. Available
from: https://aerofarms.com/technology/

12. Tower Garden: Grow Food with a Vertical, Aeroponic System. [online]. [Accessed 22 June
2019]. Available from: https://www.towergarden.com/tg

95
13. Veritable® Smart Indoor Garden | MoMA Design Store. [online]. [Accessed 22 June
2019]. Available from: https://store.moma.org/outdoor-garden/veritable®-smart-indoor-
garden/138986.html

14. Herbert – Grow fresh organic food at home by Ponix Systems — Kickstarter. [online].
[Accessed 22 June 2019]. Available from: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1706256286/
herbert-grow-fresh-organic-food-at-home

15. JUST VERTICAL. The Aeva: Furniture that feeds you. [online]. [Accessed 24 June 2019].
Available from: https://www.justvertical.com/

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APPENDIX

97
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101