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Community Greenhouse

January 2013 - May 2013 

Three Team Members

In Detroit, the shift toward urban agriculture has grown over the past few years due to a lack of access of fresh produce and food security has become a serious issue in the neighborhood. We designed and delivered a ready-to-assemble greenhouse kit with flexible ventilation systems for the greater Focus:HOPE Village area to both enable access to and encourage consumption of healthy food. One greenhouse was constructed in the neighborhood.

 

Inspiration

Visited various sites in Focus:HOPE Village area to gain insights into the community.

Developed empathy for the Detroit community through interviews, participant observations, and field research. 

Assessed the state of food security in the community through field research and desk research.

 A message from us

  by Extra Mile

Volunteered at a neighborhood cleanup with community members
 Visited an abandon hoop house with broken structures

  • The hoop house strucutures was damaged from the extreme weathers in Detroit including snow storms and tornadoes.

  • The large daytime and nighttime temperature difference during summer in Detroit and the lack of ventilation systems resulted in the overheating of plants in this hoop house. 

Ideation

Brainstormed design concepts to address the identified problems and desires.

Utilized rapid prototyping to convey design ideas and invite feedback.

Created sketches of design concepts to communicate ideas, obtain feedback, and refine design.

Developed detailed 3D model of the greenhouse design with flexible ventilation systems.

Rapid prototype of the greenhouse

Made from a cardboard box, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, cellophane wrap, plastic straws, and masking tape 

Sketches of the greenhouse design annotated with feedback
Detailed 3D model of the greenhouse design annotated with features

Implementation

Purchased materials for the ready-to-assemble green house kit from online and local stores.

Manufactured a set of ready-to-assemble greenhouse kit with purchased materials and resources available on campus.

Documented the design process and presented to Focus:HOPE and community representatives.

Created and delivered detailed manufacturing plans and assembly manuals of the greenhouse kit to Focus:HOPE.

Delivered one set of ready-to-assemble greenhouse kit to Focus:HOPE for implementation in the neighborhood.

Polyethylene and zippers purchased
Manufacturing of greenhouse insulating sheathing with flexible ventilation system
Greenhouse during the summer
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