Grow 23 Bridging the Gap Between Architecture and Agriculture Mark Luzi | Fall 2017 | ARCH 492-03 | Studio Stannard
To my family, who have supported me throughout my education, allowing me to explore the world of design and make a difference in the world. Copyright Š 2017 Mark L. Luzi All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owner. All images in this book have been reproduced in accordance with licensing procedures. Errors or omissions will be correct in future editions. Published by Mark L. Luzi Distributed by Lulu Press, Inc. Printed in the United States of America First Edition
Table of Contents Introduction Food Deserts
7 10
Project Issues Abstract Piece Thesis Statement
12 14 17
Precedent Research
19
Vellum Project
33
Site Research
39
Context Demographics
40 45
Climate Analysis Flora + Fauna
46 52
Site History
54
Site Photos Site Adjacencies
56 60
Design Issues
63
Code Analysis Energy + Water Site Resources Vertical Farming Growing in Arizona Program
Design Iterations
64 66 68 70 72 74 77
My interest in food deserts located in Arizona stems from a combination of life experiences. Growing up in the Phoenix area, prior to my education as an architect and designer, much of my knowledge of the city was surface level. Since I left and gone on to study in other parts of the world, it came to my realization that Phoenix is in need of an urban transformation. With little to offer besides businesses and the occasional sports venue, downtown lacks the appeal needed to draw in full time residents. Coupled with a interest in the food system, learning of Phoenix’s food desert issue was the push I needed to pursue a design that could not only act as an example for what architecture and nature could be, but also provide a solution for a place I hold close to my heart. Through this thesis design, I will be exploring a topic, which hopefully in the near future will lead to new opportunities. Making a difference through design has been my goal, and what follows is my first step in achieving that goal. - Mark Luzi
A Shift in Production Throughout history, agricultural practices have provided humans with the resources to establish and sustain communities, setting the stage for today’s urban development. As of recent, the focus on local food growth, production, and distribution has shifted towards a commercially centralized system in which consumers and a number of widespread producers are isolated from each other. As we stray further from a historically agrarian society, choosing to focus our efforts on further industrialization, the connection between man and his food sources has become blurred. This disconnect has created a situation in which the overall well-being of an individual can be measured by quality and availability of fresh food products. Currently, 23.5 million Americans lack access to fresh food, residing within a “food desert”: a geographic area in which the inhabitants have little to no access to fresh, healthy, and affordable foods due to lowincome, transportation, and overall proximity to food resources. With a lack of infrastructure available to support those in need, many cities have slowly become a place of restriction -- a far cry from a place of opportunity.
8
From Desert to Desert Phoenix, Arizona, (pop. 1.6 mil) one of the nation’s largest and most rapidly growing urban metropolises, has added a new breed of desert to its repertoire, as 32 percent (15,000) of its inhabitants live within a food desert. Faced with the nation’s highest annual population growth and a downtown scene on the brink of a residential upswing forty years in the making, the city, from a superficial level, appears to be thriving. The reality however, is that this urban setting has left many living an unhealthy lifestyle, something becoming increasingly more prominent in high density areas. A lack of grocery stores, farmers markets and community gardens coupled with an excess of convenience stores and fast food establishments has led lowincome populations in particular to resort to the cheaper and more accessible options, despite the health detriments. The question then becomes, why have we chosen to focus on outward expansion, in this case residential sprawl, when we cannot meet even the most essential food needs of those located in these urban centers?
9
Food Deserts
N
A look into the national problem Gone are the days in which local farms could sustain a whole town using agricultural practices. Reliance on food retailers has left millions of Americans without access to fresh meal options. While the shift away from local food sources is enough of a problem as it is, the ability to transport food has never been in question, as it can virtually be transported anywhere in the country. So much so that between 2011 and 2015, America’s top 75 food retailers opened more than 10,000 new locations. This might seem like a step in the right direction, as providing food desert communities with resources is providing individuals with a solution. However, when stores which rarely provide fresh meal options such as convenience and dollar stores are taken out of the mix, studies show only 250 supermarkets were added to food desert areas, leaving 23.5 million people still without access. Even worse, this lack of infrastructure is not likely to get better in these areas, as these communities are generally lowincome, providing little incentive for big businesses to invest.
U.S
Arizona 10
Phoenix, Arizona 11
Social Issues Stemming from a lack of nutrient rich products, the main consequences of living within the confines of a food desert are primarily health related. While a majority of these health concerns can be attributed to the breakdown of available resources in the area, the habits formed by an overall uneducated and misinformed community have given rise to increased levels of obesity and diabetes. Choosing to indulge in the fast-food and convenience industries, in an attempt to fill the holes in their diet, has created a situation in which communities with the highest percentage of households living in food deserts (10 percent or more) had rates of adult obesity that were a full nine percentage points higher than counties in the US with the lowest percentage of households in food deserts. Unforunately, when presented with healthier options, many continue to follow their usual habits, falling prey to inadequate communication and education about nutrition issues.
Phoenix Poverty Rate 0-200% Below
23 Poverty Line
35 150 %
42 200 %
12
Political Issues
Phoenix vs National Obesity % Rates
36.5
3100 people
22.8 1 square mile
Economic Issues The motivation behind the decisions made by those affected by food deserts ultimately boils down to their economic situation. With a current poverty rate of 23 percent, those living in the Phoenix area are subjected to a constant struggle between eating what is right, and eating what is cheap and accessible. Generally speaking, the price difference between convenience stores and grocery stores is negligible, concerning readily available processed foods. However, when it comes to fresh and nutritious food, the prices at convenience stores can be as much as 40 percent higher than a local grocer. Without limitations, shopping for produce at a supermarket would make the most economic sense. However, lack of access to these stores coupled with the higher prices at convenience stores, these low income populations consistently choose processed foods just to get by. Furthermore, these communities have been, on average, becoming less wealthy over time, solidifying this nutrition trend.
A significant factor behind lack of access within food deserts is in most cases traceable back to the politics of the city. With little to no say over the location of industries within the city, the average person is left at the mercy of those in power. Very rarely do grocery projects break ground in these food desert areas, as lowincome areas have little to offer in terms of profit, falling victim to red-lining. At the root of this issue is the politics of how the city was planned. One of the key factors making a place prone to these deserts is a low level of population density. Phoenix, the city known for its urban sprawl, has fallen within this grey area, turning its attention to those zones outside the city looking to simply add people, following their mid 20th century motto of “growth pays for itself�, while the city center suffers from a lack of planning and overall infrastructure. The resaon being it is more beneficial to plan a city around its actual users rather than its suggested ones.
Ecological Issues Regardless of the city, food growth, production, and distribution has a large impact on the environment. With big producers in control, locally run operations have become a thing of the past. Sustainable agricultural practices have been swapped for efficient factory models, compromising both the food quality and ecological footprint. Farmer’s markets, places to sell locally grown produce to a local population, have dwindled, giving way to semi-trucks and mass distributors. On average, food travels 1,500 miles from farm to plate, a large distance for something that could be grown within ones immediate area. In the case of Phoenix, much of what exists as the urban fabric of the city was once an extensive agricultural operation. However, as farmland has become land for commercial buildings, the energy required to not only grow but also transport these products has significantly increased, leaving the environment as the effected party. Urbanization has turned the food cycle on its head.
Food Production Energy Consumption %
20
Farm
80
Processing + Transportation
13
Imbalanced
Diet
This piece seeks to bring to attention the disconnect between people and their food sources, demonstrating visually the concept of a food desert. Through a physical separation, the initial position of the scale highlights the distance between the city and the food it consumes. By placing seeds within the confines of the empty city, representing the addition of locally grown products into an urban environment, the scale begins to level out, gradually connecting the producer to the consumer. Once in a state of equilibrium, the city has successfully utilized its space, allowing for the coexistence of both a selfsufficient practice and the built environment.
Disconnect
Local Growth
Equilibrium
14
15
So, how can architecture help?
16
Phoenix, Arizona, one of the nation’s largest and most rapidly growing urban metropolises, has added a new breed of desert to its repertoire, as 32 percent of its inhabitants live within a food desert, well exceeding the national average of 4.8 percent. Due to a lack of income, transportation, and proximity needed to access fresh and healthy foods, these communities have been forced to lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Through design, we might begin to influence the daily lives of these individuals, providing the basis for healthy habits to grow. Ultimately, Phoenix needs urban agriculture. Targeting the downtown area where access is most limited, the introduction of a local food source will allow individuals to experience first-hand the process behind food production, reconnecting them with their food sources. This is a proposal for a uniquely transparent architecture, one in which nature not only dictates the design, but also is conveyed to each user. In providing spaces that foster community, education, and new perspectives on agriculture, this project may begin to highlight the importance of living as part of the environment rather than above it.
17
Precedent Research
Ways in which Architecture Can Make a Difference
Vertical Harvest (‘15) E/Ye Design | Jackson, Wyoming
Designed to provide residents of the town with fresh local food, and with a mission to only grow food that would otherwise be imported, Vertical Harvest is a prime example of small scale urban agriculture. Producing 100,000 pounds of produce in just a 4,500 sq ft footprint, this project has created a production system which can function through all times of the year. The site also functions as a “living classroom”, educating the community through a direct connection to nature. Choosing to build as an addition to a parking structure, this project also tackles the idea of adaptive reuse, converting otherwise industrial space into a benefit for the city.
Program - Specialty Crop Production - Offices - Viewing Platform - Sending/Receiving Area - Germination Room - Lettuce + Herb Production - Retail Store - Living Wall Atrium - Preparation Area - Growing Room - Tomato Production
20
The Plant (‘17)
SMW Architects | Toronto, Canada
Seen as a project set to bridge the gap between housing and agriculture, this building was designed with the notion that urban areas will begin transitioning towards individual cultivation. With a design focused on ones connection to food, both a mixed-use streetfront and residential block were made to represent the sustainability of urban farming. Incorporating sustainable practices into the building, this project blurs the line between the natural and man-made, allowing both to coexist. Each space, whether it be the terraces, community area, or individual units is designed to capture the maximum of sunlight, allowing each piece of program to double as growing space.
Program - Green Roof - Growing Terraces/Balconies - Cafe - Florist - Boutique Retailer - Spin Studio - Restaurant - Offices - Condo Units - Community Kitchen - Community Garden
21
Farming Kindergarten (‘13) Vo Trong Nghia Architects Dong Nai, Vietnam Countering the issues of rapid urbanization, a manufacturing based economy, and air pollution, Farming Kindergarten seeks to provide children with green lands and playgrounds, nuturing their relationship with nature. Utilizing a continuos curved strip to provide not only enclosure for three courtyard style playgrounds but also a vegetable roof garden, the design fosters the importance of both agriculture and nature. Given the climate conditions, the green strip and green facade serves as insulation and shading device, educating the children on sustainable practices as well. Overall, this project captures the importance of environmental integration.
Highlights - Educational practices - Local materials - Vegetation as passive strategy - Factory wastewater recycling - Maximum green surface usage
22
Wake Space Up (‘17) Farming Studio | Ha Noi, Vietnam
Designed as a reaction to the state of balconies around Hanoi, Wake Space Up! uses a modular grid system to allow users to interact with the external environment. In an effort to deter dust, noise and burglary, vegetation is used as barrier between the unit and the surrounding neighborhood. Through the intergration of plants into the steel grid system, much of the space needed for cultivation is moved vertically in the space, leaving room for an open interior and exterior. Taking this idea of vegetation one step further, introducing aquaponics into the system creates mini ecosystem in the unit, allowing plants and fish to work together, resulting in fresh food.
Highlights - Steel girder-tree system - Aquaponics - Vegetation as a filter - Modularized system for customizaiton
23
Sky Greens (‘12)
Sky Green Farms | Singapore Sky Green Farms, a vertical farming systems leader has innovated the world’s first low carbon, hydraulic driven vertical farm. With such a small floor area, the project maximizes growing space utilizing a system of 9 meter tall rotating shelves. Each unit of shelves is rotated twice daily in an effort to evenly distribute water and sunlight to each plant. Using a hydraulic system to mobilize the structure, only 0.5 liters of water is used per day. The importance of this project comes from the fact that Singapore is currently importing 93% of its vegetables. This system, with produces at least 10 times more per land area unit, aims to provide the community with fresh food.
Highlights - Vertical shelving units - Rotational growing/hydraulics - Vertical farming: soil based - Controlled environment
24
Aero Farms (‘15)
Aero Farms | Newark, New Jersey Plans have been in development for two years for the world’s lardest indoor vertical farm to take root in Newark. Unlike most vertical farming systems, Aero Farms has perfected a system in which crops can be grow without the use of sunlight or even soil. Using aeroponics, a closed system in which exposed roots are misted with nutrient rich water, this project is able to grow nearly two million tons of food product with less than one hundreth of land needed in typical field farms. Not only is space maximized, the highly controlled misting process is able to use roughly 75% less water than even the most advanced hydroponic systems.
Highlights - Aeroponic growing system - Minimal space and water usage - Focus on local job creation - Focus on local food production - Local education program
25
Hyrdoponic Station* mode:lina | Pila, Poland
Located in a city with a large amount of infrastructure already in place, such as parks and schools, eudcating the younger population about how to live an eco-friendly lifestyle is important in maintaining the trend. Plans are currently in development for a retrofit of an old pumping station into a hydroponic hub for the city. Utilizing the already mineral rich water circulating in the water supply, this project seeks to provide fresh food for locals to learn, grow, and sell. Focused on creating a simple system, the hydroponic system grows plants in a nutrient-water mixture, making the process, once learned, easy to replicate at home. Ecology then becomes common knowledge.
Lokal Pop-up (‘17)
SPACE10 Lab | London, England
Introduced to the public during the London Design Festival, this vertical farm installation provided the users with a change to learn about both hydroponics and gastronomy. Although, by comparison, a rather small intervention, the intent of this pop-up was to showcase new technologies as they pertained to vertical farming systems. Using a fully automated system for everything from LED lighting for year-round growing to data points which optimize freshness, this project is a prime example of how technology can influence the way we grow. This technological benefit allows this project in particular to grow vegetables three times faster than traditional methods with 90% less water and waste.
Highlights Highlights - Educational program - Soil-less growing allows for diversity in plants grown - Locally grown and sold products - Replicable system
26
- Showcasing locally sourced food - Education about the benefits of hydroponics and local food - Hydroponic activities for children - Education on reducing food waste - Focus on making local farming more accessible
27
Urban Agriculture A look at the country of Cuba
In a country where over 57% of its caloric intake was imported from the Soviet Union, the immediate halt of products was a wake up call to the country. Left with a food crisis, citizens took matters into their own hands, growing food on virtually any surface: balconies, terraces, backyards, and empty lots. By 1998 there were over 8,000 offically recognized gardens in Havana, producing about 50% of the country’s vegetables. Cuba is a great example of what an urban fabric would look like if we began to place food production/distribution as the primary focus of urban design. Not only does Cuba understand the importance of locally sourced food but the country also realizes the need to develop around these services, creating routes and networks throughout the city in which the process is maintained.
Agro Food Park (‘09)
3XN Architects | Aarhus, Denmark
The very notion of an idea such as urban agriculture links both urban density and agricultural fields. The common solution however, is to simply place a “green building” within the confines of a city. Agro Food Park is food/business park created with the intent of linking the urban and agricultural aspects of society in a greater ecosystem. Home to both companies pioneering agricultural innovations and farm lands, each system can be used to benefit the other. The reuse of excess heat and condensate can be in turn used to provide resources for a greenhouse, which products can in turn be used to power the units on site. Viewing the food system as a cycle, we can begin to design for urban areas as a whole rather than singular buildings.
Program - Test fields - Plantation - Fresh market - Innovation labs - Offices - University - Community kitchens - Bee cultivation
28
29
Optima Camelview (‘08) David Hovey | Scottsdale, Arizona This project was designed to incorporate both the urban and natural desert landscapes into one cohesive architecture. With high demands for high-density housing in an already developed area, integrating nature in each space separates the users from their normal environment, allowing vegetation to dictate design decisions. Providing each unit within the 700 unit mixed-use development with a terraced balcony maximizes growing space within the project. Through a series of bridges and open courtyards, each building is connected, providing instances for human interaction. With a site located in Scottsdale, Arizona, much of the projects design is geared towards providing a stark contrast to typical architecture in the area, proving this ecological way of design can work.
Program - Residential units - Parking structure - Community park - Retail/Office space - Open courtyards
30
Spaces of Opportunity(‘17) DSGN AGNC | Phoenix, Arizona Tasked with providing south Phoenix residents with fresh and local resources, this project proposes an 18-acre site be converted into a food hub for the city, promoting farming, gardening, education, and community. With most of the land dedicated to food production alone, the rest of the site is focused on educating the community through programs which not only train but showcase to the public what and how to use a sustainable food source. Through local food growth, the community will also begin to grow in an economic sense, giving the community access to products they can sell and market to the surrounding area.
Program - Vegetable fields - Community gardens - Prep station - Stage area - Open air market
31
Design Research
An Abstract Approach to Solving the Issue
Home Grown
An Individualized Approach to Food Production
This piece seeks to provide a solution to the lack of access to fresh and healthy food within urban environments, while creating a dialect between the built and natural world. Serving as an in home planter, a prep table, and dining table, the consumer becomes the producer, effectively gaining control of the food production process. From a materials standpoint, concrete and wood are used to create both a physical and metaphorical contrast. Representing the urban environment, the concrete planes are supported by the natural elements, in this case the wooden structure. Advocating for the itegration of agriculture into highly developed metro areas, the vegation is directly supported by the concrete pieces, while the wooden legs and cutting boards puncture the slabs, indicating points of
Grow Prepare Eat 34
35
Process Wood
Reclaimed cypress wood was obtained from Pacific Coast Lumber in San Luis Obispo. Each support piece and cutting board was hand cut to size using the CAED woodshop available at Cal Poly. Once cut, the cutting boards were glued together and laminated. Each piece was then planed and sanded to bring out the natural look of the wood. Danish oil was applied as a finish to both seal the wood and enchance its color.
Concrete
In order to create the formwork for the pour, melanine was cut and screwed together. To provide support, diamond lathe and ladder wire was placed within the center of the pour. Quikrete was mixed and poured into the form and vibrated. Once set, the concrete forms were taken to Wells Concrete Works in Los Osos for grinding. A combination of dry and wet grinders were used to achieve the desired finish.
Assembly
Square holes were cast into the conrete to provide a friction connection point. The structural pieces were doweed together to achieve a seamless frame.
36
37
Site Research
Identifying an Area of Intervention
N
Arizona, USA 40
N
Phoenix, Arizona 41
N
125 E. Washington 42
N
N 33.26 W 112.04 43
Phoenix, Arizona
Race + Ethnicity
A City Defined by Urban Sprawl Currently the sixth largest city by population in the U.S., Phoenix, Arizona contains roughly 1.61 million residents. Home to the fastest growing county in the nation, Maricopa County, which is currently increasing its population by 2% each year, the city is no stranger to development. Although hard to imagine, this metropolis was once a thriving agricultural community, focused on cultivatation rather than construction. Originally settled by the Hohokam Native Americans, the valley of the sun quickly became a thriving center of food cultivation, drawing its resources from a series of irrigation canals. Once resettled by pioneers and frontiersmen, a large economic boom caused by the canal systems and mill industries caused a large influx of inhabitants to move into the region. As the city entered modern day, much of the land use was converted from agirculture to industrial use, while the city itself began to expand outwards. With a focus on the residential and housing industry coupled with the goal to simply add people, an urban center that should have been was lost to the suburbs. Feeling the full effects of this growth model, downtown Phoenix has become a low-income, low density false business center, waiting patiently for its inhabitants to come back. With around 4500 new units in development, change is on the horizon.
44
41.3% 45%
White
6.6% 3.3% 3.8%
Hispanic
Black
Asian
Other
As shown in the graph, the make up of Phoenix is about half white and half hispanic. With such a high minority population, the city has been forced to choose between designing for the better off middle class and the struggling lower class. The average trend has been to develop elsewhere, leaving these communities at a stand still.
Transportation
75%
Single
Carpool
11.9%
Public
Walk
Other
An overwhelming percentage of the population commutes to work using their personal vehicles. This is no surprise as the focus of Phoenix’s development has been expansion, moving residents farther from the city. Coupled with a central lightrail system, vehicle emissions account for 60% of all nitrogen oxides in the air.
60+
The appeal of a city can generally be seen through the age of its population. On the cusp of a downtown revitalization, Phoenix has been increasing residential construction within the area. With a downtown boom, the city may begin to see a younger crowd transition into the city center, looking to work/live in an urban setting.
3.6% 2.6% 3.8%
Age Distribution
14.2% 30.2%
18.9%
22.5% 0-14
17.1% 15-29
30-44
45-59
Income
22.7%
32.7% 22.2%
14.4% 0-15k
8% 15-35k
35-75k
75-150k
150k+
Currently in a transitional stage, Phoenix, on the verge of revitalizing its urban core, has been home to a high percentage of middle-class residents. Although not its primary function, the city has been able to support these low to middle income people through a small ring of poor and rundown developments located around the core.
45
Climate Analysis
Sun Path
A Hot and Arid Environment
The climate in Phoenix, Arizona can be classified as hot and arid or a subtropical/ hot desert zone. With a majority of sunny days, consistently high temperatures, and low relative humidity, this environment falls outside of the comfort zone for most of the year.
Jun
8 pm
5 am Mar Sept
Site Conditions
5 pm
7 am
- Average temperatures have increased of 1.12 degress within the last 50 years
Latitude: N.33
- Shift towards development of the inner city has created a local “urban heat island effect� - 11% of the city is covered by trees, providing little to no shade - Increased emissions brought about by urban sprawl has led to poor air quality - Water shortage by 2050 will impact rural Arizona, particulary agricultural practices
Desert Region 46
Dec
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
12
46
48
53
59
68
79
87
84
78
65
55
46
2
44
45
51
57
66
77
85
82
76
63
53
43
4
42
43
49
55
64
75
83
80
74
61
51
41
6
41
42
47
53
62
73
82
79
73
59
50
40
8
44
45
50
56
65
76
84
81
76
62
52
43
10
54
57
63
69
79
89
94
92
87
75
63
55
12
61
64
71
76
87
96
100
98
94
83
69
62
2
64
67
75
80
91
100
103
101
97
87
72
65
4
62
66
73
78
89
98
101
99
95
95
70
63
6
57
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66
72
82
92
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90
78
65
57
8
51
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91
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60
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10
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50
56
61
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68
57
48
Below
Comfort
Over
With periods of long sun exposure during the summer months, shading is required on both the western and southern facades. Passively, this can be accomplished with permanent overhangs on the south and vertical fins on the west. Other elements that may provide shade are: vegetation, adjacent buildings, and other programatic pieces on the site. During the winter, it is important to allow sunlight onto the site. This can be done through building orientation, approriately sized shading devices, and active moveable systems.
Overheated Period Falling within the comfort zone for only 34% of the year, the building relies on a variety of passive and active strategies to meet the needs of the inhabitants (see page _). In order to cool the building, elements such as: sunshading, natural ventilation, air conditioning, and shaded thermal massing can be used. In order to heat the building, elements such as: sun exposure, stack ventilation, insulation, thermal massing, and heaters can be used. Overall, the design calls for an emphasis on cooling.
47
Annual Sunlight %
Precipitation
Currently ranking third in the nation for solar power, based on the cumulative amount of solar electric capacity installed through 2016, the amount of sunlight in Arizona has potential for more good than harm. Utilizing the large solar access already existing on the site, the introduction of PV arrays will allow the sun’s energy to be converted to energy to be used on site. Care must be taken to design features and programmatic spaces as to not hinder access to sunlight.
One of the main characteristics of a desert climate zone is the amount of annual precipitation. With 8.02 inches per year, Phoenix has little in the way of rainwater. In addition, the annual relative humidity is rather low, coming in at 31.3%, making it difficult to cool the air down during overheated periods. Designing for summer monsoons could prove beneficial in regards to seasonal water collection and overall seasonal passive cooling strategies. With a project emphasizing vegetation, drought resistant plants will utilize water effeciently.
Monthly Temperature Given being sited in a desert climate, the site is subjected to large diurnal swings, requiring both cooling and heating as the day progresses. These large shifts in temperature can be within the design of the project, as night flushing will allow the building to cool down during the night. Utilzing construction materials with high thermal massing will also ensure the building can passively regulate itself, rather than dealing with constant cooling and heating aspects clashing.
8 mph 101
104
100
6 mph 97
4 mph
92 87 79
83
75 65
67
73 63 54 46
42
43
78
2 mph
W
73
74
E
65
58 51
5% 40
10% S
48
Annual Wind
N
10 mph
15%
Although the presence of wind on the site is almost negligible, through the orientation of the building, these gusts could prove useful for passive cooling ventilation strategies. Allowing passage through the building from the northeast will allow cool air to enter, flushing out the warm air and providing comfort to the inhabitants. In order to fully use the little wind that makes it into these spaces, altering the heights of inlets and outlets will allow the air to pass through the entireity of the space. Additionally, cooling towers can vertically distributed cool air.
49
A Design Strategy Approach
Due to the hot dry climate, Phoenix has turned to many active systems to provide comfort, such as air conditioning. With a majority of sunny days, consistently high temperatures, and low relative humidity (31%), this environment falls outside of the comfort zone for most of the year. The main passive strategies that will achieve the best results are: passive solar heating, natural ventilation, and high-mass cooling.
Cooling Strategies
Thermal Comfort
January
July
February
August
March
September
April
October
May
November
June
December
Relative Humidity 80% 70% 60%
Cooling Strategies
Heating Strategies 1| Allow for sunlight during the winter through the use of deciduos trees. 2| Provide stack ventilation through the design of central open cores. 3| Regulate heat gain and loss through the use of a green roof as insulation. 4| Utilzing high thermal mass to store heat throughout the building materials.
50
Heating Strategies
3| Use shaded high thermal mass materials and the earth with high density program.
40%
30%
1| Minimize west glazing through the use of vegetation. 2| Provide cross and stack ventilation through the design of open air floors.
50%
20%
High-Mass Cooling Natural Ventilation
10%
Passive Solar Heating 50
60
70
80
90
100
Temperature (F) 51
Native Flora
NativeFauna Fauna
Six of the common plants found within the Sonoran Desert.
Six of the common animals found within the Sonoran Desert.
By row: Palo Verde Tree Cholla Cactus Ocitillo Cactus Creosote Bush Saguaro Cactus Mesquite Tree
52
By row: Bobcat Diamondback Snake Gila Monster Coyote Scorpion Javelina
53
Block 23 - Site
Future?
A closer look at the site’s history Orignally the town plaza for all of Phoenix, Block 23 was planned to be one of only two open civic spaces within the city in 1885. Soon after the grid was established and Phoenix began to grow, a new City Hall was built in the center of the square, allowing the site to serve as both governmental and recreational use. Once a new City Hall was constructed on the other open space in the city, Block 23 was sold to a private developer with plans to place a theater in the heart of downtown. Completed in 1950, the Fox Theatre became known as one of the most ornate Art-Deco movie theaters in the country. With a successful development on the land, another big company, J.C. Penney’s sought out a building on the site.
Currently in development on the site is plans for downtown Phoenix’s first grocery store: Fry’s Food Store. No doubt in response to the food desert problem, this project proposal also includes retail space, offices, an above ground parking garage and 330 residential units all linked together through the use of an above grade community park. While this development of Block 23 would in fact bring much needed life back into the area, along with bringing residents to the urban core, the main programmatic space of the grocery store will not solve the food insecurity problem.
1885
1950
In 1990, Block 23 was once again controlled by the City of Phoenix, however the once thriving block was falling apart. With the theater long gone, the retail store was demolished, leaving the site as it is today, an above and below grade parking lot. Although it has functioned as event space the site is in need of redevelopment.
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Present
Future?
Simply adding a grocery store to a food desert will do nothing in the way of changing the lifestyle those in the area have grown acustomed to. While it will provide the community with much needed fresh produce, ultimately the cheaper option of processed food will also be made more available, possibly resulting in a further problem. The total development of the site is also questionable as it just adds density to an already dense site.
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The Site
Fauna Site Highlights Key features around the site in which the design proposal will incorporate and further build upon.
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1 | Lightrail Access 2 | Pedestrian Path 3 | Sports Arena 4 | Bike Hub 5 | Covered Mall 6 | Baseball Field
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Site Elevations North + South
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Fauna Site Elevations East + West
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Site Accessibility
1M
Surrounding Resources in the Area
DI US
7 stores within 1 mile
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0 convenience stores (0.5mi)
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Although one of the largest urban metropolises, Phoenix suffers from a lack of housing within its urban core, focusing instead on its expansive suburbs. Much of the housing that does exist in the metro-area forms a ring around the center of the city, leaving residents further away from amenities. Those located closest to the center live within apartment buildings while the outskirts of the city are single-family housing. The new lightrail system does little to link these residential neighborhoods to the urban core as it currently runs through commercial areas.
0 grocery stores (1mi)
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Much of the issues surrounding food deserts is the lack of overall resources, whether it be food, transportation, or even basic amenities. Provided is a map showing contextual highlights around the proposed central downtown site. With a project emphasis on food, understanding the habits of users in the community can begin to influence an intervention. With zero grocery stores within a mile radius of the site, the only real option for food products are the scarce convenience stores which provide little to no produce.
IL E
8 apartment buildings (1mi) 88 residential blocks (1mi)
5 light rail stops (0.5mi) 7 stops within 1 mile
2 public parks (0.5mi) 6 parks within 1 mile
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Design Issues
A Closer Look at Design Limitations and Possibilities
Immediate Zoning
Building Type
Mixed Use (MU)
Group F1 (Factory/Industrial) Group R2 (Residential) Group U Agriculture
Public/Quasi-Public
Construction Type
Code Analysis Fauna
Type 1A/1B (Highrise/Midrise)
Height Restrictions Max Height Downtown Phoenix: 486 feet F1: 1A = UL (stories) UL (area) 1B = 11 (stories) UL (area) R2: 1A = UL (stories) UL (area) 1B = 11 (stories) UL (area) U Ag: 1A = UL (stories) UL (area) 1B = 12 (stories) 60000 (area)
Fire Sprinkled: Yes
Egress (Floor area in s.f per occupant) Agricultural Building: 300 gross Residential Building: 200 gross Minimum number of exits: 2 (based on 1-500 occupant load)
Accessibility Accessible parking spaces: 9 (based on 500 occupants) Accessible dwelling units: 10 (based on 200-300 units)
Travel Distance
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F1 + R2 = 250 feet U = 400 feet
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Energy on Site
Water on Site
Consumption + Production In order to calculate an estimated EUI for the site, rough square footage numbers were used based off both current plans for the site and Grow 23 project proposals. With a calculated energy consumption, analyzing how much energy can be produced on site allows the project to begin to function more efficiently. With a high amount of solar access throughout the year (see diagrams), PV/solar panels are the best option for renewable energy.
8� of rainfall (1 year) Jan 7am
Jan 1pm
Jan 5pm
100,000 S.F site coverage Assumed 75% of site
500,000 gal rainwater
Calculated with full roof coverage Site EUI (kBtu/ft2) - Design Target: 30.4 - Median Property: 101.2
Mar 7am
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Energy Consumption Details
Calculated with 500 occupancy
- Multifamily Housing (57.5%) - Office (21.1%) - Manufacturing/Industrial (14.1%) - Supermarket/Grocery (7.0%)
With a project focused on intensive food production, water usage is a main concern, as typical operations use water at alarming rates. In Arizona as a whole, roughly 69% of the available water supply goes towards agricultural practices. Much of this water however, comes from out-of-state, as access to water in the Phoenix area can only be sustained through an extensive series of canals. With only approximately 8 inches of rainfall a year, Phoenix has little to no options in way of water collection, focusing efforts on waterreuse instead. Today, more than 250 million gallons of wastewater are treated each day, with more than 90% of this water going towards crops. Through the use of rooftop gardens, permeable ground materials, and a collection system, water can efficiently be recycled throughout the project for both agricultural and every day uses.
2,160,00 gal graywater (1year)
PV Calculator
Calculated with 60% usage rate
- Assumed 100,000 sf of PV coverage based on 75% of site. - Output: 2,400,000 kWh/Year
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3,600,000 gal used (1 year)
Resources + Catchment
Jun 7am
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Site Resources
Mapping Resource Paths + Flows Power/Energy - Fossil Fuels: The majorty of Arizona’s energy consumption is in the form of petroleum and coal, accounting for 55.4% of total usage. Although still relying on imports, Arizona produces 7.5 mil tons of coal, 39.1% of all energy generation. - Nuclear: Roughly 28% of Arizona’s total energy generation is from Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the largest nuclear power plant in the nation. - Solar: With some of the highest solar power potential in the country, projects have been in development working on bringing the state towards a more renewable energy resource. Agua Caliente, currently the seventh largest PV power station in the world, has been providing homes with clean energy for 3 years, accounting for 5% of the state’s energy generation.
Water
Water Source
Wind Farm
Coal Plant
Nuclear Plant
Biomass Plant
Oil Line
Solar Farm
Canal
Black Mesa Lake Mead
Palo Verde Agua Caliente
Salt River Project (SRP) | Salt + Verde Rivers (19%) Central Arizona Project (CAP) Colorado River (39%) Ground water pumped from city wells (40%) Reclaimed water (2%)
Waste - Various landfills around the city - 14% landfill diversion in Phoenix as compared to 35% nation average
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Vertical Farming Systems Soil-Free Systems for Growing Plants
Hydroponics Perhaps the most commonly used of the hydroculture methods, hydroponics is the growing of plants within a nutrient-rich waterbased solution. Typically using 80% less water than typical operations, water savings are traded for energy consumption, as the solution must be aerated and pumped every six hours. This system is by far the most chemical intensive of the systems, relying on mixtures to simulate nature.
Aeroponics Originally designed by NASA in an attempt to grow in space, aeroponics is a method used to grow plants without any form of substrate or medium. Plants are held suspended within a closed environment with roots exposed, gaining nutrients from a system of misters. Without the need for a water solution, aeroponics uses 90% less water than even the most advanced hydroponic systems.
Aquaponics Similar to a hydroponic system, aquaponics is the method of growing plants within a water solution as opposed to soil. The main difference is how the solution is handled. Drawing from the natural ecosystem, fish are used to create a food source for the plants. In turn the plants purify the water for the fish, acting as one unit.
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Growing in Arizona? A Look into what is Possible
Despite the triple digit weather and little to no rain throughout the year, Arizona has a rather thriving agricultural operation. Historically, the city was founded as an agricultural center within the valley thanks to its siting next to the Salt River. Through a series of canals, even today, agriculture forms the state’s second largest source of revenue. Using the warm and dry climate to their advantage, local farmers can grow year round while maintaining regularity when it comes to water. The important factor is keeping track of the two seasons: the cool-season and warm-season. Generally, plants with edible leaves, stems and roots are cool-season crops. So much so that Yuma, Arizona is responsible for roughly 95% of the nation’s head lettuce. Generally, plants with edible fruits are warm-season crops. One of Arizona’s Five C’s is citrus, boasting large orchard operations. Besides edible crops, a big part of Arizona’s main exports are both cotton and cattle.
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Agritopia
Desert Cool-Season Crops - Beets - Broccoli - Cabbage - Carrots - Lettuce
- Onion - Peas - Potato - Radish - Spinach
- Arugula - Asparagus - Leeks - Strawberries - Oranges
Desert Warm-Season Crops - Beans - Cucumber - Eggplant - Melon - Pepper
- Pumpkin - Squash - Corn - Bok Choy - Tomato
- Apples - Apricots - Sweet Potato - Blueberries - Zucchini
Best Crops for Vertical Farming (Fast Turn) - Lettuce - Arugula - Basil
- Oregano - Chard - Cilantro
- Kale - Spinach - Strawberry
Best Crops for Rooftop Gardens - Tomato - Pepper - Basil
- Lettuce - Kale - Squash
- Apple - Beans - Strawberry
Best Crops for Greenhouses - Lettuce - Tomato - Cucumber
- Basil - Mint - Spinach
An Agricultural Precedent
- Kale - Pepper - Chives
Gilbert, Arizona
A 15-acre organic farm located within a suburb of Phoenix, Gilbert, Agritopia is “something of a modern day village set within the urban fabric of the Phoenix metro area... about preserving urban agriculture and integrating it into the most neighborly, well-designed community possible.” With a focus on creating an agricultural center in a climatically challenging area, the success of the project is dependent on smart growing tactics. Coupled with growing the right plants at the right time, xeriscaping can minimize water usage. Utilizing mulches and drip irrigation, the soil remains moist longer, as evaporation is reduced. In a dry climate, this saves countless waterings. Also given the dryness of the climate, the moisture content of the air is held constant, allowing drip irrigation to regulate exact water amounts. Besides water regulation, about half of the water used on site is graywater, recycling the water from other utlities on site. Not only does this cut back on overall usage, but it can also bring other nutrients into the soil.
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SUSTAIN
CULTIVATE
produce replenish
PROVIDE
Viewing Platforms
Program
Food Production
Live
accommodate organize
coexist
U N I Fa cYc e s s
Food Production
Housing
EDUCATE advocate
DISTRIBUTE serve
build
Farmers Market
Food Production Offices
Community Kitchens
Housing Community Gardens Community Rooms Food Production Exercise Room Community Kitchens
Connect Classrooms Training Facilities Offices Food Production Showroom Community Gardens Community Kitchens Composting Center Farmers Market
Utility Composting Center
Training Facilities
Classrooms
Showroom
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Exercise Room
empower
train
Community Gardens
CONNECT
communicate
Community Gardens Community Rooms
INTERACT
Grow
Food Production Viewing Areas/Platform Growing Terraces Research Labs
Community Kitchens
seed
Growing Terraces
nurture
Research Labs
This abstract piece seeks to capture the emotive sense associated with the individual programmatic spaces within the project. Broken into three larger actions, grow, live, and connect, each space is meant to provide each user and onlooker with a takeaway, whether it be tangible or intangible. Fostering an overall educated community focused on sustainability, architecture can provide the spaces required for such cultivation.
GROW
Defining User Interactions
LIVE
Program
Restrooms Circulation Parking Water Catchment Power/PV
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Design Iterations
Predesign Options Towards a Final Solution
Scheme 1
Scheme 2
Density: High
Density: Medium
The focus of this design proposal was to create a complex on the site, allowing the space in between elements to act as both a community connector and physical connector to the surrounding area. Taking advantage of two public walkways on the east and west blocks, the horizontal cut through the site allows for pedestrians to easily access the center. The large open space could also be used as a farmer’s market during the night. The diagonal cut was made to draw in the public from the light rail stop located one block away. Although still in the early development stage, the placement of each programmatic element is meant to increase the variety of actions that may take place on the site. With a complex focused design, each user can essentially interact with the space as they see fit, allowing their needs to control their movements. More so than the other designs, this high density scheme highlights a social and community driven solution.
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The focus of this design proposal was to create a more segmented approach to the programmatic elements, in turn leaving a quarter of the site left untouched. The decision to leave the northeast corner of the site open for possible public functions or a farmer’s market was made due to the pedestrian traffic coming from the lightrail stop. This open space would also be shaded throughout the day as the development of the southern facade would block the ample amount of sun the site has to offer. 10
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1 | Fresh Market 2 | Parking 3 | Food Production 4 | Research Lab 5 | Compost Center
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6 | Showroom 7 | Training Facility 8 | Community Kitchen 9 | Classrooms 10 | Housing
11 | Exercise Room 12 | Community Room 13 | Prep Station 14 | Community Garden 15 | Offices
1 | Fresh Market 2 | Research Lab 3 | Compost Center 4 | Training Facility
5 | Community Kitchen 6 | Housing 7 | Classrooms 8 | Showroom
9 | Community Room 10 | Offices 11 | Community Garden 12 | Food Production
By breaking up the site into essentially quadrants, each programmatic piece placed seems to be disconnected from the rest. Each quadrant is broken up based on its function, providing community spaces on the bottom floors with more private functions such as housing and food production located within dense towers. The design of a series of buildings in a way mimics the development of downtown and provides a solution that somewhat contrasts the density of its surroundings.
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Scheme 3
Design Conclusions
Density: Low
Early development takeaways
The focus of this design proposal was to create a low density singular building on the site, allowing the open space to either be used for future development or public use, such as a farmers market. The typical approach to vertical farming projects, based on precedents, is to usually build one central skyscraper meant to house each function seamlessly. In doing so, much of the program becomes integrated within each other, creating a spacially unique experience. With a singular building on the site, the need to build vertically becomes clear, as a multitude of floors is neccessary to house each function and maximize efficiency. This approach however, creates a situation in which the public is excluded from the project based purely on the design. Save for the copius amounts of open space on the block, the building becomes quite private, as limiting access creates a disconnect between the user and the site.
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In doing a quick design charette, I found that attempting to pinpoint a design without the specifics of food production was near impossible. With a closer look into what each plant type will need in terms of sunlight exposure and weather conditions, the design will begin to be influence by the crops.
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1 | Fresh Market 2 | Showroom
3 | Training Facility 4 | Classrooms 5 | Community Garden
6 | Food Production 7 | Housing
As for the density study, I found that both the high and low density proposals have their merits. The benefit of a high density project on this site comes from the ability to foster a sense of community using the interstitial space to form a new “city center�. As one begins to shape the program around a central hub however, the connection between programmatic spaces is lost, creating a system in which food production and the users are once again separated. Looking at the low density proposal, much of the problems with disconnect are solved, as one unit is housing each function, forcing each space to accomodate the next. However, with such a large project, the human scale is lost, foiling any attempts are creating a lifestyle change within the community.
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Selected Sources - Arizona State Demographic Viewer (geo.azmag.gov). - Arizona State Profile and Energy Estimates (eia.gov). - Chinni, Dante. “The Socio-Economic Significance of Food Deserts” PBS News Hour, 29 Jun. 2011. - City of Phoenix Water and Waste Services (phoenix.gov). - Cuenza, Jackielyn “Vertical Farming For Compact Spaces | Types of Farming” Homesteading, 17, Jul. 2016. - “Grocery chains leave food deserts barren, AP analysis finds” Chicago Tribune, 7 Dec. 2015. - Talton, Jon. “Is Downtown Phoenix Ready to Thrive Again?” CityLab, 3 Jan. 2017. - United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (Food Desert Atlas). - USDA Urban Agriculture Index (nal.usda.gov). - Yardley, William. “A building boom and climate create an even hotter, drier Phoenix” LATimes, 27 Mar. 2017.
Image Credits All images were created by Mark Luzi except: zoomearth (43, 54, 56, 64), USDA (10, 11), E/ Ye Design (20), SMW Architects (21), Vo Trong Nghia Architects (22), Farming Studio (23), Sky Green Farms (24), Aero Farms (25), mode:lina (26), SPACE10 Labs (27), Vanessa Quirk/ Archdaily (28), 3XN Architects (29), David Hovey and Associates (30), DSGN AGNC (31), Zack Canepari (8-9), phoenix.gov (44), Owen Kelly (52-53), McCulloch Brothers Inc. Photographs (54), Omniplan Architects (55), homesteading.com (70-71), Agritopia (73). Other images generated using any combination of, Rhino, VRay, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, and Snazzymaps.