At Ceres we specialize in passive solar greenhouse design for many different types of growers. While most of our clients are looking for a full turnkey greenhouse solution, some are seeking consulting services on custom greenhouse design. As a solutions company, we help these types of clients with our design knowledge and vendor relationships in order to collaborate towards a final product that, while different from our standard designs, will allow for sustainable, year-round abundant growth.
After years of consulting on various custom greenhouse designs, we’ve developed a structured scope of work to offer growers who already have an existing architect or structural engineer, or even architectural firms integrating greenhouses. This offering is called the Ceres Design and Development Package, and it’s a service that incorporates our energy-efficient, passive solar design principles into your custom greenhouse project to ensure a healthy growing environment for your plants.
Who is this package for?
Our Design Development service caters to a diverse range of clientele, including commercial clients who desire custom greenhouse solutions tailored to their specific needs. It’s ideal for those seeking unique applications like integrating green spaces into restaurants or biophilic environments. Additionally, organizations in need of expertise in grow facility design and construction, such as research facilities or agricultural ventures like the USDA, can benefit. Architects looking to incorporate green elements into their designs, whether for commercial biophilic structures or residential greenhouses, will find our service invaluable. Furthermore, clients eager to innovate and embrace cutting-edge technologies and solutions will discover tailored support to bring their visions to life.
What is included in the Design and Development package?
- Greenhouse design review:
- Redline and review of existing greenhouse plans
- Shading study
- Custom greenhouse design is offered in partnership with the client’s architect/designer
- Greenhouse-specific material recommendations:
- Insulation
- Glazing (light-transmitting materials)
- Moisture proofing strategies
- Recommendations on Climate Control Strategy (vented v. sealed):
- Strategy for climate control
- HVAC+D sizing & recommendations
- Recommendations of suppliers
- Energy calculations:
- Vented greenhouses: preliminary energy usage based on weather files analysis (ventilation, lighting, etc.)
- Sealed greenhouses: evaluated on project-by-project basis; requires more extensive modeling
Additional Offerings:
- Greenhouse plans
- Structural and or stamped drawings
- Structural and attachment details
- MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) drawings
- GAHT® (Ground to Air Heat Transfer) system design packages
- Sunsense™ Control
- Lighting layout
- Site visit
Greenhouse Design and Development Case Study: Tangled Roots
Carrie Hames, our client at Tangled Roots, a wedding venue in Edmonton, Canada, approached us with an exciting vision for a greenhouse event space to be situated on the south side of a brewery that was in the early stages of construction. Not having designed many greenhouses for people gathering, we jumped at the opportunity. Our client was already working with a structural engineer and had connections to material suppliers, so we sent them greenhouse drawings and they got to work on everything else.
The final design incorporated our patented GAHT® system, complemented by radiant floor heating to enhance guest comfort. A distinctive feature of this greenhouse is the strategically placed openings in the wall between the greenhouse and the brewery, which facilitate temperature regulation between the two spaces. Additionally, the greenhouse includes a wet wall for effective cooling during warmer months, and the roof is constructed from triple-wall polycarbonate, ensuring durability and insulation.
While the structural design showcases Ceres’ passive solar properties, the greenhouse’s other elements—such as the customized grow beds on wheels and various decorative accents—reflect the unique identity of Tangled Roots. This project not only fulfills Carrie’s vision but also sets a new standard for versatile event spaces.
About Tangled Roots:
To fully appreciate the value of the new greenhouse, it’s important to understand the community-focused vision behind Tangled Roots. In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic in 2020, Carrie Hames and her family recognized the need to create a space that would foster connection and uplift individuals. They envisioned a place that emphasizes health, wellness, and the joy of growing healthy and nutritious food year-round.
Spanning 30 acres, the Tangled Roots venue is still evolving, but when completed, it will feature a wellness center lodge for guests to enjoy a sauna and yoga classes, cozy cabins for overnight stays, a lazy river for relaxation on warm days, and a large 5,000 sq ft indoor event building which is already attracting bookings. In addition to the main event building, the brewery with an attached Ceres greenhouse will also be a perfect setting for weddings and other gatherings. The brewery will produce beer using hops harvested from the 1,200 hop plants located nearby.
If you are interested in Ceres’ Design Development Package and would like to know more or request a customized quote, contact us today!
