*We are not currently offering the Design & Development Package for residential growers.

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 projects. 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 new 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?

Architectural firms or clients who already have an existing architect or structural engineer hired for their greenhouse project.

What is included in the Design and Development package?

• Greenhouse plans: 
  • Plan, sections, elevations and 3D views 
  • Sun path study 
  • One set of plan revisions (meaning a revision of the greenhouse shell without design details)
  • Collaboration and support of your architect
• Recommendations on greenhouse materials:
  • Insulation
  • Glazing (light-transmitting materials)  
  • Moisture proofing strategies
• Recommendations on Climate Control Systems: 
  • Calculations for equipment sizing (ventilation and additional heating and cooling systems) 
  • Equipment placement
  • Recommendations of suppliers 
• Additional support:
  • Grow Support Layout: Basic Planting Plan and Interior Layout 

What is not included in the Design and Development package?

• Structural or stamped drawings 
• The client and architect will be responsible for glazing details and design for a greenhouse structure designed with glass. *If glass is selected, we will recommend product specification
• Structural details and attachment to house. The architect is responsible for this. 
• Client will be responsible for sourcing their own materials 

Greenhouse Design and Development Case Study:

Our clients came to Ceres with a vision for the greenhouse design. It was important that the
design matched the style of their home, and integrated well into the existing garden and woodland landscape on their site in Eugene, Oregon. They were working with an architect on some initial concepts when they came across Ceres Passive Solar Greenhouse Designs. While matching the architectural style of their home was a critical part of the greenhouse, it was also important that they could grow year-round. Other important aspects of the design included having a space where they could enjoy tea on cold, rainy winter mornings amongst plants.

Greenhouses are notoriously energy-intensive structures. This can be a great opportunity for Ceres to collaborate with growers and architects to share our knowledge on designing spaces for plants to thrive, and people to visit. In the initial kick-off meeting our clients shared some initial sketches and precedents she found from looking at photos for inspiration online:

In collaborating with our clients our goal was to help them design the most energy-efficient structure. This would include studying the solar angles and wind direction on the proposed site to come up with an optimal structure orientation for harvesting as much sunlight, and wind energy as possible. We integrated Ceres Passive Solar Design Principles to design the structure, and then made recommendations on the materials, and climate control equipment the client would need to grow tomatoes, culinary herbs, non-tropical flowers, a dwarf lemon tree, and houseplants in climate zone 8b. 

The client completed construction in January of 2022, and is now working with Ceres Grow Support team to bring her vision to life with plants in the greenhouse!

“We feel very lucky to have found Ceres and to have their extensive greenhouse design experience reflected in the passive solar systems and design of our unbelievably gorgeous greenhouse. The space is both deeply beautiful and very functional. I am thrilled every day to have this greenhouse and so thankful to have been able to build it right the first time, thanks to Ceres’ expertise. Now as I begin the learning curve of growing indoors, we have been wonderfully surprised to also have ongoing access to the experienced advice of the Grow Team. Ceres rocks!” 

 – Erika L., Eugene, OR

How much does the Design and Development package cost?

The package starts at $2,000, additional fees depend on the size of the structure and how complicated the project is. To request a customized quote, contact us today!