Short answer

Incorporate systems that facilitate thermal energy exchange between building functions and integrated urban agriculture to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

Field: Resource Management
Source: 'Elsevier BV' (2017)
Method: Simulation and Modelling
Evidence: Strong effect

Integrating rooftop greenhouses with adjacent buildings allows for significant thermal energy exchange, moderating indoor climates and reducing reliance on external heating and cooling systems. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in 'Elsevier BV'. Using Simulation and modelling, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate systems that facilitate thermal energy exchange between building functions and integrated urban agriculture to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

Study

Resource ManagementHigh ImpactStrong effect

Building-Integrated Greenhouses Recapture 43 MWh of Thermal Energy Annually

Integrating rooftop greenhouses with adjacent buildings allows for significant thermal energy exchange, moderating indoor climates and reducing reliance on external heating and cooling systems.

'Elsevier BV' · 2017

Key Findings

01The iRTG experienced significantly moderated average hourly temperatures compared to a freestanding greenhouse: 4.1 °C colder in winter and 4.4 °C warmer in summer.
02The iRTG recycled 43.78 MWh of thermal energy from the main building in 2015.
03Significant carbon savings were achieved compared to conventional greenhouse heating systems, ranging from 5.5 to 113.8 kg CO2(eq)/m2/yr.
04Economic savings of €15.88 to €19.63/m2/yr were realized compared to fossil fuel-based heating.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate systems that facilitate thermal energy exchange between building functions and integrated urban agriculture to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

How to apply

When designing new buildings or retrofitting existing ones in urban environments, consider the potential for integrating rooftop or vertical farming systems that can leverage waste heat or provide passive climate control for the building.

Project actions

01Consider how your design can interact with its environment or other systems to achieve greater efficiency.
02Quantify the energy or resource savings your design proposal could achieve.

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess the energy and environmental performance of a building-integrated rooftop greenhouse (iRTG) in a Mediterranean climate, focusing on the thermal interchange with the host building.

MethodSimulation and Modelling

ProcedureA building-integrated rooftop greenhouse (iRTG) was modelled using EnergyPlus, incorporating detailed thermophysical properties, site-specific weather data, control strategies, and soil temperatures. The model was validated against observed data and used to compare the iRTG's performance against an equivalent freestanding greenhouse.

ContextUrban agriculture, sustainable building design, energy efficiency

Variables

IVIntegration of rooftop greenhouse with building (vs. freestanding greenhouse)

DVAverage indoor temperature, thermal energy recycled, carbon savings, economic savings

CVMediterranean climate conditions, building thermophysical properties, control strategies, soil temperatures

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Uses a validated simulation model for detailed performance assessment.
+Quantifies both environmental and economic benefits.

Limitations

The simulation is based on specific assumptions about building materials and control systems, which might not be universally applicable.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by model validation against observed data. Reliability would depend on the accuracy and consistency of the simulation inputs and the EnergyPlus software itself.

Think critically

To what extent can the principles of thermal energy exchange between buildings and integrated agriculture be applied to different building typologies and climates?

Design Principles

"Symbiotic building-resource integration maximizes energy efficiency and environmental benefits."

This approach offers a novel strategy for enhancing building energy efficiency and promoting urban food security. By creating a symbiotic relationship between built structures and agricultural spaces, designers can unlock substantial environmental and economic benefits, contributing to more sustainable urban development.

What This Means for Your Design

Putting a greenhouse on a building's roof can help save energy because the greenhouse can share heat with the building, keeping it warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the integration of renewable energy or resource-sharing systems in your design proposal, citing the potential for significant energy and environmental benefits.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research by Contreras et al. (2017) demonstrates that integrating rooftop greenhouses with buildings can lead to significant thermal energy exchange, moderating indoor climates and yielding substantial energy and environmental savings. This symbiotic approach, exemplified in a Mediterranean context, highlights the potential for urban agriculture to contribute to building energy efficiency and sustainable development.

Source

'Elsevier BV'

Building-integrated rooftop greenhouses: an energy and environmental assessment in the mediterranean context

journal · 2017

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about building-integrated greenhouses recapture 43 mwh of thermal energy annually?: Incorporate systems that facilitate thermal energy exchange between building functions and integrated urban agriculture to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Evidence: 'Elsevier BV' (2017).
Why does "Building-Integrated Greenhouses Recapture 43 MWh of Thermal Energy Annually" matter for design?: This approach offers a novel strategy for enhancing building energy efficiency and promoting urban food security. By creating a symbiotic relationship between built structures and agricultural spaces, designers can unlock substantial environmental and economic benefits, contributing to more sustainable urban development.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate systems that facilitate thermal energy exchange between building functions and integrated urban agriculture to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
What were the main findings?: The iRTG experienced significantly moderated average hourly temperatures compared to a freestanding greenhouse: 4.1 °C colder in winter and 4.4 °C warmer in summer.. The iRTG recycled 43.78 MWh of thermal energy from the main building in 2015.. Significant carbon savings were achieved compared to conventional greenhouse heating systems, ranging from 5.5 to 113.8 kg CO2(eq)/m2/yr.. Economic savings of €15.88 to €19.63/m2/yr were realized compared to fossil fuel-based heating.
What research method was used?: Simulation and Modelling.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2017 journal from 'Elsevier BV'.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing new buildings or retrofitting existing ones in urban environments, consider the potential for integrating rooftop or vertical farming systems that can leverage waste heat or provide passive climate control for the building.
What are the limitations?: The study is specific to a Mediterranean climate and a particular building design; performance may vary in different climatic conditions or with different integration strategies.