Students: I. Canavan, L. Wesselink
Tutor: Vincent Staat
In this project, students explored the design of an emergency greenhouse for disaster-affected areas, with a focus on portability, modularity and structural safety. The greenhouse was developed as a lightweight system that could be transported in a single pickup truck and assembled by two people without tools or heavy equipment.
The project began with a clear set of functional and structural requirements. In addition to being easy to transport and assemble, the design had to provide sufficient interior space, support plant growth, and remain durable under demanding weather conditions. India was selected as the reference location for the structural verification, allowing the design to be tested against realistic environmental loads.
Through a process of sketching and comparing different concepts, the students developed a final proposal based on foldable aluminium frame elements, modular panels, and a multifunctional cap that stabilizes and connects the structure. The result is a compact greenhouse system that can be assembled step by step and extended when needed.
The final design was structurally verified through digital modelling, with particular attention to wind loads and stability. The research showed that wind uplift is the most critical challenge for the greenhouse, meaning that additional stabilizing measures such as stakes or ballast may be necessary in certain conditions. Overall, the project demonstrates how structural design and modular construction can support resilient food production systems in emergency contexts.
