Design Solutions for Instrumental Hydroponic Greenhouses for Receptive Purposes

Abstract

The present paper deals with an innovative use of hydroponic greenhouses, in which plants grow without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent. The paper highlights the advantages of the hydroponic cultivation system and describes the project of a particular solar greenhouse that can be used as a space for the cultivating of vegetable species, but, thanks to its transformability features, can generate spaces assigned to different destinations: the proposed solar greenhouse can be occasionally adapted in order to become a receptive facility, exploiting an innovative system for cultivation lifting. The result is a flexible, modular and mobile architectural structure, totally reversible and energetically independent, providing support to a farming activity. Consequently, it may help even the Italian tourist industry that is increasingly based on country B&B and agritourisms located in the most valuable zones that always are even national, regional or local protected areas where the construction of new traditional building is prohibited.