Integrated greenhouse module as one of the promising areas for the development of greenhouse structures

Abstract

The study addresses the issue of greenhouse structures in Ukraine, most of which, after an active period of construction (mid-20th century to the second half), have reached their limit in architectural-constructional and innovation-technological aspects, as contemporary scientific and practical papers in the field of architecture and greenhouse design are almost absent. The purpose of this study is to identify promising areas for the development of greenhouse structures, establish types of integrated greenhouse modules, and formulate basic recommendations for their organisation. The research methodology consists of three stages (preparatory, research and synthesis) using methods such as analysis of literary and scientific sources, terminological clarification of concepts, logical analysis, critical and comparative analysis, graph-analytical method, generalisation, induction, hypothesis and forecasting. As a result of examining examples of global experience, five types of integration of greenhouse modules into the structure of buildings and structures of various typologies were identified: “greenhouse module – open atrium”, the concept of which is to create a green module in the space of an open atrium to organise a cultural and aesthetic point of attraction; “greenhouse module – closed atrium”, which is formed in the space of a separate, closed atrium that separates different functional blocks and creates a buffer zone for employees of the institution; “greenhouse module – ‘green’ rooms”, which are implemented in those functional blocks that, to the extent of their specificity, require psychological and unloading rooms, rooms for emotional relaxation and meditation; “greenhouse module – floor”, which serves as a buffer floor between different functional blocks to create a comfortable environmental and social background for people in the working environment; “greenhouse module – entire building” is the rarest type, which increases the level of efficiency, motivation and creativity. An analysis of individual structures allowed identifying the following recommendations for integrating greenhouse modules: greenhouse modules should be incorporated in the design stage; medical, botanical and aesthetic aspects should be considered; carefully select the assortment of plants; proper care of plants will ensure the longevity of the module; the greenhouse module should address the set tasks. The practical value of this study lies in the fact that the results can be used to create recommendations and methodological guidelines for designing greenhouse modules