The purpose of the Inflatable Greenhouse IPRO was to design an air supported structure that was cheaper than the current greenhouse solution. The structural support of current greenhouses creates... Show moreThe purpose of the Inflatable Greenhouse IPRO was to design an air supported structure that was cheaper than the current greenhouse solution. The structural support of current greenhouses creates shadows that prevent an even sunlight exposure for the plants. The other issues we investigated were the cost, size, thermal control, and pest control of current greenhouse designs. The majority of the cost for a traditional greenhouse goes towards the structural support therefore an air supported structure should be significantly cheaper. The basic greenhouse design is oriented towards human occupants and is subsequently quite large. If the greenhouse was instead designed to house the plants already in the ground, just for the months that they needed shelter to grow, the cut back in size would also greatly affect the cost. We also looked into the thermal qualities of greenhouses. The very nature of a greenhouse absorbs and traps the light and heat of the sun. Without a cooling system a greenhouse can overheat and harm the plants within it. The other problem we found with current greenhouses was the pest control solution. Most greenhouses use strong chemicals that require special training for use and safety. Even the “organic” solutions use natural chemicals in concentrations considered toxic. Our goal was to design a greenhouse that would address each of these issues with a cheap and practical solution. Show less
