Andreas Tsavaris

natural STUCTURE taking our cues from the sun As the world’s outlook on both local and global environmental issues changes, so must an architect’s design process. With the introduction of the LEED accreditation and its growing popularity, combined with a stricter set of laws focused on energy conservation, the core principle of this exercise was to gain an understanding of and appreciation for the natural resources readily available on a site.

Located in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx, this greenhouse compound, inspired by various designs found in nature, capitalizes on the effects the sun has on buildings and harnesses its power to better suit our needs. The complex houses a market and restaurant meant to sell produce grown on-site, as well as an education center and lecture hall to teach visiting students about horticulture and the environment.

The length of the greenhouse runs on a north-south axis in order to exploit the maximum amount of light available throughout the year. In order to prevent the structure’s wings from interfering with the sunlight, they were designed to stretch out perpendicularly. This layout also allows visitors entering the building to view the interior of the greenhouse, despite not having direct access. For the market, an open plan was created to capture the feel of an open-air farmers market while the restaurant and lecture hall serves as s central hubs, connecting the elements of the complex (top right).

To maintain the green integrity of the project, water from the Bronx River would be treated to levels equal to that of grey water and then used to irrigate plants and operate other non-potable water units.

Additionally, by taking advantage of the stack effect and the natural cross breeze that flows along with the river, the greenhouse’s HVAC system is kept to a minimum.