Architecture

Unused rooftop space transformed into stunning sustainable farm

Unused rooftop space transformed into stunning sustainable farm
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm measures roughly 236,800 sq ft (22,000 sq m), making it the largest organic rooftop farm in Asia
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm measures roughly 236,800 sq ft (22,000 sq m), making it the largest organic rooftop farm in Asia
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The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm measures roughly 236,800 sq ft (22,000 sq m), making it the largest organic rooftop farm in Asia
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The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm measures roughly 236,800 sq ft (22,000 sq m), making it the largest organic rooftop farm in Asia
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm
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The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm includes multiple meeting areas and viewing points, offering 360-degree views of the area at its uppermost point
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm hosts year-round workshops on sustainable agriculture techniques
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The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm hosts year-round workshops on sustainable agriculture techniques
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm is open to members of the public
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The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm is open to members of the public
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm's entrance features a terraced amphitheater with life-size sculptures of the University’s two founders
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The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm's entrance features a terraced amphitheater with life-size sculptures of the University’s two founders
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm is designed to resemble the traditional rice fields in Thailand's rural north
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The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm is designed to resemble the traditional rice fields in Thailand's rural north
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm grows more than 40 edible species, including rice, indigenous vegetables and herbs, and fruit trees
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The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm grows more than 40 edible species, including rice, indigenous vegetables and herbs, and fruit trees
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm opened in December, 2019, and is part of an ongoing scheme to make Thammasat University more sustainable
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The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm opened in December, 2019, and is part of an ongoing scheme to make Thammasat University more sustainable
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The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm (or TURF), by Landprocess, puts an abandoned rooftop area belonging to Thammasat University's Rangsit Campus to fine use as an organic farm. The project incorporates solar power and rainwater collection, and is used to teach sustainable farming techniques.

TURF measures roughly 236,800 sq ft (22,000 sq m) and, according to Landprocess, is the largest organic rooftop farm in Asia. Its overall design is meant to resemble traditional Thai rice fields.

It hosts over 40 edible species, including rice, indigenous vegetables and herbs, and fruit trees, which are chosen to suit the conditions of the site. According to Landprocess, the project produces up to 80,000 meals of organic food each year for the university. The campus canteen then helps make compost from food waste to fertilize crops for the next harvest.

Solar panels power the farm and the university building below. Rainwater is also captured in channels which cause it to meander into several storage areas, to be used for irrigation when required.

The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm grows more than 40 edible species, including rice, indigenous vegetables and herbs, and fruit trees
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm grows more than 40 edible species, including rice, indigenous vegetables and herbs, and fruit trees

"The cascading rooftop can slow down runoff up to 20 times more efficiently than a conventional concrete rooftop," explains Landprocess. "As rainwater zigzags down the slopes, each level of TURF harvests runoff from the previous cell, forming unique clusters of micro-watersheds along the terrace to help absorb, filter and purify rainwater while growing food for the campus. At the end of its journey, four retention ponds await, capable of holding up to 3,095,570 gallons [11,718,007 L] of water once combined."

The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm hosts year-round workshops on sustainable agriculture techniques
The Thammasat University Rooftop Farm hosts year-round workshops on sustainable agriculture techniques

Several spaces are installed for socializing and visitors can climb to the top to enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding area. Additionally, a large amphitheater is used as an educational space and TURF hosts year-round workshops on sustainable agriculture techniques.

The project opened in December, 2019, but was only completed recently, and is part of a larger ongoing effort to make Thailand's Thammasat University more sustainable.

Source: Landprocess

View gallery - 8 images
3 comments
3 comments
Username
Transformed from what? before pictures would have been appreciated. Also some description of how they prepared a roof that was not originally designed to support humid dirt .
paul314
Imagine for a moment if every city in the temperature and tropical world had agrivoltaic roofing...
ljaques
Pretty cool farm roof. Probably a mere $4,000,000 infrastructure underneath.