Sustainability Report

Modular system: Vertical Farm Hengshui employs a lightweight, modular steel structure, allowing large spans and the efficient use of steel.

Vertical Farm Hengshui is designed as a facility for Controlled-Environment Agriculture (CEA) and employs comprehensive strategies to achieve low operational emissions:

• Production-consumer distance: the building's location in the city reduces the production-consumer distance, saves on logistics costs and lowers the carbon footprint of transportation. 

• Zones of operation: Vertical Farm Hengshui is composed of two different agricultural typologies, a fully-enclosed ground-floor vertical farm and a rooftop greenhouse. Offices on the first floor separates the two zones for operation. The residual heat from LED lighting in the vertical farm helps to warm the offices and greenhouse.

• Energy efficiency:

o   The rooftop greenhouse makes optimal use of daylight with a fully transparent, low-E glass roof. The roof has a layer of sun shading on the exterior and two layers of energy screens on the interior, allowing the building to adjust flexibly to different climate conditions throughout the year. 

o   The rooftop greenhouse adapts an evaporative cooling method through a pad-and-fan system, combined with natural ventilation from operable windows on the roof and façade.

o   The building’s façade is made of double-layered low-E glass that ensures energy efficiency.  

Circular use of water: the building collects and reuses excess water from irrigation, significantly reducing water usage during cultivation.