Growing Power is Going Vertical (Renderings)

Will Allen, who has made Growing Power into a nationally-recognized organization is attempting to take the urban farming movement to the next level with his vertical farm proposal.  Much like when the Milwaukee Art Museum was built it raised Milwaukee’s profile in the architectural world’s sphere of notability, the vertical farm could similarly elevate Milwaukee’s place in the urban farming movement.  In preparation for this project, Growing Power Inc. requested a zoning change from RS5 to General Plan Development (GPD) at today’s City Plan Commission  to allow for the construction of a 34,000-square-foot, five-story, 85-feet-tall, vertical farm building.

The vertical farm facility will be designed to be as carbon neutral and energy and water efficient as feasible.  It will utilize the five stories to grow plants, vegetables, and herbs year-round, and to raise fish.  The south facing sloped surface of the building will absorb sun-light to take advantage of solar heating, helping to heat the building during the winter.  Additionally, photovoltaic panels will generate a part of the building’s energy requirements.  The building will also include classrooms, conference spaces, a demonstration kitchen, food processing and storage space, freezers, loading docks, offices, volunteer spaces, and staff support areas.

The zoning change was approved at today’s meeting of the City Plan Commission, and will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.

Related articles:

• Dubbed a hero, Allen looks to take farming to the skies
• Growing Power’s proposed vertical farm up for zoning review
• Growing Power plots expanded headquarters
• Growing Power plans to expand with 5-story building

These renderings, provided by Kubala Washatko Architects Inc., are very preliminary designs and still likely to change, but they represent the overall concept of the project.