Heat Mitigation at NTU's Greenhouse
Location: Singapore
Material: PVDF-coated PVC Mesh membrane
Area: 100 m2
Heat and high temperatures inside a greenhouse are common issues in tropical countries, which results in less ideal conditions for plant growth. In this project, we were tasked to create a more suitable environment for the undergrowth foliage within this research greenhouse at NTU.
To do so, we proposed the installation of retractable shading, using PVDF-coated PVC mesh fabric, as well as duct fans to extract the warm air. PVC mesh fabric is a long-lasting, durable material that does not degrade under long-term exposure to UV light. The tensile strength of the fabric also allows it to be tensioned tightly when the shading is deployed, resulting in a neat, wrinkle-free appearance.
As the greenhouse is being used for reseach, an adaptable microclimate is advantageous as it allows parameters to be altered depending on each type of vegetation or condition to be measured. Thus, the retractable shading panels are controllable through a sun and light sensor, and the fans are activated via temperature settings that can be set by the user.
