Patent Application
20250067079
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for buildings, and in particular, to system and methods for buildings suitable for mixed agricultural and light industrial or commercial use.
Global population growth resulting in increased food demand, combined with a combination of environmental, political, and socioeconomic challenges, is increasingly straining traditional frameworks for agricultural and food distribution.
The acceleration of climate change may amplify the incidence of extreme weather phenomena, such as flooding, droughts, wildfires, and other natural disasters. These weather events have an effect on crops and livestock. They may also lead to landslides and bridge collapses potentially causing damage to processing facilities and means of transportation. Each of these weather events may have a profound effect on food supply. As temperatures rise, the proliferation of weeds and pests may also increase, which impact agricultural costs and raise health concerns, such as due to increased herbicide and pesticide use. Further, increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations may diminish nutritional profiles of staple crops, such as wheat, rice, and soybeans.
Increasing destabilization of world governments resulting from a rise in nationalism and authoritarianism may increase the occurrence and likelihood of civil unrest and wars. Such destabilization may provide high inflationary pressure affecting prices. Other factors such as pandemics and price-fixing by suppliers and retailers may further contribute to food supply and pricing issues.
As a result of globalization, there may be certain regions that produce a disproportionate amount of certain food products and/or raw materials, and extreme weather events or government destabilization in those regions may have a significant effect on other regions. The ability and capacity to locally produce food products and/or raw materials is becoming increasingly important as it serves to at least partially insulate a region from factors in other political and/or geographical regions.
As cities expand, valuable agricultural land is being used for urban uses. Further, unsustainable practices such as deforestation, overgrazing, and improper land-use changes may increase soil erosion. Land in developed areas is commonly divided with each division being zoned for one or more specific permitted uses. While the process for changing a zoning of a particular parcel of land varies, it commonly requires additional time and cost without certainty of success of suitable development occurring. In many areas, there may be competing land use wherein there is a desire for more than one type of land use, such as agricultural, industrial, and/or residential. In many instances, the competing land use may result in incompatible zonings.
Zoning of particular land may depend on factors other than the most efficient use thereof. For example, a government may designate an area for industrial development while market factors may favour agricultural use of the land. Conversely, a government may designate an area for agricultural development that does not have suitable soil, climate or other environmental characteristics to effectively support agricultural use. Furthermore, costs associated with the land in question and/or operating costs may make it economically unfeasible to use particular land for agricultural purposes. While rezoning is an option, processes for changing land use designation may be complex, expensive and may have an uncertain chance of success.
In many areas, land designated for a particular use, for example agricultural, may be used for an additional purpose where a required portion is also used for agriculture. For example. some land may be trade enabling land used for industrial purposes where at least a required portion is also used for agriculture. Approaches such as open-air rooftop farming and rooftop greenhouses combine an agricultural space on top of pre-existing industrial use buildings, allowing producers to take advantage of industrial building capacity for agricultural use. While these rooftop approaches mitigate food supply and quality concerns, they have vulnerabilities. Reliance on natural sunlight and exposure to external temperatures, such as in the case of greenhouses, means that they are affected by weather fluctuations, extreme temperatures, and seasonality, which may affect crop yields, crop health, and may encourage harmful pathogen growth. Further, despite greenhouses providing improved control and protection relative to field grown crops, they are not sealed from an external environment. As a result, pests may enter greenhouses, impacting plant health, yields, food safety, and quality.
For at least these reasons, it may be desirable to establish new construction systems and methods for using a designated area of land in multiple ways.
Embodiments of systems and methods disclosed herein provide systems and methods for multi-use building structures having a first building module and a second building module, wherein the second building module is generally placed above the first building module. Each of the first building module and the second building module are independently environmentally isolated or decoupled and are connected with a connecting layer between the first building module and the second building module. The connecting layer provides support for the second building module and allows airflow between the connecting layer and an exterior environment.
Systems and methods disclosed herein provide a robust connecting layer comprising an air barrier for environmental separation, the air barrier allows air to circulate therethrough and provides a robust environmental buffer for the transfer of gases and fumes between the first building module and the second building module, environmentally decoupling the first building module and the second building module. Circulating air may be further enhanced with the use of fans, and the impact of humidity and frost may be further mitigated with the use of heating and cooling units as well as dehumidifiers.
Multi-use building structures as described herein may allow developers and operators to use land zoned for agricultural use or industrial use for both agricultural and industrial use, which may be advantageous where the land in question may not have suitable soil and environmental conditions to be economically feasible for agricultural use alone.
In a broad aspect of the present disclosure, a system for a multi-use building located in an exterior environment comprising a first building module; a second building module for agricultural use, the second building module located above the first building module; and a connecting layer for connecting the first building module and the second building module, the connecting layer comprising a support structure for supporting the second building module and allowing airflow between the connecting layer and the exterior environment, wherein the first building module and the second building module are each independently environmentally enclosed.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first building module is for light industrial or commercial use.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting layer comprises a perimeter structure with one or more vents.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting layer further comprises one or more air handling units.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the air handling units comprises one or more of a fan, a heater, a cooling unit, and a dehumidifier.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the one or more air handling units comprise filters.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the support structure comprises a plurality of posts.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the support structure comprises a plurality of joists arranged to provide air flow channels within the connecting layer.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting layer comprises a drainage system.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the first building module and the second module comprises one or more of an independent heating system, an independent ventilation system, an independent air conditioning system, an independent water distribution system, and an independent drainage system.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first building module and the second building module are each insulated from the exterior environment.
In a broad aspect of the present disclosure, a method for constructing a multi-use building in an exterior environment comprises constructing a first building module; constructing a connecting layer on top of the first building module; and constructing a second building module on the connecting layer, wherein the first building module and the second building module are each independently environmentally enclosed, and wherein the connecting layer is for supporting the second building module and allowing airflow between the connecting layer and the exterior environment.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first building module is for light industrial or commercial use.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises providing a fan for forcing airflow through the connecting layer.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises providing a heater for heating air in the connecting layer.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises providing a cooling unit for cooling air in the connecting layer.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises providing a dehumidifier for dehumidifying air in the connecting layer.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises maintaining positive air pressure in the connecting layer.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises filtering air in the connecting layer.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises providing a water drainage system in the connecting layer.
Indoor controlled environment agriculture (CEA) or vertical farming has emerged as an increasingly popular method of growing crops, supported by lower costs of light emitting diode (LED) lighting and advances in environmental control techniques. In vertical farming, crops may be grown indoor under artificial lighting, commonly in stacked trays arranged on vertical racks or on vertical pillars. Since plants grown in vertical farming do not require exposure to natural sunlight. they may be grown and fully sealed and protected grow spaces with finely tuned lighting, nutritional, and temperature conditions. By precisely controlling these parameters and fully sealing grow spaces from pests, pollutants, and other harmful toxins, vertical farming may obviate the need for herbicides and pesticides, and dramatically reduce risk of presence of harmful pathogens. While vertical farming provides many advantages, placing a vertical farm above an existing light-industrial setting introduces challenges, such as emissions from manufacturing processes, potential chemical leakages, and/or operational fumes from industrial applications jeopardizing the integrity of the vertical farm above. Contaminants may readily permeate upwards, nullifying the benefits of the controlled environment, while leaks from the vertical farm may penetrate the industrial space below. As food safety is critically important, maintaining the integrity of the upper growing space is essential. Typical construction methods rely on varying degrees of layered solid interfaces between the industrial space below and the vertical farm above, as the solid interfaces are susceptible to cracks, holes, and gaps rendering them inadequate for preventing leakage of gasses, fumes, liquids or other materials.
Without being bound by any particular theory, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide at least two environmentally isolated areas that are independently environmentally enclosed. A first area may be configured to provide a use that meets the designated use-requirements of the particular parcel of land where a building is positioned. A second area is configured to provide a non-designated use-that is different from the use of the first area-so that the given parcel of land can still meet the designated use-requirements and provide further beneficial uses.
For a more complete understanding of the disclosure, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein generally have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Exemplary terms are defined below for ease in understanding the subject matter of the present disclosure.
The term “a” or “an” refers to one or more of that entity: for example, “a unit” refers to one or more units or at least one unit. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” are used interchangeably herein. In addition, reference to an element or feature by the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements or features are present, unless the context clearly requires that there is one and only one of the elements. Furthermore, reference to a feature in the plurality (e.g., modules), unless clearly intended, does not mean that the systems or methods disclosed herein must comprise a plurality.
The expression “and/or” refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items (e.g. one or the other, or both), as well as the lack of combinations when interrupted in the alternative (or).
Some embodiments of systems and methods disclosed herein provide multi-use buildings and systems that employ such buildings that are suitable for deploying in areas where different uses tend to be incompatible. In particular applications where a first use tends to render the surrounding environment unsuitable for a second use, and vice-versa. For example, where the first use is industrial and the second use is agricultural, including CEA or vertical farming. Some embodiments disclosed herein describe such a multi-use building where the agricultural portion of the building is generally located above the industrial portion of the building. In such a configuration, heat and emissions generated from the industrial portion may render its surrounding environment unsuitable for agricultural applications. Specifically, heat and/or extreme changes in temperature may cause temperatures unsuitable for plant or vegetation growth and industrial emissions may be detrimental to crop health and/or poisonous to the plants themselves. Further, contaminated crops may be unsuitable for human or even animal consumption as a food source. In addition, environmental changes such as moisture or agricultural by-products may be detrimental to the use the industrial space. For example, building structures for poultry farming require specific construction standards as waste from poultry can be extremely caustic or corrosive to its surrounding environment. Farming crops may require high-humidity environments, which are incompatible with many industrial applications which may require drier environments to avoid prematurely accelerating corrosion of metals that are present and/or used in the industrial applications. Further, larger leaks or spills may result in large quantities of water entering the industrial space causing safety and damage concerns.
Referring to
In some embodiments disclosed herein, each unit 102 of the building system 100 comprises two or more isolated environments. In some embodiments disclosed herein, each unit 102 comprises a first building module 104, which may be a first floor or level of the unit 102, and a second module 106, which may be a second floor or level of the unit 102. While a two-story building embodiment is generally described as an embodiment herein, any number of floors may be used in a building system 100 and any floor may be divided into two or more isolated environments. For example, a three-story building may be used for a building system 100, wherein the first two floors could be a first building module 104 and the third floor could be a second building module 106. Alternatively, a two-story building may be use for a building system 100, wherein the first floor and a portion of the second floor are used as a first building module 104, while the remaining portion of the second floor could be a second building module 106.
The building system 100 may appear indistinguishable from other multi-level buildings having a similar architectural design. In some embodiments disclosed herein, a first building module 104 and a second building module 106 is separated by a connecting layer 108, wherein the first building module 104 is a first floor of a building, the second building module 106 is a second floor of the building, and the connecting layer 108 is located between the first and second floors. In some embodiments disclosed herein, the connecting layer 108 connects the first building module 104 and the second building module 106, and provides support for the second building module 106 sitting on the connecting layer 108 above the first building module 104, as well as contributing to the environmental isolation or decoupling of the first building module 104 and the second building module 106.
To address issues relating to multi-use building systems 100, some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to environmental isolation of the first building module 104 and the second building module 106 having different uses with specific details, including as it relates to a connecting layer 108. The connecting layer 108 defines an internal plenum X, providing appropriate drainage, providing pest control measures, providing proper ventilation, and providing separate water systems.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, water systems of the environmentally isolated building modules 104 and 106 are independent and isolated in order to ensure safety and quality of water used for agricultural applications, as well as to prevent cross-contamination between potable water, sewage systems, and other waste effluent system in any of the units 102. The isolated water systems may address issues such as backflow prevention, separate distribution systems within the second building module 106 for agricultural purposes and separate distribution systems for the first building module 104 for industrial or commercial purposes. To address backflow prevention, pipes, hoses, storage tanks, taps, and drains may be installed with backflow or back-siphonage features, which may be achieved using backflow prevention devices such as air gaps, reduced pressure zone assemblies, double-check assemblies, and/or the like. Within the second building module 106 for agricultural applications, separate water distribution systems may be used for agricultural water, isolated from potable water systems, sewage systems, any other waste effluent system, and/or the like. Further, separate water distribution systems may be provided for agricultural applications and industrial/commercial applications to maintain optimal conditions for each of the first building module 104 and the second building module 106 specific needs and reducing the likelihood of cross-contamination therebetween.
An adjacent first building modules 104 may introduce contaminants such as dust, fumes, toxic liquids, polluted air, and/or other chemicals into the second building module 106. It is important to prevent entry of such contaminants into the grow space of the second building module 106 to avoid negative impact on the quality, safety, and overall yield of crops being produced. Conversely, crop production inputs and outputs may negatively affect operations of the industrial or commercial operations in the first building module 104 if those inputs and outputs should drift, leak, or leach into the first building module 104.
Referring to
In some embodiments disclosed herein, the support structure 110 may be comprised of a plurality of posts or columns 112 that may be arranged within the internal plenum X to allow airflow A through the connecting layer 108. Alternatively, the support structure 110 may be comprised of a plurality of joists 114 arranged within the internal plenum X to provide one or more airflow channels B through the connecting layer 108. The support structure 110 may be comprised of any material having suitable strength and durability characteristics such as wood, steel, concrete, stone, and/or the like. The support structure 110 may be designed as required to provide support at calculated load points for a given application.
The first building module 104 and the second building module 106 may be independently insulated and/or sealed to establish each modules environmental isolation from the other modules. Each of the first building module 104 and the second building module 106 may have independent environmental controls, such as independent heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The layout of the first building module 104 and the second building module 106 may also be designed such that openings, such as windows, doors, air intakes, and/or air exhausts, are arranged so that the environmental isolation or decoupling is enhanced. The connecting layer 108 may also provide additional insulating and sealing functionality including through the use of barrier, such as air and vapour barriers, and sealants. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connecting layer 108 may comprise an impermeable membrane or a sealed structural concrete separation. An impermeable membrane may be a waterproof and airtight membrane to prevent the transfer of liquids, gases, and contaminants between the first building module 104 and the second building module 106. The membrane may be resistant to chemicals and corrosion to ensure long-term durability and effectiveness, and may comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, and/or the like. Sealed structural concrete separations may comprise a layer of concrete thick enough to reasonably reduce the likelihood of solids, liquids, or gases from penetrating the separation. The separation may be sealed to prevent the transfer of liquids, solids, or gases, and maybe comprise an applied coating, such as epoxy or polyurethane, or a sealant, such as silicone or polyurethane.
Proper ventilation within the connecting layer 108 may remove excess heat, steam, condensation, dust, and/or other air contaminants. The airflow A through the connecting layer 108 may be naturally occurring as a result of temperature changes or differences, pressure changes or differences, and/or the like causing convection or wind. Alternatively, the connecting layer 108 may comprise one or more fans 118, the fans 118 for improving air circulation through the connecting layer 108. Additionally, the connecting layer 108 may comprise a heater 120, a cooling unit 122. and/or a dehumidification unit 124. The heating unit 120 may be for heating the air in the connecting layer 108, the cooling unit 122 may be for cooling the air in the connecting layer 122, and the dehumidification unit 124 may be for dehumidifying the air in the connecting layer. Each of the heating unit 120, the cooling unit 122, and the dehumidification unit 124 may also comprise fan 118. Each of the fans 118, the heating unit 120, the cooling unit 122, and the dehumidification unit 124 may be connected to thermostats and hydrostats, as appropriate, and/or be connected to a controller. The controller may comprise a communications module for remote control of the fans 118, the heating unit 120, the cooling unit 122, and the dehumidification unit 124.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, ventilation of the connecting layer 108 may comprise positive pressure ventilation, air filtration, and isolated air handling. The connecting layer 108 may be configured to maintain a higher air pressure within spaces as compared to the first building module 104 for industrial or commercial applications and the second building module 106 for agricultural applications, including CEA or vertical farming. The higher air pressure prevents contaminated air from the first building module 104 from entering grow space of the second building module 106. Air handling units within the connecting layer, such as fans 118, heating units 120, cooling units 122, and dehumidification units 124 may comprise high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or other suitable air filtration systems. Further, the air handling systems of the first building module 104 and the second building module 106 may be independent and isolated to prevent cross contamination therebetween.
In some embodiments disclosed herein, the connecting layer 108 may comprise a perimeter structure 125 defining a perimeter of the connecting layer 108, the perimeter structure 125 comprising one or more vents 126 for allowing airflow through the connecting layer 108. The vents 126 may be opened and closed manually or using actuators, wherein the actuators may be connected to a controller. The vents 126 may be controlled remotely in embodiments where in the controller comprises a communications module.
Due to differences in temperature and climate between the first building module 104, the second building module 106, the connecting layer 108 and the outside environment, humidity and/or condensation may develop in the connecting layer 108. In colder conditions, this may result in frost and/or ice buildup. The use of independent controls, such as a heating unit 120, a cooling unit 122, and/or a dehumidification unit 124 may reduce the impact of humidity. In certain circumstances, however, water may buildup in the connecting layer 108 and drainage of the water may become required. Leakage of fluid from the second building module 106 may also result in circumstances where drainage is desired. Management of excess water, overflow, and/or wastewater in the second building module 106 is important, as well as managing the risk of cross contamination between the first building module 104 and the second building module 106 resulting from drainage, sewage, and/or waste water systems. Proper drainage is important for maintaining a safe and clean environment, preventing growing of microorganisms, and reducing the risk of contamination. In some embodiments disclosed herein, the connecting layer 108 may comprise one or more tracks 127 and one or more outlets to facilitate drainage of liquid from the connecting layer 108.
In addition, the second building module 106 may comprise sloped surfaces and the drainage systems of the first and second building modules 104 and 106 may be independent. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second building module 106 may comprise a sloped floor system, wherein all of the surfaces slope towards drains. The floors may be constructed of smooth, dense, and impact-resistant material that may be effectively graded and drained, permitting easy cleaning and imperviousness to liquid. Examples of suitable materials include epoxy flooring. polyurethane flooring, and/or polished concrete with a sealed surface. To further prevent cross-contamination between the first building module 104 and the second building module 106 may have independent draining or sewage systems.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the unit 102 may comprise features to address prevention of pests, such as insects, rodents, and bird from entering and infesting the second building module 106, as pests pose a significant risk to the quality and safety of crops. To address pest prevention, the unit 102 may be sealed, and comprise self-closing devices and screens. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, all external openings of the agricultural module may be sealed including property seals around all windows, doors, roof, wall junctions, air intakes, and foundation. Effective sealing may comprise using weather-stripping, caulking, and/or the like. Additionally, all external and internal doors of the second building module 106 may comprise self-closing devices to reduce the likelihood of entry of pests. Further, all windows of the second building unit 106 may comprise screens, the screens comprising a fine mesh material to prevent the entry of pests.
Existing buildings may have a connecting layer 108 and a second building module 106 retrofit thereon, wherein the original building structure is essentially a first building module 104.
The environmental isolation or decoupling of the first building module 104 with the second building module 106 allows the building system 100 to be used for different applications including applications having very different environments. In some embodiments disclosed herein, the first building module 104 is for industrial or light industrial use while the second building module 106 is for agricultural use, such as CEA or vertical farming. In some jurisdictions, the building system 100 in such a configuration allows the building to be used in land zoned for agricultural use. The ability to generate revenue from industrial or light industrial use allows the building system 100 to be potentially more profitable, which may be especially important in locations where agricultural use zoned lands have poor soil quality and/or unsuitable climatic conditions which make the land unsuitable for profitable agricultural use. Where such land zoned for agricultural would only be suitable for greenhouse or other enclosed farming environments such as CEA or vertical farming, the ability to have additional uses of the land is greatly desirable.
In a building system 100 for multi-use for agricultural and industrial use, a first building module 104 located proximately from the ground level would generally be used for the industrial application while a second building module 106 located above the first building module 104 would generally be used for agricultural purposes, such as CEA or vertical farming. While this may generally be the case, any alternative configuration may be used such as the industrial application being in the second building module 106 located above the agricultural application in the first building module 104, or any other configuration described above comprising more than two floors and/or one floor being used for more than one purpose.
In a building system 100 where the second level comprising the second building module 106 is for agricultural use including CEA or vertical farming, a roof can be designed to provide access to additional sunlight and/or the outside environment in addition to windows, doors, and/or the like. Environments for agricultural purposes may have specific environmental needs, specifically in relation to sunlight and/or artificial light, temperature, humidity, and/or the like. These needs can generally be addressed, as described above in relation to units 102, by having independent systems for heating, plumbing, and air flow for the second building module 106. An additional need for agricultural is air quality, which may depend on the type of crops being grown. In a multi-use building for industrial and agricultural purposes, control of pollution and the maintenance thereof away from the agricultural portion of the building system 100 may be very important. As above, openings in the first building module 104 and the second building module 106, such as windows, doors, air intakes, and/or air exhausts, may be carefully arranged so that the environmental isolation or decoupling is enhanced. The connecting layer 108 is designed to generally provide separation of the air between the first building module 104 and the second building module 106 and thus, should limit any industrial air pollution contamination from the first building module 104 to the second building module 106. The airflow in the connecting layer 108 should further reduce any risk of industrial air pollution contamination in the event that the air within the connecting layer 108 becomes contaminated as a result of compromised isolation or decoupling of the first building module 104 and the second building module 106.
As agricultural applications, such as CEA or vertical farming, may involve the use of heavy equipment including frames, structures, and/or the like, large amounts of soil, and large amounts of water, it is important for the building system 100 to provide the structural strength to support the second building module 106. In addition, the use of fans 118, heating units 120, cooling units 122, and/or dehumidification units 124 may be used to limit the effect of moisture that has escaped from the second building module 106 to the connecting layer 108 prior to entering the first building module 104. Additionally, the use of drainage tracks 127 within the connecting layer 108 as described above may also assist to this end.
Referring to
