04-10-2008, 10:16 AM
Geodesic dome vs Traditional Poly - Tunnel vs Greenhouse
So our garden needs a greenhouse growing area. What structure do we go for?
Geodesic dome positives:
* Artistic, Visionary, inspirational
* Helps convey thinking outside of conventional
* Stretching those involved in building it
* Extremely strong structure, withstanding high winds
* Moderate to low costs depending on materials used for struts
Geodesic dome negitive's:
* Could be resource intensive
(Depending on what material is used for the 165 Struts! e.g Copper piping vs local ash trees - Copper would last for long time and look beautiful but is it the right statement or blueprint to make? Ash trees would have to be replaced in a decade if untreated and would not have such a visual impact)
* Complicated to build
* Uses plastic for covering
Poly Tunnel - Positives
* Cheap and simple
* Good access inside
* Metal frames
* Strong if placed well according to prevailing wind
* Second hand / free frames easily found locally
Poly Tunnel - Negatives:
* Uses plastic
* Not as interesting or atheistic as a geo-dome!
Greenhouse Positives
* Strong and longterm construction
* Fully recyclable
* Provides a very protected and sound environment for growing
* Could be purpose built for the garden using fundraising
* Second hand / free easily found locally
Greenhouse Negatives
* Start up cost could be very high if purpose built
* Second hand structures are generally small (rarely big ex-commercial are available but will probably not be allowed to be put up in the garden!)
What do you think?
Mischa
So our garden needs a greenhouse growing area. What structure do we go for?
Geodesic dome positives:
* Artistic, Visionary, inspirational
* Helps convey thinking outside of conventional
* Stretching those involved in building it
* Extremely strong structure, withstanding high winds
* Moderate to low costs depending on materials used for struts
Geodesic dome negitive's:
* Could be resource intensive
(Depending on what material is used for the 165 Struts! e.g Copper piping vs local ash trees - Copper would last for long time and look beautiful but is it the right statement or blueprint to make? Ash trees would have to be replaced in a decade if untreated and would not have such a visual impact)
* Complicated to build
* Uses plastic for covering
Poly Tunnel - Positives
* Cheap and simple
* Good access inside
* Metal frames
* Strong if placed well according to prevailing wind
* Second hand / free frames easily found locally
Poly Tunnel - Negatives:
* Uses plastic
* Not as interesting or atheistic as a geo-dome!
Greenhouse Positives
* Strong and longterm construction
* Fully recyclable
* Provides a very protected and sound environment for growing
* Could be purpose built for the garden using fundraising
* Second hand / free easily found locally
Greenhouse Negatives
* Start up cost could be very high if purpose built
* Second hand structures are generally small (rarely big ex-commercial are available but will probably not be allowed to be put up in the garden!)
What do you think?
Mischa