The "Plant-up Factory" project is a concept created by Kacper Gora - a student of Interior Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow and biology at the University of the National Education Commission. The young architect proposed a space designed primarily for plants. He adopted the building of the old post office at 21 B Cystersów Street in Cracow. He created a kind of incubator where, under the care of scientists, plants will develop and become increasingly resistant to changing environmental conditions and multiply the nutrients they contain.
boards
© Kacper Gora
project idea
The "Plant-up Factory" project focuses on the genetic modification of plants to produce stronger species. Laboratories allow for gene modification, and modified plants are planted in the building's growing field. The green zone is an incubation center , providing optimal growth conditions. Once the plants have achieved adequate development, they are moved to the natural environment. The space makes it possible to research genetic modification of different plant varieties, creating new species with desirable traits, as well as to conduct various experiments and diagnose problems among plants.
projections and sections
© Kacper Gora
adaptation of the old post office building
The building of the old post office at 21 B Cystersów Street in Cracow was chosen for the project because of its form based on simple masses and the characteristic skylight that crosses the entire gabled roof. This element gives the interior an unusual atmosphere, changing with the season, day and weather, emphasizing its factory character. The building has a rectangular form measuring 93.5 by 18.2 meters, consisting of two levels: the basement (-1) and the first floor (0). It has two entrances located in both gable walls, a front and rear facade made of brick, and interior walls made of brick and plaster. The roof structure is supported by wooden columns set against the interior walls.
the building's stagnant elevations
© Kacper Gór
main design assumptions
The main idea of the project was to transform the existing building into a kind of "farm field" by deepening the interior of the basement by 90 centimeters and reinforcing the foundations, which will allow planting of plants and installation of irrigation systems. It is also planned to enlarge the lower parts of the windows for better use of natural light. The structure will be cleared of unnecessary elements, and staircases will be relocated, adapting the building to function as a laboratory. The project also includes the creation of a water basin at ground zero to separate the laboratory area and improve humidity. The structure supporting the roof will be replaced, and the interior walls will be clad with concrete slabs. The entire space will be framed as a single-space laboratory, exposing an impressive skylight that stretches the entire length of the building.
boards
© Kacper Gora
laboratory
The most important functions on level 0 are the science laboratory and the surrounding "farm field." The rest of the functions are hidden in freestanding glass cubicles embedded with plants.
In the central part of the building, under a long skylight, is the laboratory, a space that emphasizes the character of the building and provides optimal working conditions. The large skylight provides natural light, facilitating observation of plants, a key part of research. The laboratory is located on a surface with water, thanks to a special floor design. The design avoids the stereotypical look of a laboratory by combining concrete with sheet metal, which relates to the adapted character of the building. The laboratory consists of four plant incubators and eight laboratory islands, where metal racks with LED panels provide adequate light for the seedlings. The incubators allow for precise control of conditions and breeding both in pots with soil and in water dishes. In designing the laboratory islands, an ergonomic work space was created, equipped with shelves and drawers for needed equipment such as microscopes and chemical reagents. Each island is equipped with a large sink for quickly washing laboratory glassware and metal pillars with electrical outlets and glass shelves for chemical reagents. Additional LED lights on the shelves provide illumination of the work surface in the dark, making working at the islands as effective during the day as at night.
Elements of the laboratory in the water, glazed cubicles of level -1
© Kacper Gora
"crop field"
The cultivation field occupies most of the first floor, taking the shape of a rectangle measuring 15 by 86.8 meters, with a central section measuring 7.3 by 78.5 meters for laboratory functions. The placement of the laboratory area inside the field allows scientific work to be observed by plants, which integrates research work with the natural environment. It is a kind of temporary home for plants that are planted there after being genetically modified and grown in incubators. The space provides optimal conditions for the plants to grow, and once they reach the right stage, they are transferred to the natural environment. It is a versatile space that can mimic different ecosystems depending on the research being conducted.
boards
© Kacper Gora
level -1
A number of functions are planned for the -1 level of the building, including a room for concentrated work, storage for chemical reagents, a technical room, a server room, storage for essential plant care instruments, and rooms for managing infrastructure such as irrigation, air conditioning and lighting control. There is also a cold room for storing biological material under study, restrooms, computer workstations and incubators for plants.
interior of level -1
© Kacper Gora
"Plant-up Factory" is an idea aimed at improving various plant species in a modern biological startup. It opens new perspectives in the fight against global challenges.
boards
© Kacper Gora
