The Hive is a Commercial Urban Farm Located in Rochester, New York. Rochester is planning to infill its North Inner Loop expressway, as it creates a divide within the city itself. In response to this opportunity, the Hive looks to become a major food source for the inner-city and low-income residents of Rochester. Moreover, the Hive will provide jobs for lower-income residents, uplifting their community. Furthermore, the Hive will create public spaces for people to use year-round through an extension of Schiller Park, a cafe, and an urban streetscape for people to walk and sit while protected from the elements. The Hive itself is located along the Rochester North Inner Loop between Joseph Avenue and Chestnut Street, as well as across from the Rochester Post Office on Cumberland Street, and in front of Schiller Park.
Cumberland Streetscape
Steel Detail Section and Callouts
The Hive is constructed from W 30 x 261 Steel Beams and Columns. Essentially, the form is produced by alternating the slant direction of the top beam. The framing is then connected through plates, welds, nuts, and bolts. Finally, the curtain wall system is hung off of the structural members, creating a semi-exoskeleton consisting of glazing and insulated panels. The roof curtain system is laid on top of the steel members and creates an overhang along the designated streetscape on Cumberland Street. The roof curtain system consists of glazing, insulated concrete panels, and photovoltaic cells. These cells are meant to provide backup electricity to the farm to run Grow lamps when need be.
The Hive’s vertical farm breaks down into two main bays, broken down into smaller sections. These bays are located in the inner loop itself, reducing overall infill costs for the city of Rochester. It is set up this way to increase the height of the available glazing, thereby maximizing solar gain. The farm is made up of vertical aeroponic towers. Vertical aeroponic farming is stacking plants in slots without soil and spraying the roots with nutrients and water. This method uses minimal water and can be used to grow almost any type of vegetable. Overall, there is 25,000 sf of space for vertical farming. If the farm were to only produce leafy greens through aeroponic towers, it is projected to have a net profit of $91,083 per month.
Schiller park entrance from Cumberland Street
Schiller Park Plan
Schiller Park used to extend to the proposed plan area before it was cut in half by the North Inner Loop. Originally, it acted as a greenway connector from the central urban area to the edge of suburbia. The Hive plans to restore the Schiller Park to its original boundaries. Moreover, the Hive will utilize the park to its advantage through the filtration of stormwater. This will reduce the water needs and usage of the farm overall. Furthermore, the Hive looks to reintegrate Schiller Park as a connector to the city of Rochester, as well as provide more green space for the local community.
Bird's eye view of the Urban Farm and Schiller Park