AUXIN
Basic information
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Project Description
AUXIN is a vertical farming installation in the surroundings of a busy underground station, where plants are grown in a controlled environment without soil (hydroponics) and are dependent on artificial light. Different light moods of warm and cold colour spectrums influence health and well-being. The aesthetic interaction of light and plants creates an emotional experience that is intended to reconnect with nature and brings people closer to their food.
Geographical Scope
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Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
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Description of the project
Summary
In many urban areas there is a distinct lack of plants and natural light, additionally more and more time is spent indoors. As a result, humans connection to nature, food and the natural daily rhythms suffers.
AUXIN is a vertical farming installation in the surroundings of a busy underground station, where plants are grown in a controlled environment without soil (hydroponics) and are dependent on artificial light. Different light moods of warm and cold colour spectrums influence health and well-being. The aesthetic interaction of light and plants creates an emotional experience that is intended to reconnect with nature and brings people closer to their food.
Key objectives for sustainability
Unlike traditional agriculture, which requires fertile farmland and optimal weather conditions, vertical farms can be built in almost any location (e.g. underground stations). Thanks to modular stacking-grow systems - which enable expansion upwards and sideways - high productivity can be achieved even on a small space. Intelligent measurement and control technology creates a so-called controlled environment where risks due to weather, parasites and nutrient deficiencies can be ignored.
One of the main advantages of the system compared to conventional agriculture is that only about 10% of the water as well as nutrients and fertilisers are needed. The water circulates in the system and can thus be reused again and again. Vertical farming systems of this kind therefore contribute to the improvement of biodiversity, as there is no impact on the soil.
In this context crop production, transport and intermediate storage is usually the most expensive part, especially for imported goods from abroad. Our system is intended to illustrate that CO2 emissions can be massively reduced by cultivation in the immediate surroundings. In addition, these products can be sold and consumed faster and thus fresher.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
AUXIN is designed to reconnect people with nature and agriculture and introduce them to innovative farming systems. The installation's main attraction, however, is created by its unique lighting as well as the organic green and shape of the plants. Beyond its functionality it serves as an aesthetic spatial element.
Derived from Human Centric Lighting, AUXIN supports both the circadian rhythm of humans and plants through the visual, emotional and above all the biological effect of light.
Certain light at the right times of day can impact our health and well-being. Therefore, the lighting cycles through illuminances and colour spectrum from a warm colour (2500K) to a brighter, cooler one (6500K) and back again. This allows to alter the recipients mood. For example by creating a sunny-day-mood in a metro station, even if it’s cloudy and raining outside.
Key objectives for inclusion
Through the installation's impressive, sensory and artistic approach, it addresses a wide target group and aims to include people of all ages, genders and cultural backgrounds.
By strategically placing the AUXIN-showcases in public spaces - such as metro stations - we open them up to the public and prevent any educational privilege. Further does this didactic medium mainly rely on its showcasing abilities to demonstrate and educate about plant growth and the advantages of urban farming. This makes it comprehensible to a big audience regardless of their level of education, age, language etc.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
AUXIN creates awareness about a sustainable form of cultivation. In the face of increasing urbanisation, it sensitises people to the problems of traditional agriculture.
With the help of our lighting concept in combination with plants, AUXIN decorates the urban space and even becomes the main actor of the scene. The constantly changing installation makes the everyday use of public transport an experience for all commuters.
