Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In a world where urbanization continues to rise and sustainability becomes an urgent global concern, IKEA is taking a bold step toward greener cities with the release of open-source plans for The Growroom—a spherical, multi-tiered garden designed to sustainably grow food for entire neighborhoods. This innovative concept, developed in collaboration with SPACE10 (IKEA’s innovation lab) and architects Mads-Ulrik Husum and Sine Lindholm, aims to bring urban farming to the forefront and empower communities to feed themselves while reducing environmental footprints.
The Vision Behind The Growroom
The Growroom isn’t just a garden; it's a statement about the future of food production in urban spaces. Standing 2.8 meters in diameter and 2.5 meters in height, this spherical structure is designed to efficiently grow a variety of plants in compact, vertical spaces. Its open design allows sunlight and water to reach every plant level, fostering healthy growth. The idea is to create an environment where communities can grow their own food locally, reducing dependency on large-scale industrial farming, which often involves significant environmental costs due to transportation and waste.
Developed with sustainability in mind, The Growroom has a clear goal: to provide people, whether individuals or entire neighborhoods, with a self-sustaining gardening system that doesn’t require vast amounts of space. It’s designed for urban environments, meaning anyone with a small yard or even access to a rooftop could potentially benefit from this innovative gardening solution.
Open-Source Plans: Making It Accessible for All
In a groundbreaking move, IKEA has made The Growroom’s design completely open-source, available for free download. This decision reflects a larger philosophy that emphasizes sharing knowledge to promote sustainability. By releasing the plans, IKEA encourages anyone—from DIY enthusiasts to community organizations—to take part in building their own Growrooms.
The process involves downloading the design files, which provide all the specifications and blueprints needed to cut and assemble the wooden panels. The plans include clear, step-by-step instructions, making it possible for even novice builders to construct the garden with minimal experience. Unlike traditional IKEA furniture, The Growroom isn’t shipped as a flat-pack kit. Instead, users must source the materials themselves—specifically 17 sheets of plywood—and then either cut them at home (if they have the tools) or take them to a local workshop or fab lab.
The assembly of The Growroom involves simple tools such as rubber hammers and screws. Once completed, users are left with a stunning, multi-tiered spherical garden that can grow various plants. It’s an incredible example of how accessible and user-friendly urban farming can be.
For those interested in building their own Growroom, the full open-source plans are available online. You can find them here: The Growroom Plans on GitHub.
A Global Movement Toward Sustainability
Since the release of these plans, The Growroom has gained significant attention worldwide. Communities from places like Rio de Janeiro, Taipei, and San Francisco have embraced the concept, building their own versions of the spherical garden. The Growroom is not just a DIY project—it's become a catalyst for local food production, sustainability, and community collaboration.
In addition to individual gardeners, local organizations and educational institutions have also begun building Growrooms, recognizing the value of teaching students and communities about sustainability, food production, and environmental stewardship. The potential impact of The Growroom extends far beyond the individual. By turning empty plots of land, community spaces, and even rooftops into lush green areas, this project has the power to transform urban environments into more sustainable, self-sufficient ecosystems.
The Future of Urban Farming: Redefining Food Production
The release of The Growroom’s open-source plans is just one step in a larger vision for sustainable urban living. As urbanization accelerates, the need for innovative, localized food production solutions grows. The Growroom is part of a movement to decentralize food production and reduce the carbon footprint associated with food transportation.
This trend could fundamentally shift how cities approach food security. With the ability to build these self-sustaining gardens, urban populations can reduce their reliance on industrial farming systems and mitigate some of the environmental impacts associated with mass food production. The Growroom represents a sustainable alternative, one that prioritizes local and accessible food sources, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.
The idea of transforming urban areas into places where local food production is not only possible but practical is a powerful vision. IKEA’s efforts to make this vision accessible through open-source plans is a testament to how small, community-driven initiatives can contribute to solving larger global challenges.
How You Can Get Started
If you’re excited about bringing The Growroom to your community or backyard, you’re in luck! Building your own spherical garden is entirely feasible with the right tools and guidance. The full plans are available for download on GitHub, where you’ll find everything you need, including step-by-step instructions, technical drawings, and tips for assembly.
You’ll need:
Materials: 17 sheets of plywood, rubber hammers, screws, and basic woodworking tools.
Tools: A CNC milling machine (or access to a local fab lab for cutting).
Time: A few hours to cut and assemble.
Once your Growroom is complete, you’ll have a sustainable garden ready to produce fresh herbs, vegetables, and even fruits, all while contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.
Conclusion
IKEA’s open-source Growroom is more than just a project; it’s a movement. By empowering individuals and communities to take control of their food production, IKEA and SPACE10 are paving the way for a future where cities are not just centers of consumption, but hubs of sustainability.
With simple tools, a bit of effort, and a shared commitment to sustainability, anyone can join the global movement toward greener, more self-sufficient cities. Together, we can turn our urban spaces into thriving ecosystems that not only produce food but also foster a sense of community and environmental stewardship.
Sources:
IKEA Lab Releases Open-Source Plans for DIY Spherical Garden - ArchDaily: https://www.archdaily.com/805835/ikea-lab-releases-open-source-plans-for-diy-spherical-garden-space10
The Growroom: Food-Producing Architecture - SPACE10: https://space10.com/projects/the-growroom
The Growroom on GitHub - https://github.com/space10-community/the-growroom
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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