The IGA Duchemin Urban Rooftop Farm in Ville Saint-Laurent, QC, is an innovative project that transforms the roof of a grocery store into a productive urban farm. Designed by La Ligne Verte and supported by SOPRANATURE by Soprema, this farm produces more than 30 types of vegetables, cut flowers and honey from eight hives, significantly impacting the local food supply and sustainability.
Team members:
- Green roof designer, installer and farmer: La Ligne Verte: Green roofs
- Building and initial extensive green roof Architect: NEUF Architects
- Owner: IGA Marché Duchemin et Frères inc.
- Green roof system Supplier: SOPRANATURE by Soprema
Project Highlights:
- The rooftop farm produces more than 30 types of vegetables, including kale, lettuce, carrots, green beans, eggplant, garlic, tomatoes and spinach.
- The farm includes a cut flower production activity and eight beehives, which produced 500 jars of honey in 2021.
- Annually, the farm sells between 35,000 and 40,000 units of vegetables and flowers, totaling approximately 7.2 tons of products, including 1.3 tons of leafy greens.
- The farm employs three full-time farmers, six interns and more than ten volunteer workers each summer.
Sustainability and Community Impact:
- The farm provides a local source of fresh, organic produce, reducing the ecological and economic impacts of long-distance transportation.
- The rooftop farm contributes to urban greening strategies, improving lifestyle and well-being by integrating green infrastructure into the building.
- The farm’s unique conditions allow for early planting and harvesting, with garlic harvested almost a month earlier than other Quebec farms.
- The building incorporates a set of inverted roof and SOPRANATURE green roof system, providing insulation and protecting the waterproofing.
Innovations:
- The farm uses an irrigation system based partially on recovering water from the store’s air conditioning system, which improves stormwater management and reduces potable water use.
- The growing medium, developed over four years, is Ecocert certified and contains approximately 35% organic matter, supporting organic vegetable production.
Expansion and Events
- The rooftop farm has been expanded by an additional 5,000 square feet to the existing 25,000 square feet.
- Dinners and brunches are organized on the rooftop, with dishes made with fresh products from the farm.
Recognition:
- The project has gained significant media attention and has been published internationally.
- The store is LEED Gold certified, one of the highest standards for green buildings.
h/t: Living Architecture
