Aquapini and Walipini Open Source Hub

CONSULTANTS ON THESE OPEN SOURCE DESIGNS

Avery Ellis: Aquaponics Specialist and owner/operator of Integrated Aquaponics
Bear Stauss: Horticulturalist and Landscape Design/Recreation Area Management Specialist
Bupesh Seethala: Architectural Drafter & Designer, BS Electrical Engineering (BupeshSeethala.com)
Charles McLean: Architecture & Urban Agriculture Designer, Professor, and owner of OM Greengroup
David Sweet: Architect (DSweet.biz)
Daniela Andrea Parada: Civil Engineering Student
Diana Gomez: Mechanical Engineer
Douglas Simms Stenhouse: Architect and Water Color Artist
Henry Vennard: Mechanical Engineer
Jiayu Liang: Landscape Designer
Kim Braman: Apiary and Beekeeping Expert
Mohammad Almuzaial: Civil and Construction Engineer
Ron Payne: HVAC / Thermal Designer, Mechanical Engineer
Zdenek Jurik: P.E. Structural, Civil and Mechanical Engineer and founder of ABC Engineering

WALIPINI, AQUAPINI & ZENAPINI
OPEN SOURCE PORTAL AND DIRECTORY

We are starting by researching, developing, and open source and free-shared project-launch blueprinting three different sustainable food production systems: 3 separate maximally-affordable walipini greenhouses, a large-scale food production aquapini, and 2 different “backyard version” zenapini designs. As we build them, solve problems, and evolve each of them for One Community (and with others around the world) we will use this page as the portal to all the open source and free-shared project-launch blueprinting details needed for duplication of these systems including:

		What we’re working on now
		What to grow and how
		Construction Plans and Documents
		Detailed materials list and cost analysis for all components
		Do-it-yourself multi-media resource and information hub
		How to work with local government if permitting is needed
		Detailed tools and equipment list, best place to buy, and cost analysis for all components
		Detailed build-time investment needs for each component based on our building experience
		How to install and utilize water catchment for each structure and the complete food infrastructure
		How to make your build easier than ours and how to solve any problems we encountered in our build
		Complete and on-going maintenance and upkeep details per our experience with all village components
		Archive and database of others building similar structures including their experiences, adaptations, etc.
		List of everyone who helped us design and build this so they can be contacted to help with modifications
		All of the above for all 7 open source complete sustainable-housing village designs
		All of the above for complete renewable energy infrastructure to power these structures

WALIPINI, AQUAPINI & ZENAPINI
DESIGN DETAILS

This section contains the following details related to the design of the walipini, aquapini, and zenapini:

• Design Summary
• Inside Details
• Location & Orientation
• Structural Details
• Water
• Berms and Swales
• Venting Network
• Ancillary Benefits

DESIGN SUMMARY

Our design consists of six structures that provide six different unique internal growing environments.

Six Unique Indoor Growing Structures – Click for the open source of the spreadsheet

These growing structures will be built in the following order: Aquapini, Walipini 3, Walipini 2, Walipini 1, Zenapini 1, and Zenapini 2. A top view of the overall plan is shown in the image below, along with a video of the overall space and the internal environment for the updated large-scale Aquapini. The internal details for the rest can be seen in the floor plan examples with complete planting plans.

Overhead View Of The Site Layout

video coming…http://www.dropbox.com/s/g64wcum3d690f2m/FINAL%20Aquapini%20%26%20Walipini%20Video%20Walkthrough.mp4?dl=0

Here are the most current Walipini, Aquapini, and Zenapini download files.

INSIDE DETAILS

The inside of the structures have terraced growing spaces and a water storage pond. The total planted area of the 3 walipinis, 1 aquapini, and 2 zenapinis totals 10,622 square feet.

The Breakdown of the Planted Areas for Each Greenhouse – Click for the Open Source of the Spreadsheet

The purpose of the terraces is to maximize growing space in the South region of each structure by providing the ideal slope for maximum sunlight penetration and utilization. The slope is based on the sun study for our location and the sun angle on December 21st, when the sun’s path is lowest on the horizon. The terrace walls measure one foot in width. Furthermore, the curvatures of the terrace provide better sunlight penetration and less shadows during the mornings and evenings. To build this design, earthbags filled with stabilized earth mix were selected as they are easy to work with. Although this project can also be completed with cinder blocks, the approach would make the needed curvatures harder to create.

To make construction as easy as possible, the foundational dimensions of all the structures are identical and can be seen in these images. Additional details on each structure is given in the subsections below.

Walipini, Aquapini, and Zenapini Floor, Wall, and Roof Details ” Click to Enlarge

Walipini, Aquapini, and Zenapini Terrace Details ” Click to Enlarge

WALIPINI GREENHOUSES 1, 2, and 3

We will build 3 walipinis as traditional soil growing areas. The purpose of the walipini greenhouses is to provide research and development comparisons with the aquapini and zenapinis. We will open source project-launch blueprinting this maximally affordable, duplicable, and easy to maintain year-round food production option that also houses trees.

WALIPINI #1

Walipini #1 is a Frost-free Arid Zone Desert House providing over 1,800 square feet (167 sq meters) of growing space. The temperature range will be maintained between 60-100 F (16-38 C) with humidity ranging between 50-90%. The plantings in Walipini #1 will be in support of our botanical garden model and based on species from the world’s tropical deserts including (and centered around) specimens of the endangered species Cordeauxia edulis, the yeheb nut.

Detailed Overhead View Of The Walipini 1 – Frost-free Arid Zone Desert House – Click Image to Enlarge and See Planting Plan Details (Values in Image Represent an Appointed Plant Type)

WALIPINI #2

Walipini #2 will be the Borderline Subtropical House also providing over 1,800 square feet (167 sq meters) of growing space. It will maintain cool subtropical and temperate off-season production of plants that will enjoy its temperature and humidity ranges of 32-90 degrees F (0-32 C) and 30-50%, respectively. This house will host many of the types of crops that we will also grow outdoors, including pomegranate, loquat, figs, pineapple guava, olives, grapes, peaches, and apricots.

Detailed Overhead And Rendered Side Views Of The Walipini 2 – Borderline Subtropical House – Click Image to Enlarge and See Planting Plan Details (Values in Image Represent an Appointed Plant Type)

Here’s a 2-minutes video of these conditions already being met successfully with a passive greenhouse in Nebraska:

Here’s another walipini example from Colorado. It includes a few other sustainable heating options too:

WALIPINI #3

Walipini #3 will be the Tropical House providing over 2,900 square feet (269 sq meters) of growing space. This structure is the same size and similar internal environment (60-90 degrees F (16-32 C) and 60-90% humidity) as the large-scale production aquapini. Walipini #3 however, does not incorporate any aquaculture. Walipini 3 demonstrates a year-round affordable walipini in-ground growing food production system incorporating a diversity of trees and other tropical plants.

Detailed Overhead And Rendered Side Views Of The Walipini 3 – Borderline Subtropical House – Click Image to Enlarge and See Planting Plan Details (Values in Image Represent an Appointed Plant Type)

 

LARGE-SCALE PRODUCTION AQUAPINI

The large-scale production aquapini is a “tropical house,” growing a mix of perennial and annual crops in over 1,900 square feet (177 sq meters) of growing space. Our goal is to demonstrate maximum food production combined with unique biodiversity as part of our botanical garden model. This growing space will maintain an internal temperature range of 60-90 degrees F (16-32 C) and a humidity of 50-80%. The Aquapini produces many foods that cannot be purchased in most grocery stores. It has been designed to maximize the efficient utilization of every possible cubic foot of space, lumen of light, and BTU of heat. Such factors as workflow and ergonomics, light and shade requirements, pollination needs, etc. were carefully considered with the intent to incorporate these elements into a synergistic and harmonious whole. There is also a small recreational space built into the design.

We will post complete and open source Sketchup, and CAD file downloads here for anyone to use and modify as soon as they are complete. Click Here for where we are in the process of completing these files. Click Here to see how you can help us complete them faster.

Detailed Overhead And Rendered Side Views Of The Aquapini – Tropical House – Click Image to Enlarge and See Planting Plan Details (Values in Image Represent an Appointed Plant Type)

ZEN AQUAPINIS (ZENAPINI 1 & 2)

Each of these houses will provide over 1,400 square feet (130 sq meters) of growing space and are designed to demonstrate maximum food diversity and beautiful places to relax. They will be the last of the Phase II food structures to be completed. Our goal with both of these structures is to:

• Produce a maximum diversity of food and plant life and beauty
• Function as educational structures as part of our botanical garden model
• Inspire people with designs they can and will want to build in their backyard

Just one of these zenapini structures produces a volume and diversity of food sufficient for a large family, their friends, and several additional families while also creating an aesthetically pleasing place to go and sit “in nature” even when it’s cold and uncomfortable outside. We are also building these with the long-term intent to demonstrate that we can convert them into walipini permaculture environments once the higher production levels of the aquaponics are no longer needed due to permaculture and the other sustainable food production facilities incorporated into each of the 7 different village models.

ZENAPINI #1

Zenapini #1 will be an education food production Cloud Forest House. The cloud forest environment is characterized by an ecosystem of high humidity (50-80%) and cooler temperatures than tropical regions (55-80 degrees F (13-27 C)) and is generally frost free. As an educational structure and part of our botanical garden model, this house will feature unusual food plants, medicinal plants, species with unusual life cycles, reproduction biology, industrial uses, or other economic applications.

Detailed Overhead And Rendered Side Views Of The Zenapini 1 – Cloud Forest House – Click Image to Enlarge and See Planting Plan Details (Values in Image Represent an Appointed Plant Type)

Zenapini #2 will be planted as a Tropical Moist House hosting a highly diverse range of tropical plants. It will be maintained between 60-90 degrees F (16-32 C) and with 50-90% humidity. Food diversity is being prioritized over food production for this house and it will also host a variety of non-edible rare and useful plants. This structure will be an important component of One Community’s educational infrastructure where people can gain direct experience with some of nature’s plant wonders.

The water needs are satisfied by way of swales, rainwater catchment, and an off-site, naturally replenishing storage pond. Swales are sunken or depressed sections of land intended to slow and/or channel rainwater runoff to increase water penetration. There are 6 water-collecting swales in total. Each swale is located at the base of the terraced berms on the side of the structures that do not have glazed walls. The swales of the shorter structures measure 80′ x 3′ and the 2 for the longer structures measure 100′ x 3′. These have drains that feed water to the central storage pond. These swales are for catchment and permeation during large rain events that could cause runoff from the terraces.

Our site receives 12 inches of annual precipitation and if all the rainwater could be captured, the following rule of thumb applies: 1 gallon of water is collected per ft2 for every inch of rain. Rainwater collection is not 100% efficient though. Different surfaces have different collection potentials, like grass only captures 22% because most of the rainwater infiltrates into the ground before it runs off into the rainwater collection storage areas. Even a pond only has 90% collection efficiency because of splashing, and evaporation losses. Information about the rainwater collection surfaces and annual precipitation were used to determine that 4,512 ft3 (33,752 gallons) of rainwater can be harvested per month. Given the monthly water needs of over 32,000 ft3, the rainwater alone does not meet estimated, albeit high, watering requirements. Multiple water conservation measures will be implemented, such as hugelkultur and other methods to reduce the estimated water needs as much as possible.

There was an attempt made to design a central pond that held a 6-month supply, namely 150,526 ft3 (1,126,013 gallons), but it was determined that the volume of water needed was too large. Once we realized we’d need to have an external pond for our water needs, the central pond was redesigned for easy roadway access around it and with a smaller diameter to be more easily covered so it can be used as a stage for music and other presentations.

The property has a natural pond southwest and adjacent to the proposed walipini, aquapini, zenapini location. The plan is to dam this external storage pond better and increase its volume with swales and other harvesting methods. The existing natural pond has a capacity of 54,373 ft3 and will be expanded to a capacity equivalent to 150,000 ft3 to maintain a 6-month supply. The external pond will be replenished by way of the dam or fed from a well.

The primary purpose of the central pond is to function as a distribution water storage for irrigation. The swales and rainwater gravity feed to this central pond. Paved areas have a slope of 2% towards the central pond, therefore allowing the water to drain. The structures are created with slanted roofs and designed with a change in elevation of 2 feet for every 12 feet so as to direct the water on to the paved areas and then to the central pond. Overflow water from the central pond gravity feeds to an external natural pond outside the Walipini, Aquapini, and Zenapini footprint. A pump in the external natural pond will be used to refill the central pond, if needed.

The central pond has a diameter of 24 feet 8 inches and a depth of 8 feet. Harvested rainwater from surrounding structures and runoff from pavement all supply the central pond. Depending on the structure, it is located anywhere from 38-55 feet away from the door of each structure. The maximum water level is 11 inches below the surface of the concrete perimeter. The depth of the central pond was made shallow just in case digging any deeper is not viable. In reality, the pond will be dug as deep as possible to maximize water storage capacity. With a depth of 8 feet, the central pond capacity is designed to hold 3,385 ft3 of water.

In order to support Walipinis, Aquapinis, and Zenapinis needs, a month’s storage of 25,088 ft3 is required, therefore requiring a capacity for 150,529 ft3 of water over a span of 6 months. Water from the existing natural pond can be pumped to the central pond in order to maintain the desired water level. Furthermore, when necessary, the central pond will gravity-overflow to the existing pond.

The water circulation within the indoor growing structures uses a siphon system. This system places the inflow and outflow of the piping at different heights and gravity pulls the water in the downhill direction. The siphon system therefore minimizes energy usage and operational costs. Water flow within all structures with a pond is maintained by one pump. Water gravity feeds from the pond through a drip feeder along the back of the structure. That drip feeder waters the media beds beneath it and drips into a pond below that gravity feeds through the series of all the smaller ponds and is then pumped back into the main pond. Water storage ponds within the greenhouses are an aesthetic feature that also function as a thermal mass to help regulate the temperature within the structures. They provide humidity and house fish that help fertilize the water for the plants that grow in the ponds and media beds. Running water through the media beds feeds the plants there and cleans the water for the fish. The water storage ponds also provide a portion of irrigation to the planted areas within the aquapini and zenapinis. The following images show the water flow of the aquapini/zenapini structure, as well as dimensions of each water retention pond:

Water Flow within Aquapinis and Zenapinis

Ponds Supplying Water to Drip Feeders that Water the Media Beds

Starting point: Ponds supplying water to drip feeders that water the media beds. The smaller, lower pond has a pump that pumps water into the larger pond, where the system uses gravity to water the system and is high enough that the percolated water and overflow water gravity feed back to the smaller pond with the pump.

Pond for water percolated through media bed and overflow from supply pond, as well as 1st pond as the water makes its way back to supply pond

2nd pond as the recirculation watering system makes its way back to supply pond

3rd and final pond as the recirculation watering system makes its way back to supply pond

BERMS AND SWALES

In addition to having sunken indoor growing spaces, berms are used on the north end of the structures, as well as the short outer side. Berms are utilized to capitalize on the insulating properties of soil, which are pretty average when not below the frostline. With this in mind, studies* were then done to determine if the sun we’d get from leaving parts of the East and West transparent would be better than covering these areas with berms. Berms proved to be better than the added sun and the video below shows our studies to demonstrate this:

* Please note that the calculations in the (older design) video above, in all cases except the complete glazed roof, are taking into account a hatch system we were designing that would allow us to insulate the entire structure at night. The complete glazed roof does not include this because it would not be possible with that design. Even though our design is now different from the one shown in this video, the analysis demonstrating the benefits of berms vs. no-berms on the East and West walls are still valid.

Berms are mounds of soil that vary in height and angle depending on its use and design. There was greater benefit to insulate the non-south facing walls with earth using the material that was dug to have sunken indoor growing areas then to have the walls made of material that the sun can penetrate and therefore theoretically warm. The heat gain is greater with berms as compared to large or small windows that would have allowed thermal energy in directly from the sun. This is especially true in northern regions because they don’t get enough sun to make a greenhouse with all glass or light-penetrating walls worthwhile. For these reasons, the north and short outer walls are bermed and the south wall is glass. The east wall is partially bermed and serves as the entrance. The berms help to regulate the temperature and create a more constant inside temperature that is not as dependent on season.

The berms also slow water runoff, and direct it. Berm angles typically range between 25° – 35°. However, the berm angle chosen for our design is 23° because of our soil type (sandy loam) and we plan to create terraces since we may be working with sandy soil. This smaller angle was selected based on the angle of repose of sandy loam. The angle of repose defines the greatest inclined angle between the material and the horizontal plane without the soil sliding or slumping. A smaller angle is preferable in many cases, because it provides exceptional flow properties, also known as the material’s mechanical properties. These qualities are dependent on parameters such as moisture, temperature, and particle size. The less terraces, the better, since terraces require retaining walls, which we plan to make using earthbags. Each terrace is sloped towards the greenhouse walls at a 1 to 2 degree angle.

VENTING NETWORK

There are empty pipes leading from each structure that function as cooling-vents for the structures. These pipes draw cool air off of the Central Pond in order to ventilate the structures during warm weather seasons. The negative internal pressure needed to create the “pull” for this air is created by vents that will open at the tops of the structures anytime the temperature in the structures gets too high. As outdoor temperatures rise, so will the temperatures indoors and in order to reduce energy of ventilating six large structures, the cooling vent pipes provide a sustainable alternative.

This venting system utilizes 8-1/8 inch diameter pipes. The lengths of the pipes vary depending on the location of the structure and its proximity to the central pond, as well as elevation change of the site. The pipe lengths provided below do not take into account changes in elevation (which for our design is 6-1/2 feet at the most):

• Pipes leading to Walipini 1 and 2 are 78 linear feet.
• Pipe leading to the Walipini 3, Large-scale Production Aquapini are 40 linear feet, because it is closest to the pond.
• Pipes leading to the Zenapini 1 and 2 are 53 linear feet.

These pipes can be used for water too, because they slope downward to the central pond. Their main function though is to draw cool and moist air off the pond and into the structures.

ANCILLARY BENEFITS

SEATING AREAS

The top of the pond includes a design feature which allows it to be covered and used as a presentation stage. Seating is placed around the central pond in order to provide a location to host events. The design includes 4 rows of seating, having a level designated for ADA seating. The elevation of each level is a 6″ difference to provide easy viewing from each row behind another. All together the seating area accommodates 95 individuals. The ADA row provides spacing for 17 wheelchairs or an additional 78 persons. Therefore, the total seating capacity in this area is around 170 people. The surrounding paved and landscaped areas provide standing room and additional seating for hundreds more.

Central Pond that can be converted to a stage. Steps provide comfortable seats.

CIRCULATION

The pathway circulation (i.e. flow patterns of people) of the site allows proper ADA access to the central seating area around the pond and the structures. Each ADA access point is 4′ wide with a change in elevation of 1 foot per 12 feet, creating an 8% slope. To establish proper service truck access, entrances are designed at 10′ wide along with a circulation path 16′ wide around the central pond.

RECREATION AREAS

The site includes 4 recreational areas. They are situated North-east, North-west, South-east, and South-west of the layout. These recreational and relaxation areas are purposed to encourage outdoor activities for children and adults. The design consists of 4 areas leveled 6′ above the structures’ finish grade.

PREVIOUS DESIGN RESEARCH

CURRENT ROOF DESIGN RESEARCH

MORE SUNLIGHT STUDIES ” CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Seasonal Direct Sunlight ” Annual Direct Sunlight ” Direct & Indirect Light

Here is a skylight study we did for these designs. It was to test the difference between flush skylights, horizontal skylights, 50% versus 100% solar penetration, and the addition of reflective surfaces versus non-reflective surfaces. The results show that flush skylights combined with 100% solar penetration and the addition of reflective surfaces will maximize sunlight in these structures and increase this sunlight where we will need it most: against the North wall. The skylights in this video are placed 8′ from the North wall (shown) and (for easier viewing of the anelemma) the wall is only 5′ high, placing the ground at grade versus 6.5′ below grade as it will be in the walipinis and aquapinis.

RESOURCES

• Pinterest walipini board
• Walipini construction pdf from the Benson Institute
• Walipini wiki
• Suggest an addition to this section by clicking here
• Carter, W. T. Color Analysis of Soils WITH Spectrophotometer. 1 Jan. 1931, acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2136/sssaj1931.036159950B1220010027x.

SUMMARY

One Community’s Phase II food infrastructure consists of 6 different indoor growing structures that we are open source project-launch blueprinting. There are three primary designs: Large-scale Production Aquapini, Aesthetic and Diversity Focused Zen Aquapini, and the Maximally-affordable Walipini Greenhouse Design. Each of the 6 structures will provide a different internal environment and grow a different variety of food. The structures will be the Large-scale Production Tropical Aquapini, Zen Aquapini #1: Cloud Forest House, Zen Aquapini #2: Tropical Moist House, Walipini #1: Frost-free Arid Zone Desert House, Walipini #2: Borderline Subtropical House, and the Walipini #3: Tropical House. These 6 structures will be a part of our botanical garden model and will produce a diversity of delicious and nutritious food far beyond anything found in a typical grocery store.