Fluxxlab was featured in 319 Scholes Gallery’s Ecologias Correlativas Exhibition with works by Dan Baker, Ecosistema Urbano, Electronic Disturbance Theater 2.0/b.a.n.g. lab, Living Environments Lab, N55, Miguel Soares, Dr. Manos Tentzeris, Terreform ONE, Ricardo Miranda Zúñiga texts by Ignacio Nieto & Avinash Rajagopal.
On display was v3 of the Personal PowerPlant, developed with Mouna Andraos and Farrukh Zia.
Exhibition Invitation
Display of components and iterations of PPP project
Detail of components.
We began planting the Vertical Farm prototype at the New York City Parks Department on Randall’s Island with the assistance of Lee Mandell of Boswick Farms, an expert hydroponicist. We are very thankful to Artie Rollins at the Parks Department for assisting in making this project real!
We are installing for testing both a hydroponic and soil system for the farm unit. Currently, we are growing lettuce seedlings across the board to test which system will provide the best outcome for the plants. We are also looking into soil toxicity testing.
Prototype installed on the roof of the New York City Parks Department Building on Randall's Island. Lee is planting some of the seedlings into the system.
Shoveling soil mix into custom planter on unit. Notice that the space is sufficient to comfortably plant and move around within the prototype.
Lettuce seedlings planted into hydroponic system for testing.
Planter with soil system.
The water reservoir was leaking when first installed. We needed to reseal with silicon, and will replace the temporary trash bin reservoir when dry.
These are the seedlings in their growing incubator prior to planting into the system.
Lettuce seedlings in planting medium with surrounding baskets for the root structure. These baskets sit into openings in the hydroponic system
Here are a few images of the installed prototype of the vertical farm prototype at the New York City Parks Department on Randall’s Island. Additional planters and irrigation equipment will be added in the coming weeks. We will start planting and testing irrigation and soil toxicity soon.
Prototype unit installed on the roof of the Randall's Island NYCPR building
One of the planters added, with the test screen/acrylic panel for enclosure
We held a DIY workhshop for version 2.2 of the Personal PowerPlant at Eyebeam Art and Technology Center with our friend and collaborator Farrukh Zia. The Personal PowerPlant is a portable device that harnesses electricity through a hand crank generator and solar cell into a rechargeable battery for use in powering portable electronic devices through a USB terminal. The workshop began with an introduction to circuit basics and a group discussion on sustainable energy harvesting.
Image of the PPP v2.2 assembled and in action
Parts contained in the PPP v2.2 kit
Continuing construction of prototype for the Vertical Farm system…
Unit with screens (not in place)
Detail of screen panel for exterior, lexan panel behind
Detail of metal shelving support system for planters
Below are some images of the progress for the Vertical Farming prototype. This gives you a general sense of the scale of the unit. Planters and systems are yet to be made/implemented. We plan to test the unit during the winter months to see how the plants hold up and what is needed to make the system feasible during the cold season.
Getting a feeling for the scale of the unit
Detail of the flooring
We are working with the New York City Parks & Recreation to develop a prototype for our Vertical Farming system at the 5 Borough Administration Building. This project is under development, but here are a few images in the early stages of fabrication.
Sizing for frame - this is just the beginning...
We participated in the 01SJ Biennal in San Jose, CA - developing v3 of our Personal PowerPlant with Mouna Andraos and electrical engineering guru Farrukh Zia.
The Personal powerPlant is a portable device that harnesses electricity through a hand crank generator (with solar cell option) into a rechargeable battery for use in powering portable electronic devices through a USB terminal. The workshop began with an introduction to circuit basics and a group discussion on sustainable energy harvesting.
Below are some images from the event and continual efforts in testing and modifying the design. We will soon post an instructions for v3, and will keep on working toward the production of this kit! Stay tuned…
Putting together the kit of parts for the workshop
Putting together a demo version for the workshop
v3 of the Personal PowerPlant
Workshop participants putting together the PPP
We will be giving two workshops during the 2010 01SJ Biennal in San Jose, California with the Eyebeam Roadshow in September. Check our news section to sign up!
We are working on v3.0 of the personal powerPlant - this time we will be able to charge any USB device! It will also work with rechargeable AA NiMH batteries, which are easy to find. Below are some photos of the process: trying to get the circuit to work properly using new batteries, testing out different motors to get one that can output enough power…
Testing different motors...
Trying to test a "full wave" layout for the diodes
Up close with 6 wire motor and full wave configuration
Getting the batteries to charge an iTouch using a voltage regulator and resistors
This weekend we went to go see the 5 Borough Administration Building on Randall’s Island, which is a really spectacular place to learn about green roofs. They have over 17,000 SF of different green roof systems that they are experimenting with - they are also great because they post much of their experimentation and learning for public use. Below are some images from our field trip with a group of students we are working with for the Emerging Scholars program in the Architectural Technology department at New York City College of Technology.
Garden of seedums in tin planters, soil at differing depths.
Lightweight Gaia Soil
Mineral soil
Zero Floor planting system for seedums - thin, preseeded "blanket" that can be immediately installed
Green wall planter system
Planter system up close
Large composter
Cistern connected to harness rainwater for use toward watering plants
Many cisterns tied together to provide water for the large spread of green roofs
