http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on0XhdIfuEY

All the fruits and vegetables used by this Cuban/ Caribbean restaurant in Charlotte, NC will be grown in the rooftop greenhouse. Water roll-off from the building and greenhouse will be diverted into a cistern which will be accessed by a sprinkler system to meet the irrigation needs of the garden. A greywater solution could also augment this water supply.

During the warm months, the louvered roof of the greenhouse can be kept open for irrigation and air circulation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi4L0b5Y9zk&NR=1

During the cold months, the greenhouse acts as a layer of insulation for the restaurant. The thermal mass of the flagstone flooring will contribute to the passive heat gain. Heat from the restaurant could be vented into the greenhouse for supplemental heat on days without sun, or a radiant heat system could be installed underneath the flagstone.

Additional passive heating/cooling strategies include landscaping with deciduous trees along the west side of the building.

A geothermal system will supply additional heating and cooling needs of the building.

A rooftop solar panel tree provides supplementary electricity or from solar awnings - concept 2 -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oruL4VkZTeQ&feature=related

In the 2nd study, the rooftop greenhouse is replaced by a green roof with space to grow herbs and vegetables during the warm months.

Along with sliding glass walls, a glass sunroof opens completely exposing the east-southeast side of the restaurant to natural breezes and abundant sunlight.

Solar Panels are used to supply all of the electrical needs. With battery backup, the building could be totally off the grid. Without it, energy usage from the grid would only be needed during the non-sunlight hours.

Location