Sunroom (Greenhouse/Multi-purpose Dining/Creative/Workshop Room) ?

[nelsonic]

We are fortunate to have a decent amount of back garden space: 6m x 25m = 150m²:

Note: this image does not do it "justice", at present it is still very much a "building site"!

Our plan has always been to have a Greenhouse where we can grow seedlings of edible plants.

The question we recently asked ourselves is: can we make the Greenhouse a multi-purpose space?

https://www.google.com/search?q=greenhouse+dining+room&tbm=isch

.this, but with desks on wheels and a few sofas:
https://www.humphreymunson.co.uk/botanist-greenhouse-summer-rosewood-london/

Goal

Our goal is to make a room which has:

• Plenty of natural light ☀️ (both for the plants and people using the room)
• A wide variety of plants 🌻 (both edible and "companion" / decorative; clearly labeled of course!)
• Shelves where we can grow seedlings 🌱
• An expandable table where people can work, have a meeting or workshop. 💻
• Lockable to avoid theft of plants or other greenhouse equipment. 🔐
• Ventilated to ensure it does not over-heat.
  • We will be automating the ventilation at some point in the future. 🤖

Relevant reading:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allotment_(gardening)

Todo

• Draw the greenhouse model in Sketchup to share with our construction foreman
• Send 3D model to foreman to request advice and/or quote
• Request more quotes for:
  • Concrete
  • Steel structure
  • Glass: Structural Laminated Glass #228
• Get the work done!

[nelsonic]

@carolrmc this "What Type of Greenhouse Should You Build?" video is quite insightful:

https://youtu.be/FPjko9DDhcU

[Cleop]

@nelsonic - have you thought how you can ensure the greenhouse is still enjoyable in the winter/ colder temperatures? Will it be heated at all?

[nelsonic]

@Cleop good question!
We were not planning on connecting the greenhouse to the central heating.
But we were considering having fan heaters in the room which people can direct for localised heat.

Worth noting that the temperature in Braga has (historically) not gone below 5^o (Centigrade):
https://www.worldweatheronline.com/braga-weather-averages/braga/pt.aspx

it never freezes and the average temp on the coldest day is 9^o.
it won't be as cold as the "QuietSpace" warehouse was in the winter ...

My reasoning for using "space heaters" instead of plugging into the central heating is this:

• people will only use the room for certain times of the day e.g: 08:00 - 18:00. ☀️
  • we aren't expecting people to use the space at night ... 🌃
• localised heating is more energy efficient than trying to heat the whole room.
• we can use our solar energy (from roof panels) to power the local heaters on-demand.