The IGA Duchemin Urban Rooftop Farm in Ville Saint-Laurent, QC, is an innovative project transforming a grocery store roof into a productive urban farm. Designed by La Ligne Verte and supported by SOPRANATURE by Soprema, this farm produces over 30 types of vegetables, cut flowers, and honey from eight beehives, significantly impacting local food supply and sustainability.
Team Members:
- Green Roof Designer, Installer & Farmer: La Ligne Verte: Toits verts
- Initial extensive green roof and building Architect: NEUF Architects
- Owner: IGA Marché Duchemin et Frères inc.
- Green Roof system Supplier: SOPRANATURE by Soprema
Project Highlights:
- The rooftop farm produces over 30 kinds of vegetables, including kale, lettuce, carrots, green beans, eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, and spinach.
- The farm includes a productive cut flower activity and eight beehives, which produced 500 jars of honey in 2021.
- Annually, the farm sells 35,000 to 40,000 units of vegetables and flowers, totaling approximately 7.2 tons of produce, including 1.3 tons of leafy greens.
- The farm employs three full-time farmers, six interns, and over 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 freight.
- 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, such as garlic harvested nearly a month earlier than other farms in Québec.
- The building incorporates an inverted roofing assembly and SOPRANATURE green roof system, providing insulation and protecting the waterproofing.
Innovations:
- The farm uses an irrigation system partially based on water recovery from the store’s air conditioning system, enhancing stormwater management and reducing potable water use.
- The growing media, developed over four years, is certified Ecocert and contains approximately 35% organic matter, supporting organic vegetable production.
Expansion and Events
- The rooftop farm has expanded by an additional 5,000 square feet to the existing 25,000 square feet.
- Rooftop dinners and brunches are organized, featuring dishes made with fresh produce 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
