Pomology Research Centre

Authors’ Comment

The diploma project proposes the development of a Pomology Research Centre in Miroslava, in the south-western area of Iași. The location is characterized by an existing orchard, sloping topography, and open views towards the city and the surrounding agricultural landscape. The choice of site is based on its direct relationship with fruit-growing activities.

The architectural concept focuses on integrating the building into the existing topography while preserving the character of the orchard. The volumes are positioned in relation to the contour lines to minimize the intervention’s impact on the landscape. The greenhouse represents the main architectural element of the project and appears in several forms: at ground level, on the roof, and as a transparent envelope surrounding the conference hall area.

The centre has a total area of approximately 3,000 m² and is designed to accommodate around 30 researchers at the same time, 15 of whom are permanent staff members. The functional organization clearly separates the circulation flows of visitors, students, and researchers. Public access leads to the exhibition area and atrium, which provide connections to the conference hall and to a greenhouse accessible to visitors. The educational area includes classrooms, laboratories, and changing facilities for students, while maintaining controlled connections to the research spaces.

The lower level accommodates the research laboratories and the scientific greenhouse intended specifically for researchers, connected to the greenhouses facing the orchard as well as to the rooftop greenhouse. The greenhouses are based on the Venlo greenhouse system, featuring a modular structure and glazed roofs designed to maximize natural daylight and provide effective microclimate control. Air circulation is achieved through ventilation openings positioned at roof level, allowing warm air to escape while fresh air enters the greenhouse, thereby supporting efficient natural ventilation.

The water management system is fully integrated into the operation of the greenhouses and into the centre’s overall sustainability strategy. Rainwater collected from the glazed surfaces and roofs is directed through drainage channels towards underground storage tanks. From there, the water is filtered and recirculated back into the greenhouses, where it is distributed through a specialized fine-mist spraying system. This system contributes both to plant irrigation and to the regulation of indoor humidity, reducing the consumption of potable water from the public supply network while making efficient use of the natural resources available on site.

The architectural expression is simple, rigorous, and contemporary. The main materials are exposed concrete in light grey and white tones, transparent glass, and rectangular metal profiles. The contrast between the solidity of the concrete and the transparency of the greenhouses reflects the relationship between the precision of scientific research and the living, dynamic character of vegetation. The interior spaces are bright and functional, while the extensive transparent surfaces maintain a strong visual connection with the orchard and the surrounding landscape.

Through its adaptation to the terrain, use of natural daylight and ventilation, collection and reuse of rainwater, and integration of Venlo greenhouses, the project proposes a centre in which research, education, and public engagement function together.