20 Jun Why not build a greenhouse adjacent to the house?
In the post-pandemic context, food autonomy is gaining interest among Quebec households. A greenhouse adjacent to the house offers several advantages by raising the quality of life of its occupants. This installation has several functions: productive in terms of food by providing healthy and ecological foods daily; educational on the notions of gardening for young and old; unifying by uniting the members of the family around a shared and collaborative project; and extensive in terms of extending the habitable living space of the house!
This versatile growing space can also combine a veranda offering a pleasant space for meals with family or friends, a living room for reading or chatting, and a sanctuary for contemplation or meditation. This microclimate, in terms of temperature and humidity, creates a unique atmosphere in both winter and summer.
A few parameters need verification before embarking on the construction of a greenhouse. It is required to verify municipal bylaws to ensure this construction is permitted and meets all municipal regulations. Ideally, the greenhouse should be located on the south side of the house to benefit from maximum hours of sunlight. The vegetation, deciduous trees in summer, and conifers must not create a shady area blocking the passage of light through the greenhouse. It may be wise to follow training from recognized organizations for designing and building this project or contact professionals specializing in ecological housing.
It can be a good idea to plan a greenhouse project adjacent to the house right from the start of a construction project to ensure that the essential elements are well-planned, including the foundations and preparation of the exterior wall to receive the structure. The La Grive project chose this strategy to introduce this element to the program right from the start of planning the construction project. Therefore, the greenhouse can be annexed as soon as the budget is available, thus spreading out the construction costs associated with this project over time while not putting the dream of having a greenhouse adjacent to the house on hold!