The cloche: Can we reimagine the traditional greenhouse?

While the gardening scene changed, the demands of the plants stayed the same: warm temperature and protection from strong rain. Since the Middle Ages, monks placed glass covers over their plants, a technology which today is widely adopted in the shape of giant greenhouses. Inspired by history, our project combines the original glass cloche with the flexibility a modern garden(er) demands.

The core of PANELA are four, trapezoid glass panels: All with a 40 cm wide base and a slimmer, 20 cm wide top, resulting into a pyramidical shape once combined. The cloche is assembled by placing all four panels in a square, a rubber top is then positioned upon the small feet at the upper side of the panels, holding them together. To keep the panels from slipping, four sticks are placed outside to provide support and the base of the panels can be moved outward allowing for additional ventilation between the corners.

Biological research inspired us to color the panels red and blue, therefore changing the lights wavelength and providing ideal growing conditions. Due to the fast disassembly of the glas-cover, the gardener has the possibility to quickly change the location of the object, adjust the colored panels to the plants needs and being able to store it during the cold winter months. The gardener is invited to „puzzle“ his greenhouse together, following his own ideas and preferences. Leaving one side open for ventilation or changing the color, the modular system adopts to every garden.

Cover Image by Curzio Castellan