Many public schools in urban Syria share a unified architectural typology with flat, accessible rooftops. These roofs represent an underused resource that can host lightweight, soilless farming systems.
ArduMai LAB proposes piloting rooftop greenhouses and vertical farms on selected school buildings, developed for educational and productive purposes. These systems would support hands-on learning for students, practical training for teachers, and small-scale food production for school communities.
Schools located near faculties of agricultural engineering or technical institutes are especially suitable, allowing collaboration between students, teachers, and academic advisors. Systems such as hydroponics, aquaponics, bag-based growing, and hybrid soilless methods could be tested both inside and outside protected greenhouse environments, across different seasons.
The project also opens a key research question: can organic or bio-based nutrient systems be developed for soilless cultivation, reducing reliance on imported chemical inputs? This research would involve engineers, agronomists, and academic experts in Syria, with potential collaboration from European research institutions.
