YURAN – Aquapini and Walipini Open Source Hub

As part of One Community’s four-phase strategy and global change methodology, our Phase II food infrastructure is an open source project-launch blueprinting of 6 structures that will represent 3 different aquapini and walipini designs. These 6 structures will be a part of our botanical garden model and will produce a diversity of delicious and nutritious food far beyond anything found in a typical grocery store. This open source hub includes the following sections:

• Related Pages
  
• What We’ll grow (click for complete page)
• What is an Aquapini & Walipini 
  
• Why Build Aquapinis & Walipinis
• Ways to Contribute to these Designs
• Consultants on these Designs and Systems
• Aquapini & Walipini Open Source Directory (Collaborative resource and information hub)
• Additional Aquapini and Walipini Details (and photos)
  • Design Dimensions Shared by All Structures
  • Large-scale Production Tropical Aquapini Elements and Plans
  • Maximally-affordable Walipini Greenhouse Design Elements  and Plans
  • Aesthetic and Diversity-focused Zen Aquapini Design Elements and Plans
• Resources
• Summary
• FAQ

NOTE: THESE DESIGNS STILL NEED WORK. THIS PAGE IS NOT CONSIDERED BY US TO BE
A COMPLETE AND USABLE TUTORIAL UNTIL WE BUILD AND TEST THE AQUAPINI AND ADD
ALL THE RELATED VIDEOS AND EXPERIENCE FROM THAT BUILD TO THIS PAGE – IN THE MEANTIME, 
WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND FEEDBACK AND INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE TEAM AND HELP
FINISH THE DESIGNS IF OPEN SOURCE AQUAPINI DESIGN IS SOMETHING YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

RELATED PAGES (Click icons for complete pages)

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO EVOLVING THIS SUSTAINABILITY COMPONENT WITH US

SUGGESTIONS     ●     CONSULTING     ●     MEMBERSHIP     ●     OTHER OPTIONS

CLICK HERE TO HELP US FINISH THE OPEN SOURCE DESIGNS FOR THESE STRUCTURES

WHAT IS AN AQUAPINI AND A WALIPINI?

A walipini is an in-ground food production structure. An aquapini is a walipini incorporating aquaponics. These structures are built into the ground because below the frost line the earth maintains a temperature of 55 degrees F/13 C. Building these structures sunk deep enough into the ground benefits from this and helps keep these structures both cool in the summer and warmer in the winter. They have additional benefits in that they require less building materials than a greenhouse, look better and maintain a lower physical profile, and are easier to service and repair since the roof begins at about ground level.

Complete Aquapini and Walipini Infrastructure Layout Evolving in CAD: Click to Enlarge

We will be building 3 walipini greenhouses and three aquapinis – 1 purposed for large-scale food production and the other two purposed for maximum food diversity and beauty. The designs we have created are purposed to maximize growing space, grow an unparalleled diversity of food, and provide a beautiful recreational space as well. Using a combination of a sloped South-terraced growing area, completely glazed South wall, and skylights supports this while maximizing needed sunlight in the winter and reducing excess sunlight (and heat) in the summer:

Complete Infrastructure Concept Render – Click to Enlarge

Some of the key features and intentions of the aquapini and walipini (Phase II) food infrastructure include:

• 6 structures
• Artistic designs
• Multi-functional
• ADA accessibility
• Support our own bee colony
• Central amphitheater space
• Water collection off of all structures
• 1 large-scale food production aquapini
• 3 maximally affordable walipinis purposed for trees
• 2 zen aquapinis purposed for diversity and aesthetic beauty
• Grow enough food for all of One Community and our visitors
• Provide system redundancy to guarantee sufficient food production
• Large storage area for tools and equipment between the 2 Zen Aquapinis
• Elimination of almost all retaining walls by replacing them with sloped areas
• Sufficient distance between all structures to avoid shading of other structures
• Easy foot travel (with small climb) from any point to any other point in or around the layout
• Central pond for water storage, aesthetic benefit, edible water plants, and wading/swimming
• Easy lateral expandability in support of our open source goals for adaptability to individual needs

DIFFERENT DESIGN EFFICIENCY RESEARCH

CURRENT ROOF DESIGN RESEARCH (CONTINUING TO EVOLVE)

MORE SUNLIGHT STUDIES – CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Seasonal Direct Sunlight – Annual Direct Sunlight – Direct & Indirect Light

Here is a skylight study we did for these designs. It was to test the difference between flush skylights, horizontal skylights, 50% versus 100% solar penetration, and the addition of reflective surfaces versus non-reflective surfaces. The results show that flush skylights combined 100% solar penetration and the addition of reflective surfaces will maximize sunlight in these structures and increase this sunlight where we will need it most: against the North wall. The skylights in this video are placed 8′ from the North wall (shown) and (for easier viewing of the anelemma) the wall is only 5′ high, placing the ground at grade versus 6.5′ below grade as it will be in the walipinis and aquapinis.

When we begin construction, our team is projected to be able to complete the large-scale production aquapini and walipini 3 (largest walipini) within 3-4 months with an average weekly team commitment of 200 hours per week to this task. Additionally, we can build the roof and walls of these structures and then focus our attention developing the insides during the winter months (if needed) when focusing primarily on the construction of the earthbag village or straw bale village would be limited.

CLICK IMAGES FOR COMPLETE PLANTING MAPS AND DETAILS

Large-scale Tropical Aquapini – Desert House – Borderline Subtropical House

Large-scale Tropical Walipini – Cloud Forest House – Tropical Moist House

Large-scale Aquapini Interior Render

Here is the Large-scale Aquapini Evolving in 3-D

WHY BUILD AQUAPINIS AND WALIPINIS?

We chose aquapinis and walipinis for our Phase II food production infrastructure because they are affordable to construct, easier than other models to control the internal temperature, can produce large volumes of year-round food, and because we feel they provide the maximum benefit to financial and labor investment ratio. This makes aquapini and walipini designs the best choice in support of our four-phase global transformation strategy and open source project-launch blueprinting goals. The complete layout of these structures (see enlargeable map above) is also ideal for water catchment and conservation, creates a central recreational space, and provides extremely efficient harvesting and food removal.

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO EVOLVING THIS SUSTAINABILITY COMPONENT WITH US

SUGGESTIONS     ●     CONSULTING     ●     MEMBERSHIP     ●     OTHER OPTIONS

We are starting by researching, developing, and open source and free-shared project-launch blueprinting three different sustainable food production systems: a large-scale food production aquapini, 2 different “backyard version” zen aquapini designs, and 3 separate maximally-affordable walipini greenhouses. As we build them, and problem solve and evolve each of them for One Community (and with others around the world) we will use this page as the portal to all the open source and free-shared project-launch blueprinting details needed for duplication of these systems including:

		What we’re working on now
		What to grow and how
		Construction Plans and Documents
		Detailed materials list and cost analysis for all components
		Do-it-yourself multi-media resource and information hub
		How to work with local government if permitting is needed
		Detailed tools and equipment list, best place to buy, and cost analysis for all components
		Detailed build-time investment needs for each component based on our building experience
		How to install and utilize water catchment for each structure and the complete food infrastructure
		How to make your build easier than ours and how to solve any problems we encountered in our build
		Complete and on-going maintenance and upkeep details per our experience with all village components
		Archive and database of others building similar structures including their experiences, adaptations, etc.
		List of everyone who helped us design and build this so they can be contacted to help with modifications
		All of the above for all 7 open source complete sustainable-housing village designs
		All of the above for complete renewable energy infrastructure to power these structures

 

ADDITIONAL AQUAPINI & WALIPINI
DETAILS

Click Image to Visit the Aquapini and Walipini Planting and Harvesting Details Page

In accordance with our botanical garden model and our for The Highest Good of All philosophy we will demonstrate what truly ethical and carefully planned land stewardship is capable of. The ultimate result of this will be sustainable production of unparalleled nutrition and diversity capable of providing enough volume and variety to feed all of One Community and our visitors. Even with traditional methods one person working full-time on food production can produce enough food to feed 30; with aquaponics that same person can produce enough food to feed 300. Our goal when arriving on the property is to immediately start large-scale gardening and building ultra-affordable, easy, and fast to construct hoop houses. We will build enough hoop houses and plant enough food to make ourselves about 70% food self-sufficient within 3-4 months. Combining this with raising goats, chickens, and rabbits will provide sufficient food to feed 100+ people by the end of the first year. Until we are successfully producing enough food to sustain ourselves, we will be buying it from local producers and suppliers with the goal of supporting sustainable and ethical practices.

Phase II food production will include building the walipini and aquaponics food farms that will provide even more food diversity and volume. Once we start building these structures, the first two are estimated to take no more than 6 months to build and test and another 2 months or so to be producing food. All six structures should be able to be completed within a year.

Additional details are discussed here with the following sections:

• Design Dimensions Shared by All Structures
• Large-scale Production Tropical Aquapini Elements and Plans
• Maximally-affordable Walipini Greenhouse Design Elements  and Plans
• Aesthetic and Diversity-focused Zen Aquapini Design Elements and Plans

 

DESIGN DIMENSIONS SHARED BY ALL STRUCTURES

To make construction as easy as possible, the foundational dimensions of all the structures are identical and can be seen in these images.

Aquapini and Walipini Floor, Wall, and Roof Details – Click to Enlarge

Aquapini and Walipini Terrace Details – Click to Enlarge

 

We will post complete and open source Sketchup, CAD, and 3DS Max file downloads here for anyone to use and modify as soon as they are complete. Click Here for where we are in the process of completing these files. Click Here to see how you can help us complete them faster.

WALIPINI GREENHOUSES 1, 2, and 3

We will be building 3 walipinis as traditional soil growing areas using the same roof and wall designs as the aquapinis. We will build Walipini 3 (the larges Walipini) first, then #2, then #1. The purpose of the walipini greenhouses will be to provide research and development comparisons with the aquapinis while open source project-launch blueprinting this maximally affordable, duplicable, and easy to maintain year-round food production option that also houses trees.

WALIPINI #1

Walipini #1 will be a Frost-free Arid Zone Desert House providing over 1,800 square feet (167 sq meters) of growing space.The temperature range will be maintained between 60-100 F (16-38 C) with humidity ranging between 50-90%. The plantings in Walipini #1 will be in support of our botanical garden model and based on species from the world’s tropical deserts including (and centered around) specimens of the endangered species Cordeauxia edulis, the yeheb nut. Walipini #1 will be completed after Walipini #2.

Walipini 1 Planting Map – Click for Planting and Harvesting Details

WALIPINI #2

Walipini #2 will be the Borderline Subtropical House also providing over 1,800 square feet (167 sq meters) of growing space. It will maintain cool subtropical and temperate off-season production of plants that will enjoy its temperature and humidity ranges of 32-90 degrees F (0-32 C) and 30-50% respectively. This house will host many of the types of crops that we will also be looking to grow outdoors including pomegranate, loquat, figs, pineapple guava, olives, grapes, peaches, apricots, etc. Walipini #2 will be completed after Walipini #3.

Walipini 2 Planting Map – Click for Planting and Harvesting Details

Here’s a 2-minutes video of these conditions already being met successfully with a passive greenhouse in Nebraska:

Here is a 20-minute more detailed version and a PDF download with additional details:

Here’s another walipini example from Colorado. It includes a few other sustainable heating options too:

WALIPINI #3

Walipini #3 will be the Tropical House providing over 2,900 square feet (269 sq meters) of growing space. This structure is the the same size and similar internal environment (60-90 degrees F/16-32 C & 60-90% humidity) as the large-scale production aquapini. Not incorporating any aquaculture, Walipini 3 is purposed to demonstrate a year-round affordable walipini in-ground-growing food production system incorporating a diversity of trees and other tropical plants. Walipini #3 will be completed after the Large-scale Aquapini.

Walipini 3 Planting Map – Click for Planting and Harvesting Details

We will post complete and open source Sketchup, CAD, and 3DS Max file downloads here for anyone to use and modify as soon as they are complete. Click Here for where we are in the process of completing these files. Click Here to see how you can help us complete them faster.

 

ZEN AQUAPINIS (ZENAPINI 1 & 2)

Each of these houses will provide over 1,400 square feet (130 sq meters) of growing space and are designed to demonstrate maximum food diversity and beautiful places to relax. They will be the last of the Phase II food structures to be completed. Our goal with both of these structures is to:

• Produce a maximum diversity of food and plant life and beauty
• Function as educational structures as part of our botanical garden model
• Inspire people with designs they can and will want to build in their backyard

Just one of these smaller aquapini structures is purposed to produce a volume and diversity of food sufficient for a large family, their friends, and several additional families while also creating an aesthetically pleasing place to go and sit “in nature” even when it’s cold and uncomfortable outside. We are also building these with the long-term intent to demonstrate that we can convert them into walipini permaculture environments once the higher production levels of the aquaponics are no longer needed due to permaculture and the other sustainable food production facilities incorporated into each of the 7 different village models.

ZENAPINI #1

Zenapini #1 will be an education food production Cloud Forest House. The cloud forest environment is characterized by an ecosystem of high humidity (50-80%) and cooler temperatures than tropical regions (55-80 degrees F/13-27 C) and is generally frost free. As an educational structure and part of our botanical garden model, this house will feature unusual food plants, medicinal plants, species with unusual life cycles, reproduction biology, industrial uses, or other economic applications.

Zenapini 1 – Click for Planting and Harvesting Details

Zenapini #2 will be planted as a Tropical Moist House hosting a highly diverse range of tropical plants. It will be maintained between 60-90 degrees F/16-32 C and with 50-90% humidity. Food diversity is being prioritized over food production for this house and it will also host a variety of non-edible rare and useful plants. This structure will be an important component of One Community’s educational infrastructure where people can gain direct experience with some of nature’s plant wonders.

Zenapini 2 – Click for Planting and Harvesting Details

Zen Aquapini External Concept Render

Zen Aquapini Conceptual Internal Render

We will post complete and open source Sketchup, CAD, and 3DS Max file downloads here for anyone to use and modify as soon as they are complete. Click Here for where we are in the process of completing these files. Click Here to see how you can help us complete them faster.

 

RESOURCES

• Pinterest walipini board
• Walipini construction pdf from the Benson Institute
• Walipini wiki
• Suggest an addition to this section by clicking here

 

SUMMARY

One Community’s Phase II food infrastructure consists of 6 different aquapini and walipini structures that we are open source project-launch blueprinting. There are three primary designs: Large-scale Production Aquapini, Aesthetic and Diversity Focused Zen Aquapini, and the Maximally-affordable Walipini Greenhouse Design. Each of the 6 structures will provide a different internal environment and grow a different variety of food. The structures will be the Large-scale Production Tropical Aquapini, Zen Aquapini #1: Cloud Forest House, Zen Aquapini #2: Tropical Moist House, Walipini #1: Frost-free Arid Zone Desert House, Walipini #2: Borderline Subtropical House, and the Walipini #3: Tropical House. These 6 structures will be a part of our botanical garden model and will produce a diversity of delicious and nutritious food far beyond anything found in a typical grocery store.

FREQUENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS

Q: Will you be getting permits for these structures?

Yes, all of our food structures will be permitted and we will be open source sharing the permitting process also.

Q: How much will these structures cost to build?

Please see our open source aquapini and walipini cost analysis page.

Q: How much food will these structures produce?

Please see our open source aquapini and walipini planting and harvesting page.

Q: What is One Community’s stance on pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides?

If it is not safe to eat, we will not be spraying it on our food.

Q: Is One Community going to be a vegetarian community?

The One Community team consists of vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores. In accordance with our philosophy for The Highest Good of All we are maintaining a non-idealogical approach to food choices. That said, also in accordance with this philosophy, we will only support and consume food items that are ethically and sustainably raised, managed, and produced. The consensus process will be used to decide the evolution of the One Community food plan.

Q: How do you intend to produce spices, mill grain for flour, produce cooking oil, etc. etc.

To us, “100% food sustainability” means we will demonstrate and open source share a model that doesn’t need external food sources. Having achieved this, what we produce internally versus choosing to buy will be decided through the consensus process.

Q: The aquapini and walipini structures are closed-loop systems, will you be supplementing them with CO₂ to improve plant growth? 

Based on the research we did, we believe that we should not be concerned about the CO₂ levels in our growing structures. The CO₂ generated by the decomposition of organic material within these structures, from the plants themselves at night, people working in and visiting the structures, and from outside when people enter and exit will be sufficient. Recent research also showed that excessive CO₂ can actually be detrimental to the nutritional value of plants. Intentional increases to 1500 ppm (for production increases of 30%) can be created by various means but this extra CO₂ decreases levels of key nutrients while also creating excess carbohydrate/sugar content. This results over the long run in plants becoming more like junk food than the nutritions foundations of a healthy diet they are meant to be.