Powerfarm and company vegetable garden in the Arbora Sustainable District

Context and objective

The Arbora sustainable neighborhood, located in Lausanne, embodies an ambitious vision of well-being and sustainability in the city. It aims to achieve not one, but three labels of excellence: Minergie-ECO for the energy performance and construction quality of its buildings; BiodiverCity for the integration of biodiversity and nature into landscaping; and WELL Community, a first in Switzerland. The latter emphasizes residents’ quality of life: clean air, access to quality drinking water, thermal and acoustic comfort, healthy food, and community vitality through collective spaces and local activities.

In keeping with this approach to integrated sustainability, building B09 had a previously unused roof terrace. Légumes Perchés was commissioned to transform this rooftop into a vibrant and useful space. Thanks to the installation of a Powerfarm, the terrace now houses a productive space with a dual purpose: locally producing fruits and vegetables for residents, while generating solar energy using vertical bifacial panels. The rooftop thus becomes a welcoming, ecological space, consistent with the neighborhood’s values.

The solution implemented

Légumes Perchés’ PowerFarm service offers an innovative and ecological solution combining urban food production and renewable energy. Through a turnkey installation, we transform unused rooftops into productive urban farms, equipped with vertical bifacial solar panels that maximize energy production while optimizing cultivable space. This unique combination allows us to generate fresh fruits and vegetables while producing green electricity, thus helping to reduce the buildings’ carbon footprint. This service includes the design, installation, management, and maintenance of the farm, as well as team-building and cohesion activities to raise awareness among local residents and employees about agriculture and renewable energy. PowerFarm is a concrete and innovative response to the current challenges of sustainability, food autonomy, and the energy transition in urban areas.