Review of structural and functional characteristics of greenhouses in European Union countries: Part I, Design requirements

The present work is an overview of the factors influencing the greenhouse d esign such as the climate, the local building regulations the indoor climat e requirements and the necessary functional characteristics. The variations with respect to these factors observed throughout most of the European Uni on countries are described in detail and their influence to the greenhouse design is critically investigated. Such an analysis of the main factors inf luencing the greenhouse design is considered necessary before the most comm on greenhouse types used in Europe are presented (Part II). This systematic review is expected to support the effort for developing a common design me thodology for greenhouses at European level. (C) 2000 Silsoe Research Insti tute.