What are some of the new trends in the greenhouse and horticultural industries?
In recent years, we've seen greenhouses built as extensions to more homes, schools, museums, botanical gardens and city community centers than ever before. In cities, rooftop and patio greenhouses allow growers to utilize vertical space and implement conservation methods such as hydroponic growing. Schools are using hands-on gardening to teach scientific processes, create awareness of our food sources and foster children's natural curiosity. Greenhouses are being used as focal points for landscapes, bridging the gap between indoor and outdoor spaces. Newer manufacturing technologies have made greenhouses more affordable to those on a budget, and considerably lowered the cost of high-end commercial and luxury residential greenhouses, bringing the trend of using greenhouses as custom art pieces to everyone.

 
What factors have contributed to these rising trends?
In today's technology-driven world, we're not as connected to nature as we once were. Numerous studies have shown that being outdoors has substantial physical and mental health benefits. Greenhouses allow busy, working people the opportunity to bring the outdoors in. Greenhouses have become the nucleus of community gathering places: a space to garden, grow food, or just relax helps counter some of the negative social aspects of our fast-paced lives. Gardening allows enthusiasts to quite literally see the fruits of their labors. A greenhouse gives year-round space for growing, trying new techniques and varieties, celebrating successes and learning from failures. Spend as little as the cost of seeds or outfit a greenhouse with automated growing systems-the choice is yours, from simple and modest, to showplaces of glass and decorative ironwork.

Has climate change contributed to the rising popularity of greenhouses?
Areas around the world struggle with extreme weather patterns that have been detrimental to people who depend on crops for food and income. Innovative greenhouses allow growers to adapt to these extremes. Commercial greenhouses were once extremely expensive. Now they are available at every price point. We are beginning to see the effects on oxygen levels due to climate change. Growing plants year-round helps to replenish what we all depend on for survival.

What considerations should growers, architects and community planners take into account before choosing a greenhouse?
Most importantly, determine how your greenhouse will be used day to day. Does your structure need to accommodate a large number of people or a lot of growing space? Will it also be a social area? Do you plan to expand later? Will you need automatic light control, watering, or climate control, or do you plan to manage these manually? Once you have an idea of usage, you can then narrow down options.

With greenhouses growing in popularity, how does Gothic Arch stand out amongst the numerous greenhouse businesses that have come about?
Family-owned and operated for over 70 years, our expertise as manufacturers and distributers come from hands-on, long-term experience. We aren't a "big box" store with call centers and answering services. We're dedicated to providing personal, one-on-one service. Our team consists of specialists to help backyard hobbyists to commercial farmers find the ideal greenhouse. We help navigate international building codes, provide engineered drawings, design luxury structures or work within budgetary constraints: with you every step of the way.