The designers say the greenhouse uses only a quarter of the water typical of traditional agriculture. The greenhouse, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, herbs and lettuce germinate in basaltic rock spun into a fiber-like matrix. Instead of soil, the greenhouse employs a mix of coconut husks and rice hulls.

The designers want to expand the idea to the city rooftops, particularly at schools, because kids need fresh vegetables and because the greenhouse makes a great science lab.