The Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex (CEARC) is an integrated teaching and research facility for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. This research facility includes 80,000 sq ft of research space supported by 49,000 sq ft of lab and headhouse facilities that develop transformative solutions to create greater food security through improvements in agricultural vitality, workflow and efficiencies. 

This new state-of-the-art facility provides a facility for interdisciplinary agricultural research while creating opportunities for teaching, events, tours, and outreach programs, increasing the visibility of OSU’s research associated with advanced food production methods. In so doing, the design celebrates both indoor and outdoor campus functions while showcasing its food production studies.

With this facility, interdisciplinary agricultural research is integrated with opportunities for experiential learning throughout both the large attached production greenhouse and the separate, affiliated research greenhouse. Back in the headhouse there are spaces for teaching, events, tours, and outreach programs that will increase the visibility of OSU’s research associated with advanced methods of food production.

Adaptability of research is built into the layout through the compartmentalization of both greenhouses. The key to providing an expansive range of research opportunities is the flexibility and the mix of environmental control systems that serve these greenhouse ‘lab spaces.’ Compartments have been created to support research in tall crops, short crops, aqua (pond) crops, production study vs small study and even a section for BSL isolated research.