Media, PA – January 23, 2026 – The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture, a U.S. based company that supports the growth of the vertical farming and greenhouse industry, is nearing completion of the design of an energy efficient, scalable, sustainable, and workflow optimized vertical farm. This project was funded in part by a Pennsylvania Agricultural Innovation Grant. This initiative supports the development of cutting-edge strategies to reduce energy consumption while enhancing productivity in controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
“We are excited to be nearing completion of this project” said Dr. Eric W. Stein, Executive Director, Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture. “We have developed an innovative architectural design to help farmers maximize efficiency, lower costs, and reduce their carbon footprint while ensuring consistent food production year-round. Our next step is to identify the best site for our pilot, find clients and partners, and raise the necessary capital for construction.” The Center’s primary architectural design partner, Re:Vision (Philadelphia, PA) played a pivotal role. “We couldn’t have done it without their support,” notes Stein. “They have been awesome to work with.”
“When Dr. Stein asked us if we were interested in working with him to develop the design for a building system that would make it easier for farmers to build sustainable businesses using indoor agriculture it was an immediate yes,” according to Drew Lavine, Partner and Director of Design at Re:Vision. The latter’s mission is to infuse sustainability in the built environment and to remove barriers to others achieving sustainable solutions.
Lead architect, Sarah Reynolds, noted, “As an architect interested in sustainable and resilient solutions, it’s so rewarding to be a collaborator on this project. Our concept design prioritized building function, plant processing, farmer workflow, and module layout to optimize floor plans. Each draft was validated by feedback from industry professionals. I am excited to have been a part of this project and fully expect future installations to exceed their promise.”
The grant that underwrote part of the project was provided for by Governor Shapiro’s 2024-2025 budget and was administered by the PA Department of Agriculture. The initiative is part of the state’s commitment to fostering agricultural innovation and sustainability. With indoor farming on the rise, optimizing labor and energy use is a critical step toward making these operations more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture is actively looking for partners to realize its vision for the vertical farm of the future and make it available to prospective clients, landowners and investors. For more information about the Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture and its ongoing initiatives, visit indoorgacenter.org.
About the Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture
The Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture is dedicated to advancing sustainable, technology-appropriate solutions for indoor farming through research, education, and industry collaboration. For investors, entrepreneurs, industry partners, and community organizers, the Center helps to de-risk the process of building sustainable and profitable indoor vertical farms and greenhouses. For communities, the Center supports the growth of innovative agricultural systems that ensure food security and environmental stewardship. The Center is located in the Philadelphia metro region.
About Re:Vision
Re:Vision, founded in 20022, is an architecture and sustainability consulting practice composed of purpose-driven people committed to re-visioning and restoring the balance between natural, built, and social environments. Re:Vision is comprised of two studios in one LEED-certified building that supports clients, other architects, contractors, and organizations to make their work and their companies more sustainable. Re:Vision has been a certified B Corporation since 2007 and is located in Philadelphia.
Media Contact Information
Center of Excellence for Indoor Agriculture
Web: https://indooragcenter.org/
Email: team@indooragcenter.org
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