VETTO - a Low-cost Rooftop Hydroponic System for Urban Spaces

In cities like Milan, where outdoor space is limited and rooftops often go unused, finding ways to grow plants or food sustainably can be a challenge. This project was born from the idea of transforming flat, accessible rooftops into productive, green spaces using a simple and ultra-low-cost hydroponic system. By using cheap boxes, we created a setup that’s easy to build, modular, and ideal for beginners. In addition to providing fresh herbs and leafy greens without soil, the system also helps reduce rooftop temperatures, contributing to a cooler urban microclimate during hot summers. It’s a practical, climate-conscious solution that reclaims unused space and brings food production closer to home.

This hydroponic system is made out of cheap boxes, plywood board laser cut, 22 small 3D printed connecting pieces of TPU and PLA material, 10cm of silicon pipe and 32 pots of 5cmX5xm. You will need a drill, a drill bit and a scissors.

1. Plywood board 110x80 cm 14€
2. Uppsnofsad box ikea 1.50€
3. Hydroponic Plant Basket by YiPhom 10.99€
4. Silicon pipe external diameter 1.5cm 0.50€
5. Drill Bit diameter 1.6cm 1.90€
6. Nutrient solution by Generico 6.39€

Total Cost 35.28€

The first step is to cut a 6mm thick plywood panel to a size of 110 x 80 cm. This panel acts as the supporting base of your hydroponic system, it holds the IKEA boxes in place and ensures the structure is stable when positioned on a rooftop or flat surface.

Instructions:

1. Use a laser cutter to cut the plywood sheet to 110 x 80 cm.
2. Cut slowly and carefully, plywood is dense, and precise cuts ensure the boxes will fit snugly.
3. After cutting, check that the boxes fit securely in the recesses. You can sand the edges lightly if needed.

Tips:

1. Always test one cutout before committing to the full panel, even small variations in box dimensions can affect the fit.
2. If you’re placing this on a slightly uneven rooftop, consider reinforcing the panel with wooden battens or supports underneath.
3. Use ventilation and a mask when cutting MDF, as it releases fine dust and fumes.

In this step, you’ll 3D print all the connection pieces used to secure the net pots in place and create seals around the irrigation pipes to prevent water leakage. These parts are essential to the structure and water-tightness of the hydroponic system.

We used a combination of:

1. PLA for rigid structural parts
2. TPU for flexible, sealing components

Instructions:

1. Download the 3D models for:
2. Pot holder clips that lock the net pots into the box.
3. Pipe connectors that fit around holes and tubing to prevent leaks.
4. Print settings for PLA (rigid parts):
5. Material: PLA
6. Layer height: 0.2 mm
7. Infill: 30% (adjust based on strength needed)
8. Print settings for TPU (flexible parts):
9. Material: TPU
10. Print speed: slow (20–30 mm/s)
11. Infill: 100% for watertightness
12. Cooling fan: low or off to improve layer bonding

Tips:

1. If the TPU parts are too loose, try scaling them up 1–2% or printing at a slightly higher temperature for better layer adhesion.
2. Store TPU parts flat to avoid warping before use.
3. Mark PLA and TPU parts clearly after printing — they can look similar in shape but behave very differently.
4. Make sure pipes and pots fit tightly into their printed interfaces — a snug fit is key for a leak-free system.

Start to assemble the supporting base of the hydroponic system. This base will hold the IKEA boxes securely and ensure the system is stable once installed on the rooftop.

To make assembly easier and more intuitive, we engraved guide letters onto each piece. Simply follow the assembly order below:

B2 → D → B1 → B → A

Instructions:

1. Identify each piece by the engraved letters (B2, D, B1, B, A). Lay them out on a flat surface in the correct order.
2. Start with B2, which forms one of the side supports.
3. Attach piece D, central cross brace.
4. Continue with B1.
5. Add B, which helps lock the previous elements together and provides horizontal stability.
6. Finally, place and fix A.
7. Ensure all joints are flush and square, especially if the system will sit on a slightly uneven rooftop.

Tips:

1. Follow the engraved letters carefully — some parts may look similar but fit differently depending on orientation.
2. If pieces feel tight, sand the joints slightly before forcing them together.
3. Assemble the base on a flat, clean surface to avoid misalignment.

With the supporting base assembled, it's time to position the UPPSNOFSAD boxes from IKEA on top.

Instructions:

1. Align each UPPSNOFSAD box with its designated slot on the MDF base. The base structure is designed to guide and stabilize their placement.
2. Gently lower each box into place, ensuring it fits securely without forcing. The fit should be snug to prevent movement once the system is active.
3. Double-check that each box is level and properly seated, this helps with water distribution and overall stability.

To allow water to flow between adjacent UPPSNOFSAD boxes, you need to drill holes in the sides where the boxes touch. This step ensures the water level remains equal across the system, allowing all plants to receive the same amount of nutrients.

Instructions:

1. Identify the sides of the boxes that are in contact with each other once placed on the base.
2. On each of these sides, mark the center point of the hole:
3. Use a ruler to measure 8.5 cm from the bottom of the box up to the center of the hole.
4. Use a marker to clearly mark the drill point on both boxes.
5. Use a drill with a 16 mm hole saw bit.
6. Carefully drill the hole at the marked point, keeping the drill perpendicular to the box wall to avoid cracking or warping the plastic.
7. Remove any plastic burrs or shavings around the hole with a utility knife or sandpaper.

Tips:

1. Drill slowly and with moderate pressure to avoid splitting the plastic.
2. Make sure the holes on each pair of adjacent boxes are aligned, so that water can flow freely between them.

To connect the holes between adjacent UPPSNOFSAD boxes and allow water to circulate evenly, you’ll need to cut short pieces of silicone tubing with an outer diameter of 1.5 cm.

These short connectors will act as bridges between boxes, fitting snugly into the holes you drilled in the previous step.

Instructions:

1. Measure and mark the silicone tube to cut three pieces, each 3 cm long.
2. Use a scissors to make clean, straight cuts.
3. Make sure the cuts are perpendicular to the tubing to ensure a tight, leak-resistant fit.
4. Check that the tubing fits snugly but without forcing into the drilled holes (16 mm diameter).

Now it’s time to install the 3D printed parts into the holes you drilled to prevent water leaking, and then insert the silicone tubing pieces as connectors between the boxes.

Instructions:

1. Take the 3D printed sealing pieces (printed in TPU and PLA) and insert them into the holes on the sides of the UPPSNOFSAD boxes. These parts act as water-tight seals around the openings.
2. Ensure each seal fits snugly and flush with the box surface to prevent any gaps.
3. Once the seals are in place, insert the 3 cm silicone tubing pieces into the seals, connecting adjacent boxes through the holes.
4. Check that the tubes fit tightly and create a continuous water path between the boxes.

Tips:

1. If any seal feels loose, try gently warming the TPU part in hot water to soften it slightly before inserting, improving the fit.
2. After assembly, test the system with water to check for leaks before finalizing the setup.

Now it’s time to place the plant pot holders on each short side of the UPPSNOFSAD boxes. These holders will support the net pots where your plants will grow.

Instructions:

1. Position one plant pot holder on each short side of the boxes, aligning them carefully to ensure stability.
2. Use the 3D printed connection clips to secure the holders in place:
3. Attach the TPU clip on one side, its flexibility provides a snug, shock-absorbing fit.
4. Attach the PLA clip on the opposite side, its rigidity ensures a firm hold.
5. Press the clips firmly until they lock into place, holding the plant pod holders securely against the box edges.

Tips:

1. The combination of TPU and PLA clips balances flexibility and strength, don’t substitute both clips with the same material.

Now it’s time to add your plant pods into the holders and place your seedlings.

Instructions:

1. Insert each plant pod firmly into the holders installed on the boxes.
2. Carefully plant your seedlings or seeds into the pods, ensuring they are well positioned and supported.
3. Make sure the roots have enough space inside the pod to grow into the nutrient solution below.
4. Water gently if needed to help seedlings settle in.

Tips:

1. Choose seedlings or plants suited for hydroponic growth, such as herbs, lettuce, or leafy greens.
2. Monitor seedlings closely in the first few days to ensure proper hydration and growth.
3. Rotate plants periodically if needed for even light exposure.

Once your hydroponic system is set up and filled with water, either manually or naturally by rain, you can easily add nutrient solution to keep your plants healthy and growing.

Instructions:

1. When the water level is sufficient, pour your hydroponic nutrient solution into the highest-positioned box in the system.
2. Thanks to the interconnected tubing system, the nutrient-rich water will gradually flow through the pipes into the other boxes, balancing the water level and distributing the nutrients evenly.
3. Wait a few minutes and check that water levels are stable across all boxes.

Tips:

1. If it has recently rained and the boxes are full, this method avoids waste by simply enriching the existing water.
2. Avoid adding nutrients directly to every box, this may cause imbalances. Adding to one box is enough, thanks to the level-equalizing design.