Urban Oasis
A Regenerative Permaculture Campus
What if a grocery store was also a forest? What if your neighborhood doubled as a food system, classroom, and cultural commons? Urban Oasis is a regenerative campus where community health, ecological repair, and food sovereignty grow side by side—rooted in permaculture design and shared vision.
Mission & Vision
A Regenerative Food System for People & Planet
Urban Agriculture
Transforming city spaces into productive food landscapes that nourish communities and restore ecological health.
Renewable Energy
Powering our food systems with clean energy solutions that reduce our ecological footprint and build climate resilience.
Shared Ownership
Creating inclusive economic models where community members co-create and govern their local food systems.
Food Access & Culture
Ensuring every Denver resident has access to fresh, culturally relevant foods that strengthen community bonds.
Our vision connects urban spaces with ecological regeneration and community health through cooperative ownership, inspiring cities worldwide to build just, local food systems where everyone thrives.
Urban Oasis
Food Forest
A Living Landscape
Layered growing areas form a vibrant permaculture food forest, featuring native fruit and nut trees, medicinal herbs, and ecologically stacked plant systems. Within this forest, perennial polycultures mimic natural ecosystems to build soil and boost biodiversity, while the Three Sisters gardens honors Indigenous companion planting traditions. A connected passive solar greenhouse supports tropical crops like bananas, citrus, and coffee—extending food production year-round. Every zone is designed for seasonal abundance and long-term resilience.
Pollinator meadows, hedgerows, and layered food forests support biodiversity above and below ground. Drought-tolerant native plants, like bee balm and penstemon, provide forage and habitat for beneficial insects and local wildlife.
These shared areas are designed for connection, learning, and celebration. From fire circles and open-air classrooms to shaded spots for rest, they support workshops, harvest festivals, casual gatherings, and seasonal events—fostering community through both structure and spontaneity.
Bioswales, rain gardens, and a small aquaponics pond harvest, filter, and cycle water across the site. These features slow runoff, recharge soil, and integrate climate-adapted water stewardship into every garden zone.
Food Production
What is a Permaculture Food Forest?
A permaculture food forest is a regenerative planting system that mimics the structure and function of a natural forest—designed for human nourishment, habitat creation, and ecological restoration. Instead of growing in rows, plants are layered in diverse, mutually supportive relationships that enhance soil, store water, and produce food year-round.
Forest Structure & Composition
The 9 Layers of a Food Forest
Canopy Trees
The tallest, sun-seeking layer composed of large, long-lived trees that offer shade, structure, and yield. Includes Bur Oak, Pecan, Honey Locust, and fruit trees adapted to Denver's climate.
Sub-Canopy Trees
Shade-tolerant trees that grow below the canopy, producing fruit, nuts, or ecological services. Serviceberry, Pawpaw, Hazelnut, and Redbud thrive in these partial-sun conditions.
Shrubs
Bushy plants filling mid-level niches with fruits, medicine, and wildlife habitat. Aronia Berry, Currants, Elderberry, and nitrogen-fixing Buffaloberry create this diverse middle layer.
Middle & Ground Layers
Herbaceous Layer
Non-woody perennials and annuals used for food, medicine, and soil improvement. Comfrey, Echinacea, Lavender, Mint, and other herbs form this versatile layer.
Groundcover
Low-growing plants that protect soil, suppress weeds, and retain moisture. Strawberries, Clover, Thyme, and spreading squash plants create living mulch throughout the system.
Vines & Climbers
Vertical growers that utilize trellises or larger plants for support. Grapes, Hops, Pole Beans, and Native Passionflower maximize space by growing upward through the forest.
Underground & Specialized Layers
Root Crops
Plants cultivated for their edible roots and soil structuring. Jerusalem Artichoke, Rhubarb, Sweet Potato, and Daikon Radish occupy the underground niche of the system.
Fungi
Essential decomposers that break down organic matter and enhance soil fertility. Wine Cap Mushrooms, Shiitake Logs, and mycorrhizal networks support the entire forest system.
Aquatic Layer
Water-integrated plants and systems supporting biodiversity and filtration. Cattails, Watercress, Duckweed, and small aquaponics systems complete the forest ecosystem.
Ecological Benefits
Why It Works
1
Enhances biodiversity by supporting a wide range of species and ecological functions
2
Regenerates soil health and sequesters carbon through living roots and organic matter
3
Conserves water with layered plant systems that shade, mulch, and retain moisture
4
Provides continuous harvests from both perennial and seasonal crops
5
Builds a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem that thrives with minimal intervention
Perennial Polycultures
[pə-ˈre-nē-əl ˈpä-lē-ˌkəl-chərs]: A regenerative planting system composed of multiple complementary plant species that live for more than one season and grow together in layered, mutually beneficial arrangements.
— noun, plural
Perennial Plants
Plants that live for multiple years, regrow each season, and do not need to be replanted annually. Examples include rhubarb, lavender, hazelnut, and serviceberry.
Perennial Polyculture System
Multiple plant species growing together in complementary relationships, creating a resilient ecosystem that mimics natural patterns.
Polyculture vs. Monoculture
An agricultural system that grows a variety of species together, often mimicking natural ecosystems. The opposite of monoculture, polycultures promote biodiversity and resilience.
Three Sisters Garden
Corn
Provides natural support structure for climbing beans.
Beans
Fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting surrounding plants.
Squash
Large leaves shade soil, reducing weeds and water loss.

The Three Sisters: A Living System of Reciprocity

In this traditional planting method, corn reaches toward the sky, offering structure for pole beans to climb. The beans return the favor by fixing nitrogen into the soil, feeding their sisters. At their feet, squash vines stretch wide, shading the soil, conserving water, and defending against weeds. More than a garden, the Three Sisters is a living system rooted in Indigenous wisdom, demonstrating how food, culture, and ecology grow stronger together.

Medicinal & Cultural Gardens
These gardens honor ancestral food and healing traditions while creating spaces for cultural exchange and knowledge preservation.
Latin American Heritage
Featuring traditional crops like tomatillos, epazote, and chayote that honor culinary and medicinal traditions.
African Diaspora Plants
Showcasing okra, collards, hibiscus, and other plants that traveled with and sustained communities through history.
Indigenous Medicines
Growing echinacea, sage, yarrow, and other native plants that have been used for healing for generations.
Native Habitats
Urban Oasis restores connections between people, plants, and the local ecosystem through thoughtfully designed native habitat zones.
Pollinator Meadows
Drought-tolerant native plants like bee balm, penstemon, blue flax, and purple coneflower provide year-round forage and shelter for essential pollinators in the heart of the city.
Hedgerows & Wild Edges
Natural buffers that reduce wind, absorb noise, and offer nesting sites for wildlife. These living boundaries create safe passages for birds and beneficial insects.
Layered Food Forests
Layered plantings support biodiversity both above and below ground, enriching soil and strengthening ecological resilience while providing food and habitat.
These habitats are not just beautiful—they are essential for pollination, pest control, and the overall health of the garden system. By designing with ecology in mind, the campus becomes more than a garden—it becomes part of a living, urban ecosystem.
Water Systems & Management
Urban Oasis is designed to treat water as a precious, shared resource—cycling, filtering, and conserving it through a network of natural and engineered systems. From rooftop to root zone, every drop is part of a regenerative loop.
Bioswales & Rain Gardens
Shallow, planted channels and gardens capture rainwater from rooftops and hard surfaces.
  • Slow and filter runoff naturally through soil and plant roots
  • Recharge groundwater and reduce erosion
  • Use native, drought-tolerant species to support biodiversity while managing stormwater
Aquaponics Pond
A small pond integrates fish and floating edible plants (like watercress or duckweed) into the site's food system.
  • Filters and recycles water between pond and greenhouse
  • Creates a living habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects
  • Acts as a natural reservoir for irrigation
Rainwater Harvesting
Rooftops collect rainwater into storage tanks for greenhouse and garden use.
  • Reduces dependence on municipal water
  • Paired with filtration systems for clean, safe irrigation
  • Supports water needs during drought or supply disruptions
Water Safety & Quality
In an area impacted by industrial pollution, ensuring safe irrigation is a top priority.
  • Water for the greenhouse is filtered using reverse osmosis and other advanced techniques
  • Ongoing monitoring for heavy metals and toxins ensures food safety
  • Supports resilient agriculture even in compromised urban environments
Together, these systems create a closed-loop, climate-adaptive water network that keeps the gardens thriving while protecting local waterways and human health.
Greenhouse Innovation at Urban Oasis
The Role of the Greenhouse in the Campus
The Urban Oasis campus integrates two distinct greenhouse environments into a single interconnected system:
Tropical Permaculture Forest
Located on the ground level, this double-height greenhouse mimics a natural food forest ecosystem—interwoven with the café, public market, and gathering spaces. Lush with bananas, citrus, coffee, and medicinal plants, it creates a biodiverse, immersive environment for learning and leisure.
  • Designed for year-round tropical growing
  • Anchored in permaculture principles and seasonal abundance
  • Integrated with the building’s climate and airflow systems
  • Supports air quality monitoring and contamination control
  • Connects directly to balconies and walkways from upper floors
  • Acts as a living classroom for food systems, ecology, and community health
Climate-Controlled Hydroponic Greenhouse
Perched on the rooftop, this sealed, high-efficiency greenhouse supports commercial-scale food production using smart climate controls and hydroponic systems. Physically separate from the tropical permaculture forest below, it offers a distinct growing environment optimized for leafy greens, herbs, and quick-turnover crops.
  • Equipped with precision climate control and smart lighting
  • Uses closed-loop hydroponic systems with filtered, contaminant-free water
  • Produces fresh food year-round in a dense urban setting
  • Integrates HEPA + activated carbon air filtration to ensure public health safety
  • Connected to the facility’s energy and water infrastructure, including solar and rain capture
  • Serves as a demonstration of sustainable agriculture in industrialized areas
Both greenhouses leverage innovative technology to create sustainable food production systems in the heart of the urban environment.
Smart Greenhouse Tech Innovation
Urban Oasis is redefining greenhouse design—merging ecological health, urban resilience, and high-tech innovation into a fully integrated, intelligent growing system.
This isn't just a structure for food production. It's a responsive, climate-adaptive system that protects crops and people, while modeling what sustainable agriculture can look like in polluted urban environments.
Smart Roofing & Light Control
Our greenhouse uses advanced polycarbonate and ETFE materials that are lightweight, durable, and hail-resistant while providing UV-filtering protection.
We're pioneering "smart glass" technologies that dynamically adjust transparency and can shift the light spectrum to optimize plant growth.
Air Quality Filtration & Safety
Our multi-stage air filtration system protects crops from nearby industrial pollution using:
  • HEPA filters for fine particulates
  • Activated carbon filters for harmful gases
  • UV-C light for pathogen neutralization
Water & Energy Integration
We integrate rainwater collection with solar panels and agrivoltaic systems to create a sustainable energy-water ecosystem.
Our closed-loop hydroponic systems use 90% less water than traditional farming while recycling unused resources.
Automation & Real-Time Monitoring
A network of sensors continuously tracks light, temperature, humidity, air quality, and plant health, allowing the system to adjust automatically to changing conditions.
This smart technology reduces waste, improves crop quality, and generates valuable data for future improvements.
Community
At Urban Oasis, connection is as vital as cultivation. The landscape is designed not just to grow food, but to nurture community through gathering, learning, and celebration.
From quiet corners to vibrant festivals, these shared spaces support a full spectrum of engagement—structured and spontaneous, cultural and casual.
Fire Circle & Gathering Grove
A central stone fire pit anchors the space, inviting people to come together for community meals, seasonal ceremonies, and informal conversations under the trees.
Workshops & Learning Zones
Shaded benches and open-air classrooms provide flexible space for educational programs, youth field trips, gardening classes, and storytelling sessions rooted in cultural and ecological wisdom.
Events & Celebrations
A flexible event area accommodates everything from harvest festivals and live music to co-op parties, cultural fairs, and popup markets—blurring the lines between public space and shared joy.
Edible & Medicinal Landscapes
Every space is surrounded by food-bearing trees, pollinator plants, and medicinal herbs, offering nourishment, learning opportunities, and seasonal beauty.
Space for Cultural Exchange
Designed with intergenerational and intercultural use in mind, these zones support dialogue, ritual, and celebration—offering a place where diverse community traditions are seen, honored, and shared.
Impact
Urban Oasis Cooperative: A Resilience Hub for Health, Equity & Ecology
This final section builds upon the infrastructure vision to reveal how Urban Oasis functions not merely as a market, but as a community-powered resilience hub—a living system where ecological design meets social infrastructure.
A resilience hub serves as a community anchor before, during, and after crises, while advancing social equity and environmental sustainability year-round.
Urban Oasis embodies this vision by integrating regenerative ecological systems with robust social infrastructure.
More Than a Market: A Community Ecosystem
Urban Oasis transcends traditional food retail by weaving together food security, climate adaptation, economic opportunity, and community power under one regenerative roof.
  • Provides fresh, affordable, culturally relevant food in historically underserved Denver neighborhoods
  • Eliminates barriers through sliding-scale pricing and seamless integration with SNAP/WIC benefits
Building Community Power Through Inclusive Governance
Empowers residents through participatory governance and community advisory leadership with "Food for All" membership models.
  • Honors diverse cultural traditions through multilingual programming
  • Ensures inclusive ownership that transcends economic barriers
Creating a Thriving Local Economy
Catalyzes entrepreneurship with commercial kitchen access, seed funding, and business incubation while prioritizing partnerships with BIPOC-owned enterprises.
  • Generates meaningful green-sector employment in urban agriculture
  • Strengthens the local economy through regional producer partnerships
Demonstrating Environmental Leadership
Demonstrates living solutions through integrated permaculture, solar energy systems, and water conservation.
  • Minimizes waste through regenerative closed-loop systems
  • Advances multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals
Expanding Reach Through Mobile & Inclusive Services
Extends reach through a dynamic Mobile Market bringing nutrition to underserved areas across Denver.
  • Creates pathways to access for seniors, disabled community members, and transportation-limited households
  • Addresses gaps in Denver's Food Action Plan and 2030 Food Vision
Serving as a Climate & Emergency Resource
Maintains essential services during grid disruptions through renewable energy microgrids and water independence.
  • Serves as a critical community resource hub during disasters
  • Provides climate refuge during extreme weather events
Developing Skills & Catalyzing Change
Urban Oasis cultivates next-generation expertise through comprehensive workforce training while accelerating Denver's 2030 Food Vision by implementing key priorities like establishing complete neighborhood food environments and expanding urban agricultural capacity.
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