A 19th-century stable in the heart of Kirkcaldy, Scotland, has been transformed into a pioneering vertical farm, demonstrating how renewable energy and sustainable agriculture can breathe new life into disused urban spaces.
The project, led by renewable energy firm PeachyKeen, forms part of the wider 5P Project focused on urban regeneration and community development.
“We’re using that knowledge to power urban farms and rethink how vacant town centre buildings can be repurposed,” said Andrew Bowie, Director at PeachyKeen.
The retrofitted stable runs entirely off-grid, powered by 23 solar panels, a small wind turbine, human-powered devices, and a water turbine. This energy system supports a hydroponic growing room that supplies fresh produce to local outlets. Rainwater is collected and filtered for irrigation, with the water occasionally routed through turbines to generate additional energy.
“All the boxes have been ticked: we’ve got a growing system, an energy source, and a distribution pathway. It’s now about proving that this can work long-term and at scale,” Bowie added.
PeachyKeen has taken a hands-on approach, designing electronics, 3D printing components, and building systems in-house. To monitor and refine the project, the team is working with partners to create a digital twin, collecting real-time data on energy input and output, water usage, and crop yields.
“It’s a new layer, but it fits into what we already do, which is designing and implementing energy systems that support local infrastructure,” Bowie explained.
The pilot has already attracted attention from national associations and local government groups, and the site is serving as a learning hub for students and community organisations. Bowie envisions the model as a “department store of sustainability,” combining renewable energy generation, local food production, manufacturing, recycling, and education under one roof.
“If this works in a 100-year-old building, there’s no reason why it can’t work on high streets,” he concluded.
