Shortly after the completion of the University of Arizona’s Sixth Street parking structure and office building, the university proceeded to add one additional level to the top of the east half of the parking structure, providing an area for university greenhouses to replace other greenhouses that were removed to make way for the College of Sciences chemistry building expansion.

The greenhouses are constructed of structural steel frames and lightweight roof and wall panels. Drainage, ventilation, and waterproofing issues were critical to the operation of the individual greenhouse units to segregate and protect research results among the various plant species being studied.

Since the greenhouses are constructed on top of the parking structure, it has the advantage of receiving unobstructed light year round.