Also known as ecological roof, A system of Green Roof is designed as an additional layer On the existing roof of a building to grow plants or shrubs. You can pass from a flat, inclined or vaulted roof existing to a green roof and convert what would otherwise have been a wasted space in a vegetation field. This deck system is being adopted by architects around the world, such as Weiss/Manfredi, which designed the Brooklyn Botanical Garden Visitor Center, and Guz Wilkinson, who created gardens on the roof of the Meera Sky Garden House, a private residence of four floors in Sentosa, in Singapore. Here are everything you need to know for Design your own Green Roof:
Benefits of a Green Roof
- This cover system is not only an interesting design element, but also has several benefits for the environment.
- A green roof can keep the cooler buildings by combating the «heat island effect», in which urban areas absorb and catch heat due to the lack of green coverage.
- Vegetation and soil absorb rainwater, reducing the rainwater that drain.
- Made with succulents, herbs and other plants, they provide a bird habitat, butterflies and another fauna.
ANNIE SPRATT / UNSPLASH.
Types of ecological roofs
The design of an ecological roof depends on several factors, such as the direction of the sun, the wind speed, the annual rainfall, the height of the ceiling from the soil level and the shadow of the neighboring buildings. The different types of green covers systems are
- An extensive green roof that is light and requires less maintenance. It ranges between 80 and 100 mm and is perfect for grass, moss and small flowers. Vegetation grows naturally and does not require frequent irrigation.
- An intensive green roof includes a coat of thick earth and is ideal for trees and shrubs. This type of green cover system requires an elaborate irrigation system and regular maintenance. It works as an independent garden.
- The substrate of a semi -expansive green cover system ranges between 100 mm and 200 mm and is suitable for a greater diversity of shrubs.