A green roof system is an
extension of the existing roof which involves a high quality water
proofing and root repellant system, a drainage system, filter cloth, a
lightweight growing medium and plants.
Below: DPI Marine and Freshwater Resource Institute
research facility at Queenscliff, Victoria, an award-winning design by Lyons Architects.
But it can also be a
rooftop food production system that meshes the technologies of
aquaponics, vermiculture, rooftop water harvesting, and solar-powered
air moisture harvesting.
Such green roofs provide building owners with
a new revenue stream, plus reduction of organic matter going to
landfill, and reduced air pollution through less use of diesel fuel in
cities.
Non-food green roof
systems may be modular, with drainage layers, filter cloth, growing
media and plants already prepared in movable, interlocking grids, or,
each component of the system may be installed separately.
Green roof development
involves the creation of "contained" green space on top of a structure.
This green space could be below, at or above ground level, but in all
cases the plants are not planted in the "ground" but in a special
compost.
Green roofs can provide a
wide range of public and private benefits, including significantly
reduced fossil energy use, reduced peak runoff of roofwater,
aesthetically pleasing cityscapes, longer roof life, and reduce 'heat
island effects' of cities.
Below: Norfolk summerhouse with sedum roofing - see www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk
In North America,
the benefits of green roof technologies are being increasing understood
as the green roof industry moves from novelty to common practice.
Below: the Arlington County Government Center, Virginia.
In Europe green roof
technologies have become very well established since the 1980s. This
has been the direct result of government legislative and financial
support, at both the state and municipal level.
Such support recognizes the many tangible and intangible public benefits of green roofs.
Below: Westin Awaji Resort, Japan, photo courtesy of Graeme Hopkins and Churchill Memorial Fellowship.
Green roof technologies not only provide the owners of buildings with a proven return on investment, but also represent opportunities for significant social, economic and environmental benefits, particularly in cities.
Below: Grass-roofed village in Bour, Faroe Islands
Above: Melbourne's Southbank/Crown Casino green roof by Fytogreen (see www.fytogreen.com.au) 1. In February 2004, The
newly finished garden with the white stone mulch covering the tree
mounds made up of the Hydrocell 40 Podium soil mix. 2. All on the 10th Floor: Overlooking this Tall Fescue grass
and deciduous tree area is the swimming pool and sun bathing area,
all on the 10th floor 3. In April 2006, the gardens have
grown with the ground covers maturing and trees in full leaf and
the turf looking lush. All with a very open free draining profile
with no slumpage 4. Extensions: Currently the roof garden is
being extended with more tree mounds, a path and a seat allowing
a quite space in a beautiful garden 10 floors above Southbank.
The new plantings are just starting in the foreground while the
older plants are well established.
Top: Maori Bay, New Zealand, Logan Whitelaw.
Above: Italian architects Dr. B. Centola and Prof. Dr. M. Pozzoli designed this green roof for the European Investment Bank, Luxembourg.
Above: From 'Strategies for Sustainable Designs', see www.bakor.com/roofing_green.asp
Chicago City Hall's green roof. Photo by Dennis Light. See chigacowildernessmag.org
Green roof plug-panted with sedums. See www.safeguardeurope.com
A green roof by The Garland Company. See www.garlandco.com
Above: fromm www.dwellblog.com
Above: Living wall at Christie Walk Solar Townhouses, designed by ecopolis architects, Adelaide.
Below: Some of Singapore's food from the roof - using hydroponics in two systems.
Below: Arriving passengers using Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands do not realise that above them is a green roof that reduces heating and cooling bills, insulates against aircraft noise, reduces runoff of peak rainfall flows, and provides visual pleasure to arriving passengers above. Roofing materials also last longer.
The
Urban Agriculture Network-Western Pacific and Nettworx Publishing Pty
Ltd. have set set up Green Roofs for Healthy Australian Cities (GRHAC)
to form as an incorporated national organisation to be registered in
the Australian state of Queensland.
Green
Roofs for Healthy Australian Cities is a membership organisation with
an elected committee that draws together the various governmental,
organisational and businesses groups and individuals interested in
being kept informed about green roof science. technology, practice,
regulations, specifications.
Green Roofs for Healthy Australian Cities is serviced by Nettworx Publishing Pty Ltd in its three major business activities:
Online management of new science and technology organisations and
Provision of online information services via Urban Agriculture Online
Events management in study tours, meetings, lectures, seminars, conferences.
The name "Green Roofs for
Healthy Australian Cities" is currently held in trust by Nettworx
Publishing Pty Ltd, pending recruitment of a sufficient number of
intending foundation members who can finance incorporation as an
independed association with elected office-bearers.
Intending foundation
members can join the embrionic organisation by subscribing. Or ask
Geoff Wilson, convenor, for further information -- Geoff@nettworx.info or phone +61 7 3411 4524 or 0412 622 779.
