Sustainable Architecture Strategies

Green Roofs
Modern green roof technology began in the early seventies in Germany when the first complete green
roof systems where developed and marketed on a bigger scale. The first approach was to offer reliable
technology providing sophisticated irrigation and reliable protection against root ingress for rooftop
gardens.
The second big step was the development of extensive green roofs in the late eighties. The goal was to
create lighter and cheaper systems which could be applied to large flat roofs. The main motivation for
extensive green roofs has been recovery of nature and the protection of roof membranes and
elements from temperature changes.
As extensive green roofs became object to scientific research additional benefits began to gain
importance. Today, ecological benefits like reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling,
storm water retention and heat island mitigation are the main reasons for the growing popularity of
green roofs.
Benefits
For the building owner: For the community: For the environment:
Types of Green Roofs: 3- Intensive Green Roofs
2- Semi-intensive Green For intensive green roofs, the
Roofs growing media is fairly deep – •Expand roof life by two to •Reduce storm water runoff •Prevent combined sewer
1- Extensive Green Roofs usually more than one 1 foot – and three times •Reduce city "heat island" overflow
supports shrub and tree growth. A •Reduce summer effect •Reduce carbon dioxide
or Ecoroofs Usually 6-12 inches deep with a
roof top garden or a patio is an
saturated weight of 145-245 air conditioning cost •Reduce smog impact
Typically 3-6 inches deep with a example of an intensive roof. The
kg/m². Whether irrigation is
saturated weight of 75-145 saturated weight is 342 kg/m² or •Reduce winter heat •Reduce noise •Remove nitrogen pollution
necessary ore not depends on
kg/m². They are ideal for the the regional climate and on
more and irrigation is necessary in demand •Reduce energy demand in rain
growth of drought-tolerant most cases. They also require a lot •Storm water management •Improve air quality •Neutralize acid rain effect
the kind of plants that are
plants, particular succulents like of maintenance, like any other well-
used. Shrubs, perennials, herbs tool •Improve aesthetics •Provide habitat for birds
Sedum. They don’t need kept garden does.
and grasses can be used on
irrigation and only little
•Possibly get incentives, earn and insects
semi-intensive roofs.
maintenance. Due to the low Maintenance is still quite labor LEED** credits
maintenance, they are the roof intensive because the design •Improve public relations
of choice for building owners of most semi-intensive green •Use dead space as a **The LEED green building certification program encourages and accelerates
looking to reduce costs and roofs is still garden-like. global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices
improve the environment.
garden
through a suite of rating systems that recognize projects that implement
strategies for better environmental and health performance.

Steps Of Installation

1. Roof deck, Insulation, Waterproofing

2. Protection and Storage Layer
3. Drainage and Capillarity Layer
4. Root permeable Filter Layer
5. Growing Media (extensive, semi-
intensive or intensive)
6. Plants, Vegetation

Presented By: Omar Mosallam