Green Roofs

Over our twenty years in practice Shape Architecture has designed very many green roofs and some brown roofs too.   Our green roofs are typically Sedum roofs. Laid as a blanket or in trays.  We have installed sedum roofs to a variety of projects.  Varying both in type and size.  To side and rear extensions.  To various community projects.  Views down onto the green roof are often seen in the context of the garden and help the extension blend in, with the feeling of a raised garden.

There are many advantages to be had in installing a Green Roof.  An obvious one is the appearance but this is one of many.  A key advantage is the fact that the sedum roof absorbs upto 70% of rainwater that falls upon it.  This helps address the problems associated with large volumes of surface water discharging into the drainage system.  It will also benefit insects and bird life.  It will help save energy given the improved thermal performance of the roof.  The waterproof membrane will last longer given the protection the sedum layer provides.

Brown or Rubble roofs are an interesting alternative to a green roof.  Our community project in Hammersmith features a rubble roof.

The project is located in a local park, Godolphin Community Gardens.  The park was formed by WW2 bomb damage and as such we were likely to find rubble when we started to excavate.  Given that we wanted to create a low carbon construction we decided to limit the material that was taken off site and instead re-use it and this was the reasoning behind a rubble roof.  The composition of the roof, looked down upon by many other properties is well considered,  with a circular rooflight over the community room presenting a contrast with the rubble.

If you are considering a project that would benefit from the addition of a green roof please feel free to contact us at Shape Architecture