GREEN & BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE
GREEN-TECH PROVIDES
IRRIGATION SOLUTION
FOR ROOFTOP PLANTING SCHEME
80 Charlotte Street , in the exclusive Fitzrovia district of London is a mixed-use development featuring an impressive line-up of greening measures , all helping to achieve Carbon Net Zero status .
Having the kudos of being London ’ s first all-electric building , 80 Charlotte Street is rated BREEAM 2014 Excellent and is on track to achieve LEED 2009 Gold , meaning that this cutting-edge building is expected to consume 25 % less energy and generate 34 % lower greenhouse gas emissions than the average commercial building . This impressive green performance is achieved whilst retaining much of the existing structure and facades and combining it with new .
One of the main goals for the building ’ s designers , MAKE Architects , was to engender a strong sense of wellbeing for the office workers , residents and public that use it . As part of this commitment , the design allowed the inclusion of numerous roof terraces , both private and shared for the offices and residents , offering dramatic views over Fitzrovia including the BT Tower .
Green-tech were contacted by Barton Willmore landscape architects , with whom they have a long working relationship going back nearly ten years , to quote for irrigation for the many planters that were required on two of the external terraces ; part of a design developed by Piercy & Company Architects for a specific high-end tenant fit-out .
The most effective solution was to use Green-tech ’ s Mona tank system . This subterranean reservoir system irrigates the soil through capillary action , reducing watering frequency whilst at the same time , aerating the soil .
With sizes from 3 to 24 litres , the Mona tanks can either be used individually or linked together in line , for beds and longer runs . Each tank has two capillary legs that are back-filled with soil and reach down into the water inside the reservoir . Once filled via the filler pipe the tanks act as a reservoir , supplying water to the rooting soil via capillary action . As the water is taken up , the empty space is replaced by air through the filler pipe , acting as both irrigation and aeration . If the surrounding soil is damp , the tanks do nothing and the water is stored – once the soil dries out , the water is taken up by capillary action into the soil , keeping it moist .
Over 200 tanks were supplied to the Landscape Contractors , Oasis Plants for the terrace planters , ensuring that the plants are kept well irrigated all year round .
Commenting on landscape suppler Green-tech a spokesperson from Barton Willmore Landscape Architects says , “ We have worked with Green-tech for many years now , and they can always be relied on not only to help out at the front end with specification and cost proposals , but also provide a reliable service when it comes to supply .”
Green-tech ’ s Specification Advisor Alasdair Innes adds , “ We have a great relationship with Barton Willmore , and it is particularly exciting to be involved on a project with such impressive green credentials . The Mona tanks do their job so well , I have no doubt that they will keep the terraces green and healthy for many years to come .”
www . green-tech . co . uk Photos : Courtesy of Barton Willmore
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