FEATURES
“
With growing emphasis placed on green
buildings worldwide, more South African
property owners and architects should
consider converting rooftops into gardens.”
SOME GREEN ROOF BENEFITS
• Reduced urban heat island effect
• Additional insulation
• Additional thermal mass
• Slowing do wn storm water run-off
• Opportunity for greater biodiversity in cities
• Opportunity for urban food gardens
• Opportunity for a place of respite for staff and customers
• Extends life of waterproofing, that is less exposed to direct sun
HIGH LEVEL GREEN ROOF DESIGN CRITERIA
• What is the roof structure carrying capacity?
• Will the roof be accessible to people?
• What kinds of plants and trees will be planted?
• What are the maintenance requirements?
and systems that are modular and adaptable,
which is often easier for projects to use.
“Certain professional teams have also come up
with very innovative ideas, for example the use of
recycled crates as planter boxes, which has been
effectively executed at the Green Star-rated
Radisson Red Hotel in Cape Town. Another
development to mention is Aurecon’s Century City
Green Star rated building in Cape Town which has a
beautiful green roof that serves as a wonderful
place of respite for staff,” highlights Braune.
“There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ green roof design
– there are various kinds of green roof designs
depending on a number of criteria, such as the roof
structure carrying capacity, the kind of planting to
be done, the use of the space and so forth. For this
reason, it is essential to involve a professional
design team, including a qualified landscape
architect, to come up with a best practice green
roof design to meet specific outcomes desired for
that unique project.
“The future of green roofing is for all rooftop
space to be used for energy regulation and
generation to help in combating global warming,”
believes Sam.
Completed in 2011, Aurecon’s Century City premises in Cape Town was the first 5-Star Green Star SA rated building in South Africa. It’s home to a
green rooftop of note.
CLADDING // CONCRETE // INSULATION // STEEL // THATCH // TIMBER // TRANSLUCENT // WATERPROOFING // COMPONENTS
OCTOBER 2018
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