Green Roofs Around The World: Utilization Across Different Industries
Although green roofs have been proven to have various environmental, economic, and aesthetic benefits, their features and uses are still somewhat unknown to many North American building owners. For this reason, the vast majority of roofs across the US still currently lack this plant-based technology. However, many industries are slowly but surely installing green roofs in their buildings, including multinational companies, hospitals, airports, and even universities. To help inspire you, here are several examples of green roofs installed in various institutions across the globe:
Green Roofs Go Global
On an international level, Bosch, the German multinational engineering and technology company aims to achieve the ambitious goal of being fully climate-neutral as early as 2020. In simple terms, their entire operations will no longer leave a carbon footprint. Their location at Renningen, Germany has been carbon neutral since January 2019. This feat can be partly attributed to the green rooftops that help control temperatures inside their host buildings. They do this by providing an insulating buffer against direct sunlight and excessive heat accumulation on the rooftop. The green roofs are integrated with an underground cistern that harvests and collects excess rainwater from the plant cover for use in the air-conditioning system’s cooling towers. According to Bosch, this integrated system reduces the amount of energy needed to air-condition their buildings by 20 to 30 percent.
Green Roofs and Big Money
Bosch Center for Research and Advance Engineering in Renningen, Germany. Source: Bosch
Investment company Edward Jones has also taken steps to promote environmental sustainability. They have implemented recycling and composting programs at all their corporate locations. Their Des Peres campus has a green roof and solar panels generate power for the irrigation system. The landscaped campus surroundings have been further greened with the addition of a 3,000-square-foot Butterfly and Pollinator Garden which helps promote a healthy ecosystem. Edward Jones has also partnered with Maryville University to build degree programs that teach similar sustainable practices to the world’s future leaders.
Green Roof Patient Healing Garden on Reading Hospital. Photo: Rob Cardillo Photography
Green Roofs and Healthcare
Not only are green roofs ecologically sustainable and cost-cutting, but they also promote recovery and wellness. According to medical research by Robert Ulrich of Texas A&M, green spaces can also promote faster healing in hospital patients. In his study, he compared the recovery time of surgical patients with a view of a brick wall relative to those with a view of green space. The patients with green space views had fewer postsurgical complications, required less pain medication, and needed shorter hospital stays overall.
As of 2018, the third-largest green roof on a US healthcare building is in West Reading, Pennsylvania. At the Reading Hospital, patients can observe views of the rooftop garden, promoting peace and healing for the sick. Other features include access to “a tranquil fountain area, a pergola offering shade in the summer, an oval-shaped grassy area anchoring the rooftop garden, and a strolling meadow walk that connects to Wyomissing Park. Skylights and light wells would also allow natural light to enter the prep and recovery platform below the green roof.”
Green Roofs cover eight acres of structure at Chicago airports.
Source: AviationPros.com
Green Roofs at the Airport
At the Chicago O’Hare Airport, you can find the world’s largest freestanding green roof. Because of its vast scale, every year it prevents approximately 2 million gallons of stormwater runoff from entering the sewer. This reduces the load on Chicago’s already overburdened sewer system. The massive green roof also reduces air pollution in the area removing around 35.7 tons of airborne particulates annually.
A major concern when installing an airport green roof is ensuring the plants don’t attract large groups of wildlife. Accordingly, the designers used low-profile plants to prevent bird strike hazards. They also selected plants tolerant to heat and drought. Last but not least are the benefits of the multiple layers of the green roof. This assembly is highly effective at absorbing noise from overhead aircraft, construction equipment, and vehicles. It’s estimated that a four-inch-deep green roof can reduce the level of sound that reaches the inside of a building by up to 40 decibels.
Green Roofs Teaching Lessons
Similarly, educational institutions have also seen the value in adopting green roof technology. The University of Michigan, for instance, recently implemented green roofs in new buildings on campus. This was the result of student-led efforts. The University plans to continue their environmental efforts in the future. At their Plant and Soil Sciences Building (PSSB), the roof serves multiple functions. It allows the public to visually observe the annual progression of a green roof through the seasons. It also functions as a learning tool for graduate and undergraduate students. They learn about plant installations, monitoring, and maintenance.
Closing Thoughts
Will green roofs be a more commonplace sight in our future cities? According to Steven Peck, the founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the answer should be a resounding yes: “We’ve established best practices for creating green roofs. We have political leaders looking for ways to improve the health and well-being of the people in their cities and also address climate change. We have research that shows the benefits of green roofs. It seems clear that the cities that invest in green infrastructure will be the cities that thrive.”
If you’re an architect, designer, or building professional and would like to learn more about green roofs, moss walls, and living walls, Urbanstrong offers Continuing Education presentations that are compatible with a wide variety of programs.
Written by: Jacklyn Barrowes
