All Things Considered

Green Roofs
Posted by Kate Sullivan

If you have ever driven over to the smart seaside town of Southwold Suffolk, you will have passed the Adnams distribution centre but perhaps not noticed it.

Set low into the ground making it blend into the rural countryside, the building has a curved roof covered in meadow plants and sedum. This is one of the first ecological warehouses in the UK. Instead of environmentally damaging concrete blocks a chalk, lime and hemp alternative has been used for the wall construction. It has solar panels, a reed bed water purification system and captured rainwater from the roof to flush toilets and wash the distribution lorries, making this large building more sustainable than most.

The process of covering a roof with turf, succulents and other plants is not a new one. In the Northern Scottish Isles and parts of Scandinavian, Iceland and North America, early settlers used turf when building materials were scarce.

Over the past 5 years, turf roofing has become increasingly popular around the world. European countries, Japan and North America are embracing this ancient technique aware of the ecological advantages. Our growing awareness of global environmental issues is changing the way we think and therefore build our homes and industries.

A living roof will insulate, reduce noise, provide a natural habitat for insects and wildlife as well as being a great space for growing plants and where possible to use as a garden. A green roof will also help increase the life of a flat roof, absorb rainwater and prevent flash floods.

Whether it's a commercial or residential build or even your garden shed, a green roof is not only sustainable it looks beautiful too.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on June 7th, 2007