Four Amazing Green Roofs From Around the World

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our times and many countries have made pledges to reduce their carbon emissions to zero within the next few decades. Installing more green roofs is just one place to start and there are many benefits to be gained. Green roofs improve air quality, reduce carbon dioxide and improve the energy efficiency of a building - plus they’re beautiful to look at!

There are plenty of stunning green roofs to enjoy around the world, so see below for just four of our favourites.

City Hall - Chicago, USA

Chicago constructed a green roof atop its City Hall all the way back in 2001, to demonstrate the positive effects green roofs have on reducing urban heat and improving air quality. The roof covers an area of 3,550 metres and is home to 20,000 plants from 150 species. The plants chosen for the rooftop are endemic to the area, which means they have adapted to survive Chicago’s extreme cold winters and humid summers.

Nanyang Technological University - Singapore

The university’s School of Art Design and Media is a striking sight, with two sloping green roofs that swoop to a 45 degree angle. Each roof is covered by a lawn, which improves the building’s insulation and functions as a communal outdoor space. The roof uses two types of grass, zoysia matrella and ophiopogon, which are watered using harvested rainwater.

Biesbosch Museum - National Park De Biesbosch, the Netherlands

Studio Marco Vermeulen were tasked with renovating the Biesbosch Museum and they needed to find a way to marry the old building with the newly designed wing. Their solution was to surround the building with earthworks, covered with a roof of grass and herbs. Waterways were also dug around the museum, turning the site into an island.

Vancouver Convention Centre - Vancouver, Canada

This amazing roof is home to over 400,000 native species of plants and 60,000 bees. A variety of birds and insects have also taken residence, which improves the overall biodiversity of the area. There is no public access to the roof so it’s able to function as a complete ecosystem with natural drainage, thanks to the sloping design.

If you’re looking to install green roofing in Gorebridge or the Central Belt, get in touch with the experts at B & D Roofing and Building. Our stylish green roof solutions are made of durable, climate-appropriate plants and materials and they’re a great way to introduce greenery if you don’t have a garden. We offer extensive, intensive and biodiverse green roof solutions, so give us a call today or contact us online to find out more.