Scientific testing of Knauf Insulation’s Urbanscape® Green roof products is taking place in two locations in Sydney. Knauf Insulation is a major supplier of insulation products and mineral fiber based growing media around the world. Their new Urbanscape® Green Roll growing media designed for Green Roofing and Landscaping is now available in Australia. The product is made from pure rock mineral fibres (no additives added) providing excellent water retention for different landscape applications. Offering significant improvements at a lower cost and weight than typical green roof systems.
Test panels on planting day provide information on various growing media depths, weights and Knauf Insulation products, installed and monitored by Evolvement Pty Ltd at Andreasens Green Nursery.
A series of test plots have been installed to monitor storm water management and plant species performance. The test sites are available for inspection by prior arrangement at Andreasens Green Nursery at Kemps Creek. An additional test site is located in Berowra Sydney. Data has been recorded since April 2017, it shows important advantages for development sites and retrofitting existing roofs.
Roofs using Urbanscape®Green Roll provide significant stormwater control and retention. Peak discharge is greatly reduced and water exiting the system is noticeably cleaner. Green roofs and landscapes using Urbanscape® growing media will require far less water to flourish. Plant species information is available to provide the most sustainable outcomes. Green roofs reduce energy consumption, cool cities, whilst providing sound attenuation and biodiversity habitat.
These test panels will enable landscape architects, architects, developers and engineers to specify green roofs in NSW for specific storm water retention. Structural engineers will know the green roof loads. Contractors will have clear instructions and training on how to install the Urbanscape® products on their projects.
If you submit your building details to Evolvement Pty Ltd, a comprehensive model for your development can be provided for any Australian location, showing peak discharge stormwater and energy conservation based on your roof profile and planting scheme and you can even require UHI reduction effect
Native planting and Sedum planting trial plots at the Evolvement office site in Berowra. These plants are growing in 40mm of growing media and Urbanscape®. The saturated weights are less than 60kg per M2. Plots receive very little water and are flourishing after on 4 months of winter. Berowra rainfall is similar to Sydney CBD
Evolvement Pty Ltd has established itself as a scientific organisation, which specializes in Green Infrastructure. Director Robert Griffith has spent the past 10 years working in various countries on green roof, water management and vertical garden projects. For further information contact Robert at rgriffi8@gmail.com, 0468 787 071 and www.evolvement.sqsp.com.au .