Greening buildings provide for biodiversity, and create beauty for humans (biophilia). Equally important is that they provide ecosystem services, like water management, cooling, health and improving air quality.
Its great to be playing a role in technological advances including:
Data for green roof performance
Green roof growing media (soil)
Stormwater management
Protection of building asset value and overall cost
Biodiversity in terms of plant species
Biophilic design (how we create nature to improve our mental state)
Evidence for these advances is gained by research and testing. I work with a team of experts from Europe, the USA and here at Western Sydney University.
Data for green roof performance
We live in a digital world and big data is everywhere. Green roofs work very differently around the globe, based on the climate, rainfall, size and plant species. On the technology side, we at Evolvement have been advising software developers on Australian conditions. These developers use working greenroof laboratories to measure roof performance. They write algorithms and visual output to assist the building industry to understand green benefits. Our work at Evolvement has insured that this software provides each of Australia’s Capital cities with available modelling tools for the particular climate. We are testing performance on live projects in Sydney. We then provide Authorities with knowledge on how their roof will perform stormwater management, energy efficiency, cooling and biodiversity outcomes..
The new technology involves innovative green roof buildups (how the growing media for plants is installed). We have both new growing media and water holding/drainage systems that improve plant growth. Plant species too play an important part, particularly with biodiversity outcomes. Food crops provide yet further advantages.
Green roof growing media (soil)
Our Leading Australian soil scientists at Sydney Soil Laboritory (SESL) have evaluated properties to improve green roof performance in a year long study, and came up with the following recommendations.
It is desirable for Greenroof media to have a low saturated bulk density to comply with building codes strict weight restrictions. Rigid mineral media keeps is structure and porosity over extended periods of time. However, the mineral based products such as scoria, styrofoam, and perlite can dry out easily. (I would add ash to this). The consequence of achieving a lightweight media which won’t slump and maintains structure is drought. Low water holding media can be problematic on green roofs where the media is exposed to direct sun and wind promoting transpiration and drought. This study assesses whether a product such as Urbanscape Flocks (a mineral wool) may be used to improve plant growth through improving the water-holding properties while also resisting degradation and slumping of the media.
The addition of Urbanscape Flocks provides structural support to soil and a gives longterm advantage. In SESLs opinion the Flocks product provides soil structure with significant reduced slumping over time in comparison to the lightweight media without Flocks. The Flocks also allows maintained air-filled porosity without significant reduction in oxygen levels. The addition of Flocks at a rate of 20- 30% to the lightweight media blend,, initially improves the water holding properties of the mineral based blend. The water-holding capacity improves with time as the media settles, however not at the expense of the air-filled porosity.
Evolvement can advise and supply Urbanscape products see Green roofs
Stormwater management
Technological advances for Australia have been made working with Green Roof Diagnostics in the USA on detention roofs, they call them Purple Roofs, in Europe they are called Detention roofs. These roofs provide an additional 2 buildup layers for water storage and controlled release.
Working with Purple roof here in Australia, we will use some state of the art measuring equipment to monitor performance. We can then design a roof for your application, based on climate in your location.
New technology provides efficient and effective cost control. Long lasting materials are important as access is often difficult in green roof situations. The way green roofs are designed for detention provides developers an instant cost saving on detention tanks and allows you with more development space.
Purple roof laboratory
Protection of building asset value and overall cost
Waterproofing is a key worry for builders and developers alike. Overseas there have been vast improvements in waterproof technology. All are now available in Australia. Green roofs can increase the life of buildings by reducing temperature flucuations on the structure and providing protection for waterproofing. Using the right materials is important as the installation process. An inspection and test plan is something I prepare, that insures the membranes are not punctured during or after installation. Warranties are also available from reputable companies.
Leak detection systems are recommended even, if proper waterproofing is installed. They offer an insurance policy for our clients that last the life of your roof. An example for me, where this system proved useful, was when some tradespeople had come in and fitted a structure to my green roof in Redfern, Sydney. They had breached the waterproofing by drilling and bolting. The leak detection system could check the roof and find precisely where a leak occurred. In this case, we needed to re-waterproof only 1M2. If we had no leak detection system, we may have had to remove the entire green roof, a cost prohibitive exercise! Leak detection systems are not expensive. Different configurations are available from the simple to complex, with back to base monitoring. With these systems there is no need for flood testing your roof either. See Leak detection
Irrigation advances. Irrigation has taken advantage of the digital age very well. Electronic devises have web connections. Irrigation can automatically adjust to weather predictions and moisture levels. Fail safe technology will alert water supply problems.
When working with green buildings, it is important to work within the constraints of infrastructure. Waterproofing and maintenance costs are of interest to asset managers and owners. Engineers need to understand what loads are present and how stormwater will be managed. Evolvement help our clients through this maze.
Green walls. New green wall systems have been developed that require less maintenance. They also present well with our harsh climates on Australian architecture. See Green walls
Biodiversity
As an ecologist, I count and report on flora & fauna diversity and density. We compare land areas and give them a rating to determine restoration actions. We monitor local provenance and introduced species. For green roof plant species, I have travelled many kilometres to observe and develop plant groupings suitable for all areas in Australia. See Plants . We have been collecting, propagating and trialling these plants for over a decade. Evolvement can help you with plants for your green roof.
There is quite a bit of information on green roof fauna. Green roofs are particularly good at providing forage for bees, which makes it very popular to have bee hives on green roofs. Habitat creation can be included in the green roof for birds, bats, a range of invertebrates even fish to complement endemic and introduced flora. Specialised technology and software is available to monitor frog, bird and bat sounds.
Food too can play an important element in green building design, with indoors and outdoors used to produce sustenance for occupants.
Biophilia (how we create nature to improve our health)
The successful application of biophilic design result in a wide spectrum of physical, mental and behavioral benefits. Physical outcomes include enhanced physical fitness, lower blood pressure, increased comfort and satisfaction, fewer illness symptoms, and improved health. Mental benefits range from increased satisfaction and motivation, less stress and anxiety, to improved problem solving and creativity. Positive behavioral change includes better coping and mastery skills, enhanced attention and concentration, improved social interaction, and less hostility and aggression. (Stephen R. Kellert, Elizabeth F. Calabrese 2017)
Plants play an important role on Biophilic design. However there is much more for the designer to consider in undertaking a landscape that satisfies these requirements. Biophilic design must nurture a love of place. Biophilic design incorporates various patterns, they including:
Visual Connection with Nature
Non-Visual Connection with Nature
Thermal & Airflow Variability
Presence of Water
Dynamic & Diffuse Light
Material Connection with Nature
Mystery
Awe
To include the above philosophy in your green building design, give Robert a call on +61 468 787 071 or rob@greenlook.com.au.
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