Engineering challenge
Organic Roofs’ first pitched green roof was the Boathouse at Avon Tyrell by HPW Architects. The plans called for the roof to almost appear to float, and so the project saw us work with waterproofing partners Hertalan to develop an innovative anti-shear system that enabled us to secure the growing medium and plants on the roof while preserving the aesthetics of the building.
Beyond flat roofs
Since working on this project we have developed our ShearStop design and undertaken multiple pitched green roof projects, successfully achieving up to 45 degree sustainable growth. Most recently, our project overlooking a fishing lake near Milton Keynes was featured on the Channel 4 Sarah Beeny property programme.
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- Level Cafe (Brighton) © James Farrell – Building Green
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- Boathouse – Avon Tyrell
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- Holland Park – London
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- Tingrith Lakes – Milton Keynes
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- Holland Park – London
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- Aluminium edging
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- Boathouse – Avon Tyrell
Design considerations
Achieving viable growth on a pitched green roof is possible, and the results can be fantastic but there are a few things that need to be considered before its attempted:
- Additional cost: the measures to keep vegetation in place require more engineering and labour time on site
- Irrigation: pitched roofs should have a permanent irrigation system in place
- Moisture-retention: because pitched green roofs are very free draining we recommend a thicker moisture retention product is used underneath the growing medium
From concept to delivery of our wild flower roof, it's been a pleasure. I've found the team to be professional with excellent communication through-out the project. The final product looks fantastic and fits into the environment perfectly. We've no hesitation in recommending Organic Roofs. Thanks for a wonderful job!Melanie - our client | Milton Keynes
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