Green Roof Retrofit Design Model
A green roof is a roof system designed to promote the growth of various forms of vegetation on the top of
buildings.
Differing from a roof garden, a green roof can also support various forms of renewable energy and water collection technology to assist in supplying power and water to the occupants of the building.
Although a green roof is only one element of a building, it is extremely important when considering the long-term sustainability of our buildings and their impact on the environment.
Through an environmental grant from the City of Sydney, Pyrmont Progress Inc. coordinated respected green roof design professionals Tone Wheeler from Environa Studio and Jim Osbourne from Material Landscape Architecture to undertake the Green Roof Retrofit Design Model project.
The project has delivered various resources and tools to promote green roof installation on new and existing buildings which is a positive first step to encourage the uptake of green roofs in the LGA.
The Green Roof Resource Manual outlines the benefits of green roofs, the various types of green roofs, landscape and architectural design considerations, sustainable water and energy technologies, maintenance issues, and case studies. The manual and other green roof resources can be can be downloaded below.
To showcase the potential benefits of green roofs in Sydney, a concept design and 3D computer generated fly-through model was prepared for a green roof installation on an existing apartment block in Pyrmont. The fly-through can be viewed below.
More on Green Roofs
- The City of Sydney is a member of Green Roofs Australia. For more information on green roofs visit http://greenroofs.wordpress.com
- There are various companies which specialise in green roofs and walls. If you are interested in building a green roof, search the internet for green roof installers in your area.
- Installation of green roofs in the City of Sydney will require lodgement of a development application (DA). Written details and plans need to be submitted with a DA to enable impacts to be assessed. In residential areas privacy / overlooking impacts need to be considered if the green roof is to be used as active space. To find out more, call the City of Sydney on 9265-9333 and ask to speak to an area planner.
- For a list of green roofs in the City of Sydney LGA, click here
Downloads
Green Roof Resource Manual
- Green Roof Resource Manual Full Version.pdf | PDF 4.5Mb
- Green Roof Resource Manual Summary Version.pdf | PDF 2Mb
- Chapter 1. Contents and Introduction.pdf | PDF 217Kb
- Chapter 2. Advantages of Green Roofs.pdf | PDF 555Kb
- Chapter 3. Types of Green Roofs.pdf | PDF 214Kb
- Chapter 4. Landscape Design Considerations.pdf | PDF 832Kb
- Chapter 5. Architectural Design Considerations.pdf | PDF 104Kb
- Chapter 6. Water Technologies.pdf | PDF 115Kb
- Chapter 7. Sustainable Energy Technologies.pdf | PDF 122Kb
- Chapter 8. Maintenance.pdf | PDF 127Kb
- Chapter 9. Financial Considerations.pdf | PDF 45Kb
Other resources
- Australian Plants for Green Roofs.pdf | PDF 102Kb
- Consultants Recommendations.pdf | PDF 161Mb
- Showcase Landscaping Plans Pyrmont Building.pdf | PDF 1.4Mb
- Green Roof Case Studies.pdf | PDF 2.4Mb