sustainable building rooftop activations
how can rooftop activations contribute to a sustainable green building plan? From apiaries to gardens, solar panels and more, here are some inspiring examples
CookFox offices Bee hive apiary, NYC, usa - sustainable building rooftop apiary
CookFox is one of the world's leading sustainable architecture and biophilic design specialists working at scale. Based out of New York City, they are on the cutting edge of environmentally responsible architecture and aim to design healthier urban landscapes.
Starting with their own rooftops, they have increasingly begun to introduce apiaries - bee hives - where conditions and space allow.
Bees are an example of what’s referred to as a ‘keystone species’ as they are massive pollinators providing an essential cog in local ecosystems, even in dense urban environments.
By dispersing pollen for plant reproduction they help to maintain biodiversity and counteract the risk of habitat fragmentation - as agriculture and urban planning tend towards the destruction of species rather than their protection.
As a way to lead by example, CookFox houses two large hives on the terrace of their corporate office. They also introduce apiaries to their development locations such as the Solaire residential apartment building located in New York City.
La Pista500 rooftop garden, turin, italy - example of green building design
Fiat's former car factory located in Turin, Italy was recently crowned with a new rooftop garden designed by Camerana&Partners, completing tis transition from a historic car factory to a hub for the local community. Originally this was where Fiat cars would be tested on the rooftop track before being sent out to their customers.
Today, this 42-acre rooftop has a very different purpose as much of the asphalt track has been sowed with a meadow of 40 different local plant species. A smaller, less prominent car track still exists however, albeit for test driving electric cars only.
The space is occasionally used as an art installation space or venue for yoga classes, a perfect example of green buildings giving back to the local community through culture and wellness.
Thammasat University Urban Rooftop Farm (TURF), Thailand
Thammasat University in Thailand implemented a rooftop green building solution to improve their climate resiliency in the face of rising impacts of climate change. As urban sprawl consumes territory that previously played an active role in a complex local ecosystem, they are no longer able to absorb stormwater runoff for example.
This example (shown above) is the largest urban rooftop farm in Asia, with over 22,000 m2 of modern landscape architecture brilliantly combined with traditional agricultural knowledge. Combined, it becomes a green roof with elements of urban farming, solar panels for green energy and plenty of green public space for nature connection and an opportunity for biophilia.
Inspired by traditional rice terraces, we see a cascade of different levels to the rooftop that form a detention lawn to slow down, absorb and store rainwater while simultaneously putting it to good use as irrigation for plants that produce food.
Stormwater runoff is filtered through each layer of soil (removing harmful pollutants) and later saved up in four retention ponds, for rooftop irrigation and future use, meaning nothing goes to waste. This makes it up to 20 times more efficient than a normal concrete rooftop whilst also helping to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Finally,. solar energy is used to pump the irrigation system and additionally contribute to the building’s electricity needs.
The self-sufficient structure acts as a space for the public to enjoy nature, a food source, a water management system, an energy source, and an outdoor classroom.
Fifth & Tillery, Austin Texas - green rooftop architecture
This example by Gensler Architecture of using photovoltaic panels as a functional rooftop structure shows where green architecture can go in the future.
Owned by the CIM group, this three-story mass timber office development located on an ex-industrial estate required additional shade for the plaza below, by introducing a canopy of photovoltaic panels, the benefits were therefore two-fold - integrating a source of renewable energy and improving occupant wellbeing.
A tree-lined central courtyard "rain garden" is intended to resemble the "native ravine microhabitats of Central Texas" while louvres with integrated fans were positioned around the courtyard to improve airflow and ventilation in the outdoor spaces. Effectively, this begins to ‘turn the traditional office building inside out’.
The solar panels on stilts are a fundamental piece of the arrival experience above the entrance. This canopy combined with the additional panels on the building's rooftop can provide up to 600 kilowatt-hours (kW) of power for the sustainable building.
Culpeper restaurant, London - green rooftop garden
Responding to the largely under-used rooftop spaces that populate the centre of London’s dense urban landscape, The Culpeper pub team decided to convert their space into one for food production as a way to contribute back to the local community.
Far from trying to replace the work of farmers in the rural areas around the capital, the 500 sq ft space is more about improving the quality of urban life, just a touch. Rooftop produce may appear in the form of a garnish, something in a pickle or as part of a dish, rather than dominating the ingredient list.
Typically it is smaller, younger plants such as herbs, salad leaves and vegetables growing in mushroom compost reused from mushroom farms mixed with horse manure and top soil. Kitchen leftovers are combined with soil in a wormary to keep the soil fertility alive.
Although the produce is not certified organic, the growing methodology follows organic standards, with no chemicals on the soil or plants.
This is an example of how a hotel, restaurant or pub can use a garden area to reduce organic waste, produce on-site ingredients (with a little extra effort) and provide guests with a direct connection to nature - biophilia.