European Landscape Architecture Practice 2000

abstract
3.3. Technical conditions
Apart from the usual problems during construction with green roofs – having
many crafts persons working on them at the same time often destroying the built
up areas –, there were many different opinions and standards in the ways the
architects detailed the roofs. The requirements to make them water tight and the
understanding of how water would flow on a roof made the design process in the
working drawing phase very complicated with the offices.
My former office developed an extensive and intensive roof layer build up standard,
which was used throughout the whole project with various alterations.
This build up tried to overcome the general problems encountered with intensive
and extensive roofs providing them with the ability of water retention and water
diffusion. Apart from that there was one other major obstacle: the water run off
from the extensive green roofs was used to feed the lake (Lago di Piano) toilet
flush- and artificial irrigation system of the site. The soil we used had to be organic
and nutrient free to avoid algae growth in the lake.
3.4. Examples of gardens and roofs
Show different green roofs and gardens with explanations about the concept and
technical conditions we encountered during the planning and construction phase.
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