Multifunctional roofs
Multifunctional roof systems allow people to live in a healthy environment, while enjoying benefits of blue-green infrastructure.
Blue-green roofs for future-proof cities.
Multifuntional roof systems allow people to live in a healthy environment, while enjoying the ecological and economic benefits of blue-green infrastructure.
Space for green infrastructure is disappearing in ever denser cities all around the world. Yet, cities feature vast areas of unused and unexploited rooftops. These empty spaces can be reclaimed for stormwater management in combination with plant growth by creating blue-green roofs and roof gardens.
Rooftops can be transformed into functional landscapes or roofscapes, designed to conserve and generate energy, manage rainwater, create space for biodiversity and space for people to enjoy or any smart combination thereof.
With this approach, roofs are no longer just there to keep out the rain. They become an integral and functional part of the building they are on and the city they are in. A transformation from unexploited capital to functional space.
From grey to healthy green.
In order to deliver ecosystem functionality, vegetated roof systems need water. Too often water is missing in conventional green roofs during prolonged dry spells in summer; exactly when the urban cooling capacity of vegetated roofs is needed most. Based on scientific peer reviewed research by KWR Water Research Institute we have evolved the conventional green roof to a naturally functioning blue-green roof. By incorporating significant stormwater retention volume and capillary functioning in the design, full smart water management is now possible. Improving ecosystem functionality in water sensitive design.
Strong benefits for rooftops.
Water is available for the plants when they need it, naturally, on-demand and most importantly without the use of energy. Just like in nature.
The total amount of water needed for irrigation can be reduced without hampering plant growth, because capillary irrigation does not experience surface evaporation losses. Independent research by STRI in Australia, the UK and the Gulf region showed irrigation savings up to 60%.
The reliable capillary availability of water for vegetation enables the landscape architect to choose from a wider array of plant species. Permavoid Project Smartroof 2.0 in Amsterdam scored highest on flower count and bee-species diversity in an ecological study including 21 different green roofs and roof gardens in the summer of 2018 and 2019.
A reliable connection to attach complementary elements to the Permavoid capillary system is available with the addition of the PermaLock in which bolts can be screwed. No more drilling into the roof to attach fencing, solar panel systems or wooden decks.
Healthy city trees reduce the urban heat-island effect, but the amount of water needed to be able to actually do so is often underestimated. Without sufficient water the tree cannot grow to its full potential to provide us with his much needed services to improve city life.
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