Green Roof Iceland

The shared gardens are protected from the cold northern winds by the exterior of the building and the green roof acts as an extension of the courtyards and the nearby park.

Green roof iceland. Green roof basics green roofs also known as vegetated roofs have been in existence for thousands of years and have been used for winter insulation and summer cooling. An archipelago located halfway between scotland and iceland the islands experience an average of 300 rainy days a year. Green roofs have been established for centuries in iceland and also for over 30 years in europe germany being a leader in this technology. 30 of iceland was forested when it was settled mostly with birch.

The green roof is a defining feature for the project. Torfbæir were the product of a difficult climate offering superior insulation compared to buildings solely made of wood or stone and the relative difficulty in obtaining other construction materials in sufficient quantities. When seen from above the image is harmonious. Modern lightweight green roofs emerged from research and development work centered in germany in the 1960s and 70s.

It is a concept that has increased in popularity in canada and the us in more recent times. Oak was the preferred timber for building norse halls in. Greenroof technology was first experimented with in germany over 30 years ago inspired by the rugged sod roofs and walls that prevailed in iceland for hundreds of years. Green roofs can be found on a variety of public and commercial buildings.

It allows the house to blend in becoming a natural part of the surroundings. A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems. Icelandic turf houses icelandic.

The popularity of green rooftops has spread throughout europe over the past several years in large part due to their positive environmental attributes. The roofs are traditionally built with water tight birch bark and topped with soil and sod which helps to hold the birch bark together.