Planted Roof Construction 

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Background: 

• Historically planted roof structures were common in the extreme climates of Scandinavia, where the thermal stability of these roofs helped insulate their structures. 

• Recently they have become very fashionable with environmentally conscious design and in countries like Germany it is now compulsory for all public buildings to either have solar or otherwise planted roofs.  

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Technical information: 

• Planted roofs are either supported on waterproofed concrete or timber roof decking. Pitches are generally quite shallow. 

• They can be made thinner and hence less heavy by using hardy shallow rooted local species of bulbs and succulents.   

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Benefits:

• Planted roofs are visually unobtrusive. Helping to integrate buildings with their landscapes. 

• They help reduce the carbon footprint construction by maintaining the carbon sink of the site.  

• Planted roof improve the insulation of the roof structure.

• Planted roofs reduce the maintenance of roofs as they help maintain a stable.

• Reduced temperature extremes of the building structure, reducing its continual movement and protecting the waterproof flayer from harmful u-v rays.  

• Absorb pollutants and reduce the urban heat island.

• effect of developments helps reduce the air conditioning loads on buildings. 

• Slows and reduces the loading on storm water systems. 

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Company Track record/examples of work: 

• Alts & Adds to House McMichael, Scarborough, Cape Town, 2022-23 

• House Morgan - Klipspringer, Hoedspruit, Mpumalanga 2021 

• House Olivier, Krom Valley farm, Clan William, 2019  

• Alts & Adds to House Hobbs in Rondebosch, Cape Town, 2018  

• House Botes, Agte Paarl, Western Cape 2014. 

• Alterations & Additions to House Bezuidenhout, Pinelands Cape Town, 2012 – 2013 

• 2009 – 2011 House Eglin, Gqunube Green Eco Village, East London 

• Upgrade of Nieuwoudtville Caravan Park, Namaqualand, 2004-2007                                                          (Won Silver 2005 in the Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction in the Africa Middle East Region) 

• House Cohen, Noordhoek, Cape Peninsular, 2004  (unbuilt) 

• House Doumen – Jakalsfontein, Cape West Coast 2003 (unbuilt) 

• Muslim Women’s Foundation’s cultural Centre, Phillipi, Cape Town, 1993 (unbuilt).