green roofs

[Ravnis]

anyone heard of green roofs? ran across it by accident. Seems that in big cities in the US it is being established to lower the overall heat of the city. They basically cover the whole roof with growbeds and grow all kinds of plants. The roof is protected by acid and plants naturally filter carbon dioxide from the air and other pollutants. An interesting effect is a 26% drop in heating and cooling requirements of the buildings. This could be great, put your growbeds on top of your house for leafy crops and have all that area for harvesting. JUst wondered if this has been tried as this is the first I've heard about it. Course, I just found out about aquaponics and its been around years.

[Hamish]

I have done a bit of research on it.

When I was looking at the idea of building a house from recycled shipping containers I intended to use a green roof.

I even found a lady in rural Victoria that had done just that. Her container house had a great green roof to supply fresh veges as well as provide thermal insulation for the house.

Here is the most amazing thing I have seen on the green roof concept - a whole city in china that has been designed.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/william_mcdonough_on_cradle_to_cradle_design.html

[Mantis]

I've looked into green roofs. they help to hold the water so it doesn't go straight into the storm drain. it is also said that it can cool a building by several deg. F. there was also some talk of shipping container homes. we are planning one for the farm we are starting. they are like working with legos. i have a friend who built a blacksmith shop in one.

[Hamish]

Hi Mantis,

If you are considering building a house from shipping containers I suggest buying a few plastic model train shipping containers. THey allow you to stack them and visualise the finished product.

I have a few I could list on ebay and post to you if you would like them.

Cheers,
Hamish

[Murray]

Hi Hamish, are you posting from your new location ?

[Hamish]

Hi Murray - yes I have the satellite internet dish installed and it is all up and running! Yahoo!

[Outbackozzie]

Prefer Google :D

[ElfNori]

Here is the most amazing thing I have seen on the green roof concept - a whole city in china that has been designed.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/w...le_design.html

That was great. I've been working on green architecture for quite a while. That's the most intelligent presentation I've seen yet.

Nori