Green Roof Iceland

The popularity of green rooftops has spread throughout europe over the past several years in large part due to their positive environmental attributes.

Green roof iceland.

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. 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. Moreover the expansive full height windows and glass walls bring all this beauty inside the residence as well. Modern lightweight green roofs emerged from research and development work centered in germany in the 1960s and 70s.

30 of iceland was forested when it was settled mostly with birch. Oak was the preferred timber for building norse halls in. The roofs are traditionally built with water tight birch bark and topped with soil and sod which helps to hold the birch bark together. Green roofs offered a pragmatic solution to the exceptionally sodden environment with islanders adapting to the natural environment instead of the modern idea of repelling or rejecting it.

Modern green roofs might use water protective membranes and. Green roofs have been established for centuries in iceland and also for over 30 years in europe germany being a leader in this technology. 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. When seen from above the image is harmonious.

It is a concept that has increased in popularity in canada and the us in more recent times. Green roofs can be found on a variety of public and commercial buildings. 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. An archipelago located halfway between scotland and iceland the islands experience an average of 300 rainy days a year.

Icelandic turf houses icelandic. It allows the house to blend in becoming a natural part of the surroundings.