Gardens In The Heights: The Eco-efficient Alternative

Human pressure on natural ecosystems is increasingly unsustainable. One cause is the growth of urban land, which according to the Spanish Sustainability Observatory is twice what is necessary: ​​it increased by 216% between 2001 and 2007. This new urban space was taken away from agricultural, forest and wetland areas.

For this reason, one of the premises of sustainability is the compact city model: it does not devour as much territory as the extensive urbanizations and scattered houses, and it allows interventions on the rooftops, such as building new houses or creating orchards and gardens.

The house by the roof

The architecture studio La Casa por el Tejado, founded by Joan Artés, specializes in making old buildings in the urban center grow in height by taking advantage of the rooftops.

It is something that has always been done, but they have revolutionized the system: the structure of the new eco-efficient homes are prefabricated modules that are produced in a warehouse with all the finishes and facilities. They are then transported and lifted up to the flight of the building with heavy duty cranes. Once on the roof, the assembly takes just one or two days.

The modular panels are light materials used s (250 kg / m ² compared to 1000 kg / m ² of conventional construction), resistant and designed for maximum energy rating (A +).

Wood is the star material because it meets all these requirements and achieves a 60% savings in environmental impact compared to conventional construction.

According to Gerardo Wadel, director of R&D and Quality of the architecture studio, in Spain there are 4,000 buildings that could be intervened, which would have a notable energy impact.

The design proposed by the study reduces electricity demand by half thanks to cross ventilation (less air conditioning) and other bioclimatic elements and smart solutions for natural lighting. In addition, they have solar thermal energy to heat sanitary water and photovoltaic panels can be installed.

Unique houses that touch the clouds

Architecture on built buildings offers spectacular results all over the world.

• London

Up to 41,000 homes could be built downtown using rooftops.

An example is the Roof Garden Apartment, by the Tonkin Liu architecture studio in collaboration with Richard Rogers. The two-storey exterior structure is covered with climbing plants that give a green and natural image to the whole.

• Rotterdam

The unique project of Didden Village, a design by the MVRDV architectural studio, stands out: two separate houses for the members of a family in the shape of Monopoly houses and painted electric blue. With the terrace, they are 165 m2 in the same blue (pavement, flowerpots, walls, doors, windows and roofs).

• New York

Its rooftops are full of surprises. Like a small cube with a loft structure designed by Werner Aisslinger and transported by helicopter; a Cape Cod-style cottage (18th century) on a building in the East Village for three million euros; and even a Victorian mansion on the roof of the Penfield Manufacturing CO factory.

• Paris

This type of construction dates back to the seventeenth century. They are currently promoted by the city council, since the city is urgent to increase the number of available homes and reduce energy consumption. The performances usually raise two levels with wooden structures and their external appearance blends in with the building-host.

Cities with green roofs

Those responsible for city councils are beginning to be aware of the great value of rooftops in fighting climate change. With green roofs, it is possible to compensate up to 50% of the carbon dioxide that is emitted into the atmosphere, the building is better insulated and energy savings are achieved.

The roofs have a thermal insulating pavement and then an ecological green roof with vegetation. Plants of the genus Sedum are very common , perfect for dry climates. Only a thin layer of substrate is required, about 12 centimeters.

Public buildings are the best targets to start this transformation. The Mercè Rodoreda of the Pompeu Fabra University turned its roof into a green space. And the Madrid City Council has launched a plan to “re- naturalize the city” with which these initiatives are supported.

Other examples to follow:

• Toronto (Canada) was the first to pass legislation that has created 1.2 million square meters of green roofs, with annual energy savings of more than 1.5 million kWh.
• France requires by law to project gardens in the flight of new buildings.

You can also cultivate in the heights

Neighbors can create a landscaped area on their rooftops using flowerpots and flowerbeds with plants and even some small trees that grow to about 80 cm deep, such as olive or lemon trees.

You just have to be careful with the weight: never more than 300 kg per square meter. In addition to fruit trees, we can grow potatoes, lettuce, chard, onions. ..

Annie Novak, co-founder of Brooklyn’s Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, pioneered bringing orchards to New York rooftops and has published The rooftop growing guide (www.rooftopfarms.org).

In Spain, the Barcelona-born Joan Carulla started his garden on the heights 30 years ago, taking advantage of the solid foundations of his building and has turned his roof (262 m2) into an edible orchard.

Own vegetables for the menu

Many hotels, such as the Wellington in Madrid or the Casa Camper in Barcelon a, grow fresh food on their rooftops with which they supply their menus.

The Wellington plants 35 varieties of plants (red thistle, strawberries, black tomato, peas …) in 300 m2, and launched into the experience following the trail set by hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan (New York)

Hospitals with green roofs

According to studies, patients recover faster if they have eye contact with a garden or park; favors the nervous system and reduces stress.

The 7,500 m2 Olson Family Garden at St. Louis Children’s Hospital (Missouri, USA) was one of the pioneers in creating hospital rooftop gardens.

In Spain, the La Paz University Hospital in Madrid has El Jardín de Mi Hospi for children and their families. And the Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid has its garden in the heights.