Nanyang Technological University’s Green Roof
Monday, 18th May 2009 by Alex Turnbull
Here at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, the School of Art, Design and Media stands out amongst the other campus buildings thanks to its unique approach to modern, ecologically-minded architectural practices.
Actually, despite being a 5 storey building, it doesn't stand out at all. From our satellite vantage point it blends in neatly with the surrounding vegetation thanks to the almost total coverage of green roofing.
Green roofing is the the practice of using part or all of the roof of a building to grow vegetation, and it has many environmental benefits, as well as providing excellent insulation for the building itself.
The whole building also slopes down dramatically to meet the ground, which as we can see in this photo, allows the students to climb directly onto the roof to enjoy the open space that it provides.
The existence of green roofs demonstrates a growing trend in urban spaces for buildings to use their rooftops to provide some open space for residents or employees to enjoy. Today they're used all over the world - here's the closest one to me in Edinburgh - which is easy to spot from on top of nearby Calton Hill.
Where's your favourite green roof? And yes, that includes roof gardens too!
Thanks to alternativeconsumer.
About the author
Alex has decided that his title will be Senior Vice President of Stuff.
Rockefeller Centre has some beautiful rooftop gardens.
Here in Vancouver, the main branch of the public library and the brand-new convention centre have green roofs
New York’s Rockefeller Centre: View Placemark
Vancouver Public Library: View Placemark
The Vancouver convention centre is still under construction in the most recent Google images however: View Placemark
There is another building in Singapore that has green roof. It’s the pump room of Marina Barrage.
However, the google map has not been updated yet to display the latest image.
View Placemark
San Francisco’s Moscone Center/Yerba Buena Gardens. Does that count?
Definitely!
View Placemark
In the UK there are lots of green roofs, but thanks to the weather they don’t always appear to be very green. Here’s the Rolls Royce factory in Goodwood, East Sussex, which at 32,000m² is one of the biggest green roofs in Europe.
Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra has a green roof. You can walk up there, or get an elevator from within Parliament House. At least you could last time I was there!
View Placemark
Apart from the Parliament House in Australia this is about the only example I know: the library of the Technical University in Delft, The Netherlands: https://www.googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=&c=&t=h&hl=en&ll=52.002598,4.375241&z=18 At least this one does look green!
The Canadian War Museum has a green roof. It slopes down to the ground, so you can see it. Not sure if you’re supposed to climb on it or not, though:
Google Map of Candian War Musem