Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel, Barcelona/Spain

Trees are increasingly used as an architectural design feature in the landscaping of roofs and podium decks. The selection of suitable tree species, adequate roof substrate and, above all, the local site conditions with regard to wind pressure and wind suction are essential. Steel grids are often used to anchor trees on rooftops by securing the root balls to the grid wit...

Flat green roofs are almost a given in contemporary architecture. However, there are still far too many clients and architects who are reluctant to green steep roofs. Commissioned by Aral AG, the architect Manfred Beier courageously designed a curving green roof in the shape of a wave for a motorway service station. Juergen Quindeau, roofer and roof gardener, together wi...

In matters of ecology and sustainability, designers and architects are likely to pay increasing attention to roofs. The huge potential here is illustrated by the residential development, Noltemeyer Hoefe in Braunschweig, with its 5,780 m² of green areas, terraces, pathways and driveways, where cars are parked out of sight in the underground garage. The key feature is tha...