Living roofs, often referred to as green roofs, are rapidly growing in popularity in sustainable, eco-friendly architecture.Green roofs have many economic, ecological and social benefits. Green roofs can provide rainwater buffer areas, purify the air, reduce the surrounding temperature, regulate indoor temperature, save energy and improve the biodiversity of the city. Green roofs are an integral part of regulating climate change.Here are some of our favourite examples of living, green roofs including grass turf, wild flower meadows and succulent sedums.

LA MAISON VAGUE (WAVE HOUSE) BY PATRICK NADEAU

La Maison-vague features a smorgasbord of plant varieties including wild flowers, meadow grass, sedums and other perennials. The house has a sweeping curve similar to a sine wave which makes it appear more like a hill or mound. This shape creates a seamless surface of plants on the green roof but did mean that parts were extremely steep and required special consideration for drainage, water retention and soil erosion.

MILL VALLEY CABINS – SUCCULENT SEDUM ROOF GARDENS

Different plant species of this sedum roof garden arranged in a banded pattern. These kind of plants are classed as succulents as they store a lot of moisture within themselves and require minimal maintenance.

ECOSPACE GARDEN STUDIOS WITH SEDUM OR TURF ROOFS

These buildings are highly configurable and have a strong emphasis on sustainable materials with ultra efficient specifications. One of their options are green roofs which they promote as being environmental, low maintenance and highly insulative. Above we see an example of a grass turf living green roofs on an Ecospace and below a view of the sedum plants they can also offer.