Reposted in full from The Adelaide Review, November 2009
'How serious are the government and developers of Adelaide about creating a sustainable city?
Amanda Ward spoke to several experts who would like to see a greener heart in Adelaide.
The Adelaide Central Market is an icon for locals and tourists alike, not so much for its built form but for the cornucopia of fresh produce that is contained within its heaving halls on market days.
However, viewed from above, the picture is a stark one. Acres of corrugated iron roof stretch over the building from the redbrick arches on Grote Street to the Gouger Street frontage, absorbing heat and mercilessly reflecting it back into the city environment.
It seems a shame that a building that has an internal focus on the fruits of the earth cannot have a “greener” exterior. Although the structure of the building would not support a green roof development in its current form, both final year landscape architecture student Claire Bottrall and Ben Willsmore, landscape architect and Associate at Hassell can envisage a market that is as green on the outside as it is on the inside.
Claire says her studies revealed many social, environmental and economic benefits to creating elevated landscapes within the CBD. Her final submission says that “the Central Markets provide an opportunity to develop a rooftop garden … that is centrally located, easily accessible, open to the public and already a pivotal element of Adelaide culture.”
Ben Willsmore, Associate at Hassell, prefers the term “Living Roof” rather than green roof, explaining that building owners stand to benefit from choosing this alternative style of roof through economic savings associated with reduced heating and cooling requirements, water cleansing and a reduction of pressure on the stormwater system, not forgetting the “feel good factor” for employees working in the building.
Amy Reed, a horticulturist at Hassell, adds building owners must consider what they want to achieve before embarking on what is a significant investment, albeit one that will ultimately pay for itself in energy savings and environmental benefits.
“Stormwater runoff can be mitigated by holding water in the soil profile and in the plants themselves rather than seeing the water lost to stormwater and water quality coming from the roof will also be improved.
“A green roof can contribute to reducing the heat island effect by cooling what is otherwise a harsh and hot environment. Air quality is also improved by the transpiration of the plants.
“Creating natural habitats in the “concrete jungle” will increase biodiversity in the city and specific species can be attracted by planting for certain habitat requirements. Roof gardens can also provide havens for people or be used to grow productive plants on a residential or commercial scale.”
Not only people who use a green roof building benefit from it. Occupants of buildings overlooking a roof garden enjoy a calming aesthetic far more pleasing to contemplate than the usual bristle of air-conditioning towers and expanses of tar. The plants can even reduce sound reflection and transmission from the building, lowering the volume of hubbub in a city.
Ideally, a number of these criteria can be combined and the benefits naturally follow. Structurally speaking, the decision on what sort of living roof to build will affect design choices regarding the substrate type and depth, plant choice and design. Issues such as wind strength and direction must also be taken into account as they can be amplified on a roof.
Adelaide will get its first serious look at a green roof in December when the Adelaide Zoo opens the new entrance precinct and panda development which features three green roofs and two green walls. Melbourne already has several examples of green walls and roofs including the green wall in the foyer of the Lend Lease building and the walls and roof on the CH2 building.
Overseas, the city of Portland, Oregon has embraced the green roof principle along with cities in Germany, Switzerland and Canada. Could it be possible that one day when you go to buy a lettuce at the Central Market you’ll be asked to wait while the greengrocer pops upstairs to pick it?'
Amanda Ward spoke to several experts who would like to see a greener heart in Adelaide.
The Adelaide Central Market is an icon for locals and tourists alike, not so much for its built form but for the cornucopia of fresh produce that is contained within its heaving halls on market days.
However, viewed from above, the picture is a stark one. Acres of corrugated iron roof stretch over the building from the redbrick arches on Grote Street to the Gouger Street frontage, absorbing heat and mercilessly reflecting it back into the city environment.
It seems a shame that a building that has an internal focus on the fruits of the earth cannot have a “greener” exterior. Although the structure of the building would not support a green roof development in its current form, both final year landscape architecture student Claire Bottrall and Ben Willsmore, landscape architect and Associate at Hassell can envisage a market that is as green on the outside as it is on the inside.
Claire says her studies revealed many social, environmental and economic benefits to creating elevated landscapes within the CBD. Her final submission says that “the Central Markets provide an opportunity to develop a rooftop garden … that is centrally located, easily accessible, open to the public and already a pivotal element of Adelaide culture.”
Ben Willsmore, Associate at Hassell, prefers the term “Living Roof” rather than green roof, explaining that building owners stand to benefit from choosing this alternative style of roof through economic savings associated with reduced heating and cooling requirements, water cleansing and a reduction of pressure on the stormwater system, not forgetting the “feel good factor” for employees working in the building.
Amy Reed, a horticulturist at Hassell, adds building owners must consider what they want to achieve before embarking on what is a significant investment, albeit one that will ultimately pay for itself in energy savings and environmental benefits.
“Stormwater runoff can be mitigated by holding water in the soil profile and in the plants themselves rather than seeing the water lost to stormwater and water quality coming from the roof will also be improved.
“A green roof can contribute to reducing the heat island effect by cooling what is otherwise a harsh and hot environment. Air quality is also improved by the transpiration of the plants.
“Creating natural habitats in the “concrete jungle” will increase biodiversity in the city and specific species can be attracted by planting for certain habitat requirements. Roof gardens can also provide havens for people or be used to grow productive plants on a residential or commercial scale.”
Not only people who use a green roof building benefit from it. Occupants of buildings overlooking a roof garden enjoy a calming aesthetic far more pleasing to contemplate than the usual bristle of air-conditioning towers and expanses of tar. The plants can even reduce sound reflection and transmission from the building, lowering the volume of hubbub in a city.
Ideally, a number of these criteria can be combined and the benefits naturally follow. Structurally speaking, the decision on what sort of living roof to build will affect design choices regarding the substrate type and depth, plant choice and design. Issues such as wind strength and direction must also be taken into account as they can be amplified on a roof.
Adelaide will get its first serious look at a green roof in December when the Adelaide Zoo opens the new entrance precinct and panda development which features three green roofs and two green walls. Melbourne already has several examples of green walls and roofs including the green wall in the foyer of the Lend Lease building and the walls and roof on the CH2 building.
Overseas, the city of Portland, Oregon has embraced the green roof principle along with cities in Germany, Switzerland and Canada. Could it be possible that one day when you go to buy a lettuce at the Central Market you’ll be asked to wait while the greengrocer pops upstairs to pick it?'
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