What Is Roofscaping

Writen by Geoff Iles

One often forgotten area of landscape design is coming under renewed focus with the introduction of a new design concept to Australia known as Roofscaping. Simply put Roofscaping involves the introduction of design elements onto rooftops being created in urban developments.

The trend towards medium and high density urban living shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Many urban developments are built without giving consideration to the need Australians have to stay in touch with the fun of outdoor living. Another important factor is that whilst many people need the access to the employment opportunities and services the big cities provide they do not want to lose touch with being part of our natural environment. This is where the Roofscaping concept originated from.

Recently at Mirvac's Yarra's Edge Apartment project in Melbourne's Docklands precinct Roofscaping was introduced into the overall design. The 6th floor Podium Level design was done by Edaw Pty Ltd and incorporates hardy plants with decorative recycled glass and pebble paths from Melbourne based company DécoR Pebble. The beautiful area can be seen from many areas of the development and makes a wonderful departure from the traditionally drab and uninteresting roofs in most apartment developments.

Another project currently in the planning stage, EJE Group, is the Hunter's Wharf Project in Sydney. The project design uses an outline of the Parramatta River made entirely by using DécoR Glass and DécoR Pebble products. Geoff Iles owner of DécoR Pebble believes imagination is the only limit to what can be done with urban rooftop spaces.

DécoR Glass and DécoR Pebble provide ideal light weight permanent coloured aggregate for use in the greenscaping of urban high-rise roof decks. The 5-10mm glass & pebble aggregates can be loose laid or mixed with an adhesive epoxy or acrylic resin to permanently hold them in place. The application is usually carried out at a thickness between 20-30mm over the drainage system. The coverage rate of a 5-10mm aggregate is approx. 20kg per M2 @ 10mm depth.

Whilst the Décor Pebble range of manufactured aggregates offer a more cost efficient product, the 36 colours of crushed recycled Décor Glass aggregates offers designers a greater range of vibrant and soft colours to choose from. The coloured recycled glass is becoming increasingly popular with environmentally conscious designers.

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