Exploring green roofs

Yesterday, during my coffee time with Sen Manny Villar, I managed a brief conversation with his sons Mark and Paulo. I knew their father wouldn’t have enough time to listen to some amateur Filipino environmentalist talk about his pet project, so I decided to take my chances with the younger Villars. Gracious and articulate, both men listened patiently while I spoke rapid-fire about a project close to my heart: green roofs.

I first learned of the concept of green roofs through a special feature in National Geographic. (Story and inspiring photos here.) A long-time concept implemented in Europe, green roofs are now catching on in many other nations, including the United States and China, which would do well to reduce their carbon footprints, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand.

What are green roofs? In a nutshell, a green roof (or “living roof”) is any building roof that is covered with plants and soil, designed in several layers to provide rainwater absorption. There are many reasons why we in Manila would want to consider green roofs:

• Green roofs insulate buildings, protecting them from the searing heat of the sun. When done in an urban area on a large-scale basis, green roofs can greatly regulate city temperatures.
• Green roofs absorb rainwater, enabling us to either tap the rainwater to maintain the vegetation of the roof or to collect the rainwater for reuse in other areas of the household or business.
• Green roofs are a solid solution for floodwater reduction because of the absorption effect. In a highly urban area like Metro Manila, green roofs can significantly reduce flooding!
• Green roofs are great for wildlife. Butterflies and bees are drawn to green roofs.
• Green roofs look wonderful. Who hates gardens?

The green roof industry in the Philippines is in its stages of infancy. The largest green roof project in the country thus far is the SM North EDSA Sky Garden. While not technically a green roof through and through, the Sky Garden is a roof garden that boasts of an environment-friendly storm water infrastructure; it catches rainwater that is then recycled for use in mall maintenance. Among green roof’s main champions are Engineer Andrew Lo, of Amyda Constructions and Eco-Roofs Inc., and ecologist couple Christoph Ranzinger and Agnes Calda, who are generally recognized as the builders of the first green roof in the Philippines. (Curious about what their home looks like? Click through here.) I don’t know of other green roof contractors in the Philippines, but if you find your way here, please contact me and I’ll link to you. (And Engineer Lo, if you read this, call me! We can attempt to do it ourselves, but green roof experts generally advocate seeking professional assistance. I can’t even climb onto my roof, much more greenify it!)

I cannot stress the importance and significance of green roofs as an integral part of a successful urban planning and management solution. We live in a temperate climate: green roofs are a practical solution to reducing the heat of our cities and the amount of floodwater generated during typhoon season. We have limited urban space to build new parks and gardens, but we have so much space literally on top of us contributing little to the solution.

Government can also assist in helping the green roof revolution. Recently, Quezon City legislators passed an ordinance advocating significant real estate tax reductions for owners whose homes are green roofed, as well as 30% of the roof area of all new buildings constructed to be dedicated to natural landscaping and/or green roofing; the ordinance awaits the signature of Major Sonny Belmonte. (Hopefully, the Villars will consider green roofing legislation in Las Pinas too.)

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8 Responses to “Exploring green roofs”

1. Vera says:

   July 18, 2009 at 6:02 am

   I hope SB signs that ordinance soon! I live in an area where flooding always happens. If we can find a way to do this without costing too much, I’m sure the rest of the family wouldn’t mind having a green roof.

   Hi Vera!

   They cost a bundle in the USA, and will be more expensive pa rin than traditional roofing materials here, but I think it can be done. I travel through three cities – Quezon City, Manila, and Makati – to get to work, and my car braves many flooded areas. I, too, hope legislation can help make it possible.
2. Badet says:

   July 21, 2009 at 12:34 am

   Very informative post! I didn’t know that the Sky Garden has an environmental purpose pala, and that the mini-waterfalls at the front is used to recycle the water. I thought they made the Sky Garden only for the mall’s aesthetic purposes. I hope more establishments and even residential areas will follow suit. A reduction in taxes like in QC is a great incentive!

   Hi Badet! Thanks for passing by!

   SM has been more and more supportive of environmental causes, compared to so many other malls. (Or at least they’ve been more aggressive in terms of promoting it.) I’m thinking of making a supplementary post to that.
3. steph the plumber says:

   August 3, 2009 at 8:52 pm

   Does landscaping the roof of your house like in the post actually improve the insulation properties of the roof then?

   This does not look like a diy job, does the building need to be designed and built with this in mind from the offset?
4. arthur rufo says:

   August 12, 2009 at 4:27 pm

   I am a landscaper who would like to bring my trade into a much higher plane. It is not because that there is clamor for clinging your trade with an advocacy just to gain media mileage but when I look at my children, and thinking that when they are all grown-ups, would they still be enjoying green open spaces? Progress seems to be “concretizing” our immediate environment. And since I do landscaping, this is the most “elementary” thing I can do so far. Besides, I worked for a multi-national construction company before (Jardine Davies Inc. 2000-2005) as their technical adviser for their waterproofing products lines. I believe this is the most basic and best combination yet to pursue any GREEN ROOF PROJECT. I hope I can be of help.

   Hello, Arthur! Thank you for passing by.

   I’m glad you’re interested in learning more about or pursuing green roofing as part of your skills set. Time Magazine recently identified the “green revolution” as the fourth most lucrative career industry in the world. I’m not quite sure roof landscaping is the same thing as green roofing, but if anyone out there would like to consider having their roofs greened, they at least know they can contact you (through your email address, clickable when people mouse over your name in the Comments box).
5. Andrew Lo says:

   August 15, 2009 at 11:16 am

   Hello Ganns,

   I am the Andrew Lo who you mentioned above. It is good to see young people like yourself who are engaged in the issues and also care about the environment. I recently had a segment on the “Mel and Joey” show about green roofs. Take a look here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AACcnOgMfRs. Pls checkout my website if you have time: http://ecoroofgarden.multiply.com/. Or give me a call: 782-3914, 0917-329-6073.

   Cheers!

   Andrew

   Hello, Andrew! What a pleasant, pleasant surprise!

   Thank you for your kind words, and for leaving your contact information. I definitely will set up some kind of appointment with you so my readers and I can learn more about green roofs and the movement you’re spearheading in the Philippines towards a more earth-friendly urban environment. Thanks for passing by!
6. Leo Libradilla says:

   September 6, 2009 at 12:58 pm

   Hello Ganns,

   Such a great opportunity to link with you,It was very striking to read this certain column. I am Leo Libradilla, 4th year Agriculture student..I am doing my social research right now on the suitability and perceptions of green roof application in Cebu City..
   Last year, I was in Netherlands sponsored by the sisterhood program of cebu city and haarlemmermeer in Netherlands for 6 months for my practical training in landscaping with emphasis on Green Roof as an integral part of Agricultural studies.I had also the chanced to visit green roof establishments in Netherlands and Germany..

   I am just interested if i could spare some favors from you for an additional resource persons who has connections with green roof asidewith andrew lo that i had just acquired from your site..

   Green Roof is precisely unquestionable in various aspects of advantages..Hope we can also have collaborative effort in promoting green roof as a tool in mitigating the ever increasing problems of environment specifically the global climatic change..

   you can post your mail at leo.libradilla@gmail.com

   Hope to hearing and cheers!

   Hi Leo, I’ve blasted you an email. Check it out. :)
7. Jose Javellana, Jr. says:

   September 30, 2009 at 10:48 am

   Hello Everyone. I just wish to inform you that the new roof garden system that uses the new European Design Engineering has been made available by Specserv Inc. since 1995. The oldest roof garden system with this technology was installed at the 5th floor deck of Rizal Bustle in Rockwell Center. The garden is still existing. This new technology introduces a roof garden that is first and foremost leakproof. It is also lightweight and low maintenance. It does not only store 16 liters of water per sq.m. it also has a storm drain management capability. It is meant to color your world green for a very long time. The next roof garden of this kinde installed by Specserv Inc. was at the Medical City Hospital. When you go through the main entrance the garden you see is of the european design engineering. It has been there for at least five years and is on top of the basement parking. Take note, no leaks. Lately, Specserv Inc installed the green roof at Greenbelt 5 and the Nuvali Retail in Laguna. We invite you to know more about our roof garden system and other green label products and systems at http://www.specservinc.com

   Thank you very much.
   JOSE JAVELLANA, JR.
8. jay says:

   October 26, 2009 at 12:37 pm

   hi ganns,

   I am very interested in roof gardening and actually want to convert our roof. i just hope the cost for making one is not that expensive. Is there a company in Davao City that specializes in this? Thanks!