Green Roof History Timeline

Reinhard bornkamm a researcher at berlin s free university publishes his work on green roofs.

Green roof history timeline.

The history of green roofing goes back thousands of years and is beginning to take off with a vengeance as we look at new and innovative ways to make the world around us more sustainable. History of green roofing. The history of green roofing goes back thousands of years and is beginning to take off with a vengeance as we look at new and innovative ways to make the world around us more sustainable. History in ancient times green roofs consisted of cave like structures or sod roofs covered with earth and plants commonly used for agriculture dwelling and ceremonial purposes.

History the earliest green roofs can be traced to the hanging gardens of babylon of the seventh and eighth centuries. The origins of green roofs began thousands of years ago. Green roofs began to gain attention and popularity throughout europe. Reinhard bornkamm is a researcher at berlin s free university who is internationally known to be the father of modern green roofs.

He published his work on green roofs in germany and marked the beginning of increased further green technology research. Using vegetation on roofs dates back to the earliest known structures where plants such as moss grass and bark gave a primitive form of insulation to keep the house cool in the summer months and warm in the winter. They were considered as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world were constructed around 500 b c. A famous historic green roof is the hanging gardens of babylon one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

This 33 500 square foot green roof was built atop a kohl s retailer in chicago ill in 2005. Corporate america has helped bring the green roof trend to the united states. Later green roofs spread across portions of northern europe primarily in germany in rural and agricultural applications. Wal mart target the gap and the ford motor company have planted green roofs on some of their buildings.

History of green roofing. Landscape architects gerda gollwitzer and werner wirsing publish roof areas inhabited viable and covered by vegetation an early treatise on modern green roofs. Because our history with green roofs began way back in the mid 1970 s in stuttgart germany we have had the privilege to collect government and trade publications for almost four decades. These early shelters provided protection from the elements good insulation during the winter months and a cool location in the summer.

Turf covered roofs also have been used in areas throughout the middle east for centuries. The styrofoam base of this government sponsored green roof remained functional until it was replaced in 1990. One of the seven wonders of the world the hanging gardens of babylon are perhaps the first example of draping our buildings in flora to make them more appealing. Here at green roof technology we are proud to house the largest green roofs archives in the united states.