The addition of a cycle park in the renovated courtyard of the St Lievens College in Antwerp, Belgium has been transformed with a healthy layer of green roof. This simple cassette green roof system MobiRoof, from Mobilane, creates a welcome green oasis amongst the grey built environment at the school.
The management team at the college wanted a clean, lush and refreshing first impression for a courtyard in need of renovation. Appearance, sustainability and a quality finish were paramount. With the installation of the MobiRoof, their wishes have become reality, with both the playground and cycle shelter renewed and refreshed with their new planted elements.
The construction of the new bicycle shed was designed and completed by Klaver Cycle Parks from the Netherlands. The bike shed has been allocated floor and low-level parking levels. The skylight at the heart of the garage provides sufficient light. More than 200-square-metres of green roof has been installed on the roof of the cycle shelter itself, courtesy of the Mobilane MobiRoof cassettes. The cassettes are suitable for both large and small projects and can be customised to fit. They are easy to install and offer full coverage from between six-eight different types of sedum plants.
Peter from the Klaver Fietsparkeren executive company is very satisfied with the green roof. “Thanks to the cassettes, the green roof is perfect; it was easy to install and visitors can enjoy the immediate visual impact.”
In addition to the aesthetic aspect, a green sedum roof has many other benefits. The lifespan of the roof is twice that of bituminous roofs. Research from the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands has shown that a green roof provides cooling in the city but collects rainwater, helping to reduce the potential flood risk. Its plants help increase biodiversity in urban environments, often providing a haven for wildlife and insects.
The green roof plants help to filter particulate matter and harmful pollutants from the air, improving the air quality. This particulate matter (PM10) is absorbed from the air by the plants within, contributing to a cleaner, healthier atmosphere around the school buildings and communal areas.