A living roof to encourage biodiversity and installed by Cityroofs is a key feature of the new environmental Isis Education Centre at The LookOut, Hyde Park in London. The new 400m2 eco-friendly building, designed by David Morley Architects, sits above an existing Victorian reservoir and is made from a lightweight green oak timber structure. In a location with such a big density of trees, the concept of a tree house emerged quite early on in the design process. This idea developed into a building inspired by trees, in which the structure is akin to tree trunks and branches, with a roofline that mimics the curve of a tree canopy. Working with Dr Nigel Reeve, Head of Ecology at The Royal Parks, living roof specialists Cityroofs installed the roof membrane over the gently curving timber plywood substrate, then covered it with crushed brick and soil forming a ‘brown roof’ to maximise colonisation by local flora and fauna. The choice of a brown roof was motivated by the aspiration to blend the building with the landscape, make it a habitat for invertebrates and birds, and help to preserve and potentially enhance the biodiversity of the Park. Self-seeded plants are now already well-established on the roof. The notion of the building as an interpretation of a tree also makes it a sustainable learning tool for children. All the materials used have been carefully chosen to stimulate curiosity and encourage children to touch and interact with the building. The Isis Education Centre is a partnership project between The Royal Parks and the Royal Parks Foundation - the charity for London’s eight Royal Parks, which raised the majority of the funds for the centre and chaired the project. The education centre will tackle the need to encourage city children to explore nature and the environment, outside the classroom. It offers an all-year-round, hands-on, learning experience for primary and secondary school children and also features nature trails, a dipping pond with underwater endoscopes, a mini-allotment, butterfly bank, lightning tree and mini-beast habitats. Cityroofs work closely with designers to deliver ‘Complete Elevated Landscapes’, whether for roofs, podiums or balconies. They provide accessible and attractive external areas for enjoyment and play; SUDS to reduce flooding and satisfy new legislation; enhanced biodiversity and green spaces for our cities to breathe; reduced carbon footprint with better thermal performance; and transformation of unused areas into real assets, maximising land-use. The company offers a wide range of innovative products and systems including all types of living roofs and walls, planting and water roofs. It specialises in decorative concrete and stone paving, decking and other hard surfaces, as well as seating, street furniture, lighting, photovoltaics, fencing and fall protection systems. Even heavy-duty paving systems for rooftop vehicle access and parking are available. More information from: www.cityroofs.com.
