Retrofit Brown Roof Case Study - Tower Hamlets, London, UK.

Client: Tower Hamlets Council

Roof size: 150m²

Installation Date: November 2006

Location: Zander Court Clubhouse, Mansford Estate, Tower Hamlets

Brief:  A "demonstration" retrofit biodiversity roof designed to increase building insulation without incurring major building works costs and the sowing of seeds of plants indigenous to the area.

The building had a requirement for additional insulation to the roof. Incorporating this as part of a brown roof build-up provided an economic and ecological solution.

Brown Roof Build-Up :

The brown roof was installed onto an existing flat roof with a functioning waterproofing system that had been flood-tested.

• 50mm polyurethane insulation (closed cell) boards
• 20mm deep Oldroyd XV Green Xtra reservoir sheet >49% recycled
• 1mm Oldroyd 110g geotextile filter fleece
• 80mm growing medium 100% recycled
• Seeding with the ER1 Living roof mix
• Inspection hatches to cover and protect rain water outlets
• Pebbled areas to form perimeters around inspection hatches
• Ducting and skylights

All materials used to construct the brown roof were sourced with the following criteria:

• A high level of recyclability
• Low carbon footprint
• Sustainable supplies
• To encourage establishment of indigenous plants to the local area

Before Installation (2006)
During Installation (2006)
Completed Brown Roof (November 2008)
Completed Brown Roof (Summer 2009)
Brown Roof Case Studies Brown Roof on Industrial Storage Unit (Barking, London) Biodiverse Roof (Hackney, London) Retrofit Brown Roof Incorporating Insulation Board (Tower Hamlets, London) Retrofit Brown Roof With Disabled Acces (Toxteth, Liverpool)