Urban Rooftop Farming

Rooftop Farm in Zuidpark, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Silvija Jakob — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 16:41:04 +0000

project profile data
Area:	ca. 32,300 sq. ft. (3,000 m²)
Year of construction:	2012
Architect/Design:	Biet & Boon, Amsterdam
Contractor:	Van der Tol b.v., Amsterdam
System Build-up:	“Urban Rooftop Farming” and “Sedum Carpet” with Fixodrain® XD 20

Project report

ZinCo_Rooftop_Farm_Zuidpark_0.pdf1.08 MB

The “Zuidpark”, originally dating from the 70ies and consisting of two office buildings was renovated completely and adapted to today’s technical standards in 2012. The parking lots in front of the complex are even equipped with a charging station for electric cars. Besides these aspects, the flat green roof plays an important role regarding sustainability. Fruits and vegetables are grown on the approximately 100 × 330 ft. (30 × 100 m) large roof. The staff of this commercial complex has the possibility to grow and maintain their own fruits and vegetables on one part of the roof surface. On the rest of the surface, vegetables are also grown and are used in the company canteen. Here the system build-ups “Urban Rooftop Farming” on the proven Floradrain® FD 40-E element as well as “Sedum Carpet” with Fixodrain® XD 20 were applied.

Even artichokes are grown in the vegetable gardens of the rooftop farm.
Floradrain® FD 40-E was applied on the raised plant beds.
The rooftop farm can be used for both, for lunch and for corporate events.

“Technoseum”, Mannheim, Germany

Silvija Jakob — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 14:38:30 +0000

project profile data
Area:	ca. 5,400 sq. ft. (500 m²)
Construction Year:	1990
Architect/Design:	Heinz Michel Architectural Office, Cologne
Contractor:	Ingo Hoppmann, Sinsheim and Motz & Kadner, Mannheim
System Build-up:	“Roof Garden” with Floradrain® FD 60

Project report

ZinCo_Roof_Garden_Technoseum.pdf287.82 KB

The roof garden of the “Technoseum” in Mannheim, formerly known as the “State Museum of Technology”, is located on the first floor roof of the building and is part of the exhibition. Originally a conventional three-year crop rotation was presented on the roof area, which later was turned into garden plots. The caretaker of the “Technoseum” maintains the roof garden affectionately so everything grows and prospers. He supplies the museum’s staff regularly with fruits and vegetables. As a basis for the green roof, first the drainage and water storage elements Floradrain® FD 60 were laid on the entire roof surface. The intensive green roof sub-strate was enriched by an additional layer of humus. The total substrate height varies between 8 and 28 in. (200 and 700 mm).

The roof area was divided into several zones and planted in different ways.
The gardener’s imagination knows almost no limitations, even pumpkins and zucchini develop excellently at theroof garden.

Urban Rooftop Farming

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 13:33:55 +0000

System Build-up “Urban Rooftop Farming” – Proven Drainage Technology for Growing Vegetables and Fruits on Roofs

The number of densely populated urban centres is increasing. More than half of the world’s population now lives in towns or cities, where undeveloped or green spaces are seldom to be found. Green roofs, as a counterbalance to this, have made the breakthrough in such densely-populated areas.

It comes as no surprise¸ therefore, that roof areas are used for the production of fruits, vegetables and herbs.

The fresher the better!

A vegetable garden on the roof offers many environmental benefits. Supply routes and emissions are minimized, as the garden is close to the consumers. Short supply routes also mean that the goods are fresher when delivered and, therefore, tastier. And, the plants filter pollutants from the air, thereby contributing to an improved climate in towns and cities.

System build-up

However, in order for market gardening to actually work in an extreme location such as a roof, all relevant factors must be taken into consideration. ZinCo has, therefore, developed the system build-up “Urban Rooftop Farming” as a permanent reliable solution. The drainage element Floradrain® FD 60 neo is at the heart of this build-up.

With 8 in. of ZinCo growing medium, this build-up is suitable for fruit and vegetables such as lettuce, onions, herbs, zucchini, eggplant, squash, cabbage, melons, strawberries and such like.

For vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, green beans, raspberries, blackberries, currants and such like a growing medium depth of 12 to 16 in. is recommended.

The amount of fertilizer and irrigation depends on the requirements of the cultivated vegetable species and on local climate conditions. The use of an organic fertilizer is recommended. To minimize the impact on the runoff avoid overfertilizing. The specific requirements of a roof location (e.g. wind, structural requirements, water run-off) must be observed when planning.

Technical Data
Build-up height	ca. 9 ¾ in.
Weight, saturated	ca. 61 lbs/sq. ft.
Water storage capacity	ca. 2.5 gal/sq. ft.

System build-up

Plant layer “Vegetables”

Growing Media “Zincoblend F”, depth: ca. 8.0 in. (ca. 200 mm) resp. ca. 12.0–16.0 in. (ca. 300–400 mm)

Filter Sheet TG

Drainage Element Floradrain® FD 60 neo

Protection Mat ISM 50

Root Barrier WSB 100-PO (optional)

Product Details

Plant layer “Vegetables”

Growing Media “Zincoblend F”, depth: ca. 8.0 in. (ca. 200 mm) resp. ca. 12.0–16.0 in. (ca. 300–400 mm)

System Substrate suitable for lawn (seed sowing or turf).

Filter Sheet TG

Thermally strengthened filter sheet of PP, highly resistant to mechanical stress, applicable especially on Protectodrain® PD 250 and on bulk material.

Drainage Element Floradrain® FD 60 neo

Highly efficient drainage and water storage element made of profiled plastic, suitable for intensive green roofs.

Protection Mat ISM 50

Synthetic fibre mat, highly resistant to mechanical stress; for use as protection layer under intensive green roofs, walkways and driveways etc.

Root Barrier WSB 100-PO (optional)

FLL tested sheet, to be hot air welded, applicable as root and rhizome protection for extensive and especially for intensive green roofs.

No product information available

Note

The system solution shown relates to the green roof build-up in particular. The roof construction itself is only shown schematically and must be planned and executed according to specialist rules for waterproofed roofs.

Examples of plants

Urban Rooftop Farming

Rooftop Farm in Zuidpark, Amsterdam, Netherlands

“Technoseum”, Mannheim, Germany

Urban Rooftop Farming

System Build-up “Urban Rooftop Farming” – Proven Drainage Technology for Growing Vegetables and Fruits on Roofs

The fresher the better!

System build-up

Diagram

Products

Product Details

Plant layer “Vegetables”

Growing Media “Zincoblend F”, depth: ca. 8.0 in. (ca. 200 mm) resp. ca. 12.0–16.0 in. (ca. 300–400 mm)

Filter Sheet TG

Drainage Element Floradrain® FD 60 neo

Protection Mat ISM 50

Root Barrier WSB 100-PO (optional)

Note