residential weekend course

living roofs

venue: Redfield Community, Bucks

This course will look at the why, how and what of living roofs and living roof installation. There is growing interest in the use of green roofs on buildings, and also a growing number of people who wish to do part or all of the installation themselves, with the least possible impact on the environment (in terms of materials) and of course on the pocket.

The course will be run by John Little of The Grass Roof Company, and Dusty Gedge of livingroofs.org and the Green Roof Consultancy

The course includes:

  • why living roofs: the benefits to the environment and to the homeowner
  • dispelling myths: looking at some of the common misconceptions about green roofs, such as maintenance, fire risk, cost, loads etc.
  • basic living roof installation principles: protection of building integrity, drainage, irrigation / non-irrigation, soils, what plants can be grown
  • architectural details: guttering, edge detailing, waterproofing issues
  • an in-depth look at soil types: commercial, those that can be collected locally, and from recycled sources
  • a detailed look at what types of plants can be planted in what kind of soils and soil depths

The focus will be very much on how to do it yourself, how to source relevant materials and even suggestions on how to collect your own seeds.
There will be a practical workshop to construct a small demonstration green roof.

dates: see 'book online' below

more on living roofs


how to book:
  

if you can't open the booking form, you need Acrobat Reader - it's free
arrive:
  
Friday evening at 6.30 for dinner at 7.30
depart:
  
Sunday after lunch (served at 1.00)
directions:
  
click here for directions by bicycle, public transport and car
what to bring:
  
pen and notebook; towel; work clothes or overalls; boots / wellies (meals and bedding are provided)
NO DOGS PLEASE
let us know:
  
if you are vegan or have any food allergies, or any special needs
accommodation:
  
3-4 people sharing single-sex rooms
prices:
  
£190 high-waged; £160 waged;
£130 student / unwaged
Refundable up to two weeks prior to course (minus £30 admin fee)
No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course
car sharing:
  
visit our car sharing forum to offer or request a lift
 

 

 

 


this roof is covered in sedum, a low-growing succulent; sedum is the most common plant for living roofs, especially on commercial buildings, as it is drought-resistant, and doesn't need a very deep substrate, making it suitable for lighter roofs

 





 

 


course tutor John laying rolls of sedum on top of a crushed brick substrate on a bike shed at a local school

 

 




 


this is a roof not a flower meadow - you can tell by the flue pipes sticking up through it; it's course tutor John's roof, 10 years after installation, during which time he's done precisely nothing to it - no watering or cutting etc, but each year there is a beautiful wildlife habitat with a range of grasses and flowers