{"id":1379,"date":"2024-07-15T13:18:09","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T13:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sempergreen-international.com\/us\/?p=1379"},"modified":"2024-08-08T09:34:15","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T09:34:15","slug":"green-renovation-solution-to-climate-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sempergreen-international.com\/us\/blog\/green-renovation-solution-to-climate-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Green Renovation: Sustainable Solutions to Climate Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Green renovation: what are the opportunities and possibilities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Green renovation is important for the city’s climate adaptation. Why? Greenery has a cooling effect, greenery reduces flooding and greenery increases infiltration capacity, which can also combat drought. By identifying the various problems caused by climate change, we show the opportunities and possibilities for green renovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Extreme rainfall -> collect and retain water on the green roof (where it falls first)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We are facing increasing challenges with extreme weather. Intense downpours, powerful storms and prolonged periods of drought and heat are headed our way. In addition, the cost of protecting land from flooding is high. Extreme weather can also lead to shortages of drinking water and food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

To reduce flooding caused by extreme rainfall, grey roofs can be fitted with green roofs. For rainwater management, special green roofs have been developed that can retain excess rainwater for long periods. Thus, rainwater is collected and temporarily stored where it falls first. The water is then discharged to the sewer in a delayed manner, preventing flooding at street level. This type of green roof is often called retention roof, Purple-Roof or blue-green roof<\/a>. The Purple-Roof, which can also be applied to existing roofs with slopes, has been extensively tested in and thus a proven green roof construction for rainwater management. About half of all roofs are flat roofs and most of these flat roofs are currently unused. So there are great opportunities here for collecting rainwater precisely where it actually falls. The big advantage of a Purple-Roof is that it is a lightweight green roof system. This allows it to be applied on existing buildings and thus for roof renovation. This type of green roof also complies in general with the local water board’s or municipality’s water regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"green<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Heat stress in the city -> green wall or green roof offers cooling effect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With increasing global warming, heat stress in cities is becoming an ever-greater problem. In the past 130 years, global temperatures have already risen by 1 degree. If greenhouse gas emissions continue at the same rate, the global average temperature will continue to rise. This warming will not only shorten winters, but also trigger the growing and flowering season earlier in the year. These changes have far-reaching consequences for both humans and nature. Habitats of animals and plants shift due to higher temperatures, which can lead to the extinction or migration of species from their original habitats. At the same time, climate change can actually increase some habitats. Well-known examples of this are the permanent establishment of the Asian tiger mosquito or the Asian hornet outside Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there are also dangers for people in high urban temperatures. Heat can cause symptoms of fatigue, difficulty concentrating and shortness of breath. And for people with cardiovascular diseases, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases. When the outside temperature gets too high, the body has more trouble dissipating heat and risks overheating. This is especially dangerous for the elderly or people with underlying conditions, according to research by the Dutch RIVM:<\/a> 250 people die every year due to heat, 31% of which can be attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study ‘The Heat-Proof City’ by the University of Applied Sciences of Amsterdam shows that 10% more greening leads to half a degree less heat in the city. A simple way of greening petrified surfaces in the city is by adding a green roof<\/a> or green facade<\/a> to existing buildings. Green retains a lot of moisture and therefore cools the immediate environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The application of greenery to petrified surfaces is therefore of great importance for the city. In the image below, taken with a thermal camera on a hot summer day, you can clearly see the temperature difference between a green and a non-greened\/ petrified surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These images were taken on 14 August 2023. Below is a graph of the weather conditions on this day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In fact, it is not only outside in the city that it becomes more pleasant when there is a green roof or green facade nearby. For the indoor climate, a green roof or living wall also provides a more pleasant environment. The air conditioner does not have to work as hard, which also leads to energy savings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An additional benefit of greenery is its positive effect on biodiversity. Green roofs and green walls provide habitat for insects and small birds, promoting biodiversity in urban areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Poor air quality -> plants in green facade or green roof purify air<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Climate change not only warms the air, the quality of the air we breathe also deteriorates significantly on hot days. This is because there is more ozone and more pollutants, pollen and mold in the air on hot days. Reduced air quality has health implications, think of respiratory problems or allergies. Infectious diseases also get more space in warmer and more humid climates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plants are known for their air-purifying properties. Plants extract CO2 from the air and convert it into oxygen. Thus, they naturally create healthier air quality. The more plants, the better the air quality worldwide. Applying a green fa\u00e7ade to a building has a great effect on the air quality in its immediate surroundings. Thanks to the high plant density of a SemperGreenwall, 1m2 of green wall removes 2.3 kg of CO2 from the air per year. In addition, this one square metre produces as much as 1.7 kg of oxygen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, when undertaking a facade renovation, choose to install a green facade right away. Green walls can serve as a replacement for a building’s outer shell. This is because a SemperGreenwall is completely waterproof and water-resistant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, on the roof, Sedum plants, grasses and herbs absorb pollutants from the air. Think of particulates and CO2. So opting for a green roof is also a good idea during a roof renovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Case studies: what does green renovation look like in practice?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you wonder what green renovation looks like in practice? Below we show a number of case studies. These are just some of the many projects we have had the pleasure of contributing to over the past decades:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"green<\/figure>
\n

Gumball factory in Amsterdam, Netherlands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Designed by NEXT Architects<\/a>, the former production hall of the Gumball Factory in Amsterdam is being transformed into KBF Warehouse, a modern hotspot and workplace for creative entrepreneurs. Part of this transformation is a green roof renovation. One of the multifunctional roofs now features a 400 m2 Retention Roof<\/a>. This blue-green roof solution captures rainwater, buffers it on the roof and provides delayed discharge to the sewer system. The Gumball Factory Amsterdam is the first nominee for Roof of the Year 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo credits: Daktec<\/em>

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Expansion of existing green roof with Over Easy Solar in Dilbeek, Belgium<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this project in Dilbeek, Belgium, an existing green roof was developed into a multifunctional roof where plants and solar panels work together. Over Easy vertical solar panels were used for this purpose. This lightweight solar system is easy to apply, as it is installed without mechanical fixation or ballast. Moreover, this system has solar cells on both sides (bifacial), optimising energy generation. Applying a new system to an existing solution is also known as Retrofitting. Thanks to the vertical arrangement of the solar panels, enough space is left for greenery and any maintenance can be carried out easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo credits: Solar Batteries<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"green<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"green<\/figure>
\n

Climate-positive logistics centre of Brauerei Zum Kuchlbauer in Abensberg, Germany<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At beer brewery Zum Kuchlbauer, they don’t like half-measures. They wanted to transform their logistics centre into a climate-positive and fully self-sufficient building. And they succeeded, amongst other things by applying a SemperGreenwall Outdoor and a green roof with solar panels. With its 450m2 surface area, the green wall covers 50% of the entire fa\u00e7ade. The other 50% of the fa\u00e7ade consists of wood, a renewable resource. Collected rainwater is reused to irrigate the green fa\u00e7ade. Moreover, the living wall makes an important contribution to biodiversity in the area and the living and working environment of the employees of this regionally large employer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

FNP Headquarters Warsaw<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The green facade at the FNP headquarters in Warsaw<\/a> has well and truly proved its worth. This SemperGreenwall was installed more than 10 years ago and still the green wall grows and flourishes exuberantly. This is not only a beautiful sight for this 1930s apartment complex that has been transformed into a modern office building. Besides all the benefits of greenery, this redevelopment has also led to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n