NBS on Buildings

“Solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience (...)“ –European Comission.

„Nature-based Solutions leverage nature and the power of healthy ecosystems to protect people, optimise infrastructure and safeguard a stable and biodiverse future.“ – says the IUCN.

Heat waves, heavy rainfall, biodiversity loss – climate change is affecting the Global North with an unexpected intensity. Especially urban areas appear to be particularly exposed. Mitigation of and adaptation to these effects is required. Green infrastructure on buildings appears to be an easily implementable and esthetically attractive measure with various benefits.

Green roofs and Green Walls are nature-based solutions (NBS),  adding more natural features and processes into cities, towns and on buildings, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions.

Performance of Green roofs and walls

Dynamically innovate!

There are many good reasons for greening up buildings and infrastructure. Over 30 years of research in Europe have shown, that buildings perform better with green on top, outside and inside. The positive effects are also measurable on city quarter level.

On the technological application level we distinguish between extensive and intensive greenery and specialized applications such as biosolarroofs or shading climber curtains.

Nature on buildings provides habitats for birds and pollinators- being surrounded by green is as well good for people:

  • Stresslevel low
  • Enhanced Creativity
  • More Productivity
  • Enhanced concentration
  • Faster recovery
Surface temperature & latent heat/urban heat island reduction
..activating the thermal shield..
Evaporative cooling & air moisturing
..inserting photosynthesis sequence..
Water storage, stormwater backing and Greywater use ​
..filling H2O tanks..
Biodiversity and Step-stone habitats for plants and animals​
..staring soundtrack: chiiilp-bzzzzz-quaaaak..
Health and wellbeing of humans​
..dear passengers, relax now..
Air cleaning, fine particle binding and CO2 capture​
..target detection: climate adaptation and mitigation..
Noise reduction and protection​
..activating noise cancelling function..
Biomass production​
..crops are ready to be harvested..
Insulation and enlarged life span of the building skin​
..ultimate shield activated..
Enhanced performance of solar energy plots​
..optimization sequence progressing..
Profitability and substitution of tech (living sun shading and Airco)​
..automatic savings initiated..

Selected NBS Types on roof level

Low-weight, low cost, low maintenance solution. Limited substrate debth. Ideal for refurbishment and large scale areas. Succulent and herb mix vegetation. Can also get improved easily (e.g. for biodiversity).

Designed to fulfill biodiversity targets. Carrys biodiversity elements such as sand, stones, hilly substrate, dead wood locks, water. Diverse vegetation, succulents, herbs, grasses, shrubs.

Everything is possible- garden, recreation, landscaping, playground, growing plants, traffic. Main vegetation shrubs and trees. Can be full coverage or partially (high beds, pots), on roof level or also on ground (above garage). Automatic irrigation.

Combines extensive greenroofs with solar energy production (PV) or solarthermal. Panel placing can be diverse (single row, Butterfly, vertical), panels diverse (semi-transparent, both-sided, etc.)

Designed to fulfill biodiversity targets and does so including PV or solarthermal. Carrys biodiversity elements such as sand, stone, hilly substrate, dead wood, water. Diverse vegetation. succulents, herbs, grasses, shrubs.

Adding people on the productive roof. Shadow space under PV pergola can be used for recreation, outdoor office, production of plants. Full cover or part cover. For existing terraces also an option. Automatic irrigation.

Selected NBS types on wall level

Self-climbers or trellis climbers, growing in substrate/improved soil next to facade. Coverage takes time. Durable and rather low cost and maintenance. Water supply concept necessary.

Plantainers following specific multi-layer built-up attached to facade. Vegetation range trees, climbers and shrubs. Can contain trellises. Facade must carry weight. Saves space at street level. Automatic irrigation.

Back-ventilated systems. Can be combined with insulation. Available also pre-grown. Vegetation herbs and grass. Many different systems. Automatic irrigation. Coverage and performance immediate.

What is the challenge about?

Understanding that different technologies come along with different performance portfolios, choices must be made. Doing so, questions may arise:

  • What are the existing frameworks and greening objectives on national, city, neighbourhood and building scale?
  • What performance values are desired and how are they prioritized?
  • How do costs for investment and maintenance meet gained benefits, what greening approach offers best value for money?

I start consulting my clients with their different scale projects by assessing their service need. I look at projects from different aspects, for example: innovation potentials, strategy, knowledge, optimization potentials, technology and performance/cost.

How does Vera help?

In case added value can be generated for a client, I suggess cooperating with my Partners:

GreenPass (R) project performance assessment, EU Taxonomy and certification

Gentian Biodiversity mapping and monitoring services, TFND reporting

GRÜNSTATTGRAU greening Check and partnership/innovation network (Austrian scale)

vfi farming and production potentials

BOKU Institute for Soil- and Bioengineering  for research and monitoring related activities

Looking For A First-class
consultant FOR NBS on buildings?

Get in touch now.

Vera will share her expertise and knowledge to help your ideas grow!