TERRACE / ROOF GARDEN

Ingardening, aterraceis an element where a raised flat paved or gravelled

section overlooks aprospect. A raised terrace keeps a house dry and provides a
transition between the hard materials of thearchitectureand softer ones of the
garden.
Terrace gardens come in all shapes, forms and designs and is possible in a
home, multi story building, low rise building, hotels, restaurants, corporate
offices, institutes and in other establishments as well.

A green roof system is an extension of the existing roof which involves:

a high quality water proofing system

root repellent system, a drainage system,
a lightweight growing medium
plants.

Design Considerations
Protection of the integrity of the roof and structure
Positive drainage
A long-term, lightweight planting medium
Irrigation for optimum plant growth and sustainability
Adaptation to the climatic conditions
Selection of hardscape materials (paving, structural materials, site
furnishings and water as a design element) and their special use and
requirements as part of a roof garden system
Provisions for utilities
Public safety and security
Ease of maintenance

Protection of structure
A structural engineer should always be consulted prior to roof garden
landscape design and construction.
The roof must be completely covered by an elastomeric material and protected
by a concrete topping slab.

Planting Provisions
The existing roof drainage system is adequate to support the installation of a
roof garden.
Planting media and the drainage course should provide for fast percolation of
water and be free of fine silts that can clog the filter blanket and block drainage.
Planting media should contain sufficient mineral content to stabilize the
plantings and maintain soil mass.
On a regular basis soils require topdressing to replenishment decayed organic
material.
Drip irrigation is the prefer method of providing moisture to the planting.
Climatic Considerations
Provide adequate soil mass to support the desired plantings.
Make appropriate provisions to replenish soil moisture and water in features to
combat the effects of evaporation.
Use windscreens to mitigate the effects of wind on the users.
Plant trees in areas that will cast the maximum amount of shade.
Avoid using paving that increases the amount of glare.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS
It is estimated that green roofs will last up to twice as long as conventional roofs.
It reduce air-conditioning costs 25% to 50% in single story buildings.
This not only allows for ongoing cost savings but an initial reduction in the size
of the required air conditioning equipment

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
reduces heat gains by 95% and heat losses by 26% compared to a
conventional roof.
reduces indoor temperatures 6 degrees to 8 degrees during warm/hot
weather.
Soil, plants and the trapped layer of air can be used to insulate for sound.
Sound waves that are produced by machinery, traffic or airplanes can be
absorbed, reflected or deflected.
1 m 2 of grass roof can remove up to 2 kg of airborne particulates from the
air every year.
A square meter of roof can absorb up to 375 grams of carbon from air.
retain the rainwater, also moderate the temperature of the water and act as
natural filters for any of the water that happens to run off.