mediterranean green roofs - Harpo spa

enefits and advantagesmediterraneangreen roofs

Within Harpo, the seic greenroof division team has theobjectives of spreading aculture of bringing city dwellerscloser to nature, by raisingawareness of issues such asthe protection of biodiversity,lowering temperatures,reducing CO 2and otherpollutants, protecting thepermeability of surfaces,reducing energy requirementsand improving liveabilityof the urban environmentfor both the public as awhole and the individual, bypromoting sustainable buildingtechniques, such as greenroofs.A newmindsetTrieste: the city of the Mediterranean green roofGeographically, Trieste is located in one of the meeting points for the mostvaried species in the world. No fewer than three contingents of species:Mediterranean, Illyrian and European overlap so much here that they makethis area one of the richest in terms of biodiversity. In this context, Triestehas the potential to become the reference city of the Mediterranean greenroof and constitute a “natural bridge” between the more mature continentalexperiences and the burgeoning Mediterranean ones.Style House/Scarpa

seic verde pensile, mediterranean green roofsThe Mediterranean green roof:a new frontierIn light of current technological development,continental weather and climate conditions haveencouraged the spread of green roofs in CentralEuropean countries, with systems which, in our climates,are often difficult to apply.After several years of experience in Italy, we have becomeaware that, in the Mediterranean climate, the approach to greenroofs can and must be different and unique, due to both thedifferent weather conditions and the different benefits that can beobtained.Here, in fact, green roofs can play an important role in thermalinsulation in the summer, less relevant in the north. The more violentrains necessitate increased absorbency of the surfaces. In addition tothis, the specific aesthetic culture of the Mediterranean must also beconsidered.Through the experience gained so far and the results obtained throughresearch carried out at Italian research institutes, Harpo is now able tooffer technologies and systems designed to better reflect our climate, whilecontinuing to invest in the development of new, increasingly advancedsystems.Systems for the Mediterranean climate have to offer high performance interms of passive cooling in the summer and high water availability and at thesame time reduce maintenance costs and water requirements in relation totypical Mediterranean plants.The great technical vocation of Harpo has enabled us to develop a wide rangeof accessories for even the most demanding technical specification details,with particular attention paid to safety devices for maintenance.Harpo provides considerable training and information to specialised installers,in the belief that a good system can be enhanced only through proper use.

Economic benefitsIncreased property valueThe creation of buildings that are more comfortable and moreaesthetically pleasing and the possibility to increase usable surface areaincrease the value of the property. For hotels, shops and businesses,roof gardens create great opportunities to undertake projects which offercustomers a better image and a higher level of comfort.Duration of the waterproofing elementOne of the critical factors affecting the useful life of the waterproofingsystems is the stress caused by daily changes in temperature. On anexposed roof, the daily ΔT°C can easily reach values of 50-60 °C. Incontrast, under a green roof, in equal conditions, the daily ΔT°C at thewaterproofing level can be reduced to almost 0, increasing the durationof the membranes.Energy savingSeveral Italian and foreign universities are developing mathematicalmodels to calculate the energy savings that can be obtained, especiallyin summer, in buildings with roof gardens. Concrete examples haveshown that in summer, savings can reach 30%.Better performance of photovoltaicpanelsIt is well known that the performance of electricalconductors is reduced at high temperatures.A green roof keeps the roof temperaturebelow 30-35 °C, thereby reducingthe loss of efficiency of thephotovoltaic panels.

Building advantagesLightweightOur technological systems for roof gardens are designed to minimisethe permanent loads on the floors. 15-20 cm of substrate are usuallysufficient to create a lawn on a roof.Accessories and technical detailsThe quality and duration of a green roof depend heavily on the care withwhich construction details such as wells, draining ducts, fittings with theroof’s technical bodies, safety devices etc. are built.Continuous drainageA wide range of technological solutions make it possible to createcontinuous drainage above the waterproofing, reducing the numberof construction details, optimising the layout of the downspouts andmaintaining the ability to create mixed-use surfaces, from pedestrianroutes from the heavy vehicular paving.Root careIf the waterproofing layer is not anti-root tested according to UNI ENISO standards, our systems are integrated with special membranes thatperform this specific function.

Reliability and safetySpecialised gardenersCreating a roof garden is the exclusive responsibility of specialistswho devote themselves with passion to this particular gardeningapplication.One of our most stringent guidelines is represented by the carefulselection and training of highly reliable partners. Our trustedinstallers are equipped with our stamp of approval that is only issuedafter a period of training and after some works have been carried outperfectly.WarrantiesOn request, Harpo systems are guaranteed with regular warrantycertificates.Technical supportOur Technical Department offers designers and installers prompt,detailed solutions through technical reports, specifications, costanalyses, studies of construction details and assistance withinstallation.Use of recycled raw materialsMost Harpo technological system components are produced fromrecycled raw materials.

HARPOA Group which, with the Sandtex, Seicand Rialto brands, is able to offerthe solution to all problems regardingwall decoration and protection,restoration and structural rehabilitation,waterproofing, civil and environmentalengineering, roof gardens andmany other innovative solutions.Printing and Graphics Filacorda Udine - Design APG Trieste - Illustrations Style House/Scarpa - Photos APG Trieste/HARPO Archive - 3.000 - 04/2011HARPO spa • seic green roof divisionvia torino, 34 • 34123 trieste • italiatel. +39 040 318 6611 • fax +39 040 318 6666seic@seic.itwww.seic.itwww.mediterraneangreenroofs.comThe Quality Management System of HARPO spa meets the requirementsof UNI EN ISO 9001:2008. Certificate No. IT03/0851Total and/or partial reproduction of the data and images contained in this brochure is prohibited without the authorisation of HARPO spa.