Green Roofs in Sustainable Landscape Design

Citation

Waheed, Z. (2009), "Green Roofs in Sustainable Landscape Design", Facilities, Vol. 27 No. 13/14, pp. 560-560. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632770910996388

Steven L. Cantor, an established landscape architect, practitioner and teacher has come up with this most remarkable, up‐to‐date and beautifully illustrated book on a topic that leaves a positive impact on communities worldwide in terms of helping the sustainability agenda and providing greener spaces inside polluted, cramped city centres. This is a timely book as the significance and use of green sustainable roofs for improving energy efficiency, recycling waste water and providing green relaxing spaces in city centres is fast being recognised across Europe and America. Green Roofs in Sustainable Landscape Design explains the contribution of this technology in helping reduce wasted spaces and innovation within building design while bringing substantial benefits to clients committed to sustainable design.

The author provides a most thorough overview of the need for and usage of the green roof technology and the complexity of the design process involved. He then goes on to explain the specifics of plant materials, required irrigation and specifications in a beautifully illustrated, thoughtfully structured book. Seventy case studies from across Europe and America are used to explain the varied nature of work undertaken by landscape architects across different cultural and social backdrops. The concepts of space management and design are seamlessly brought together in this practical, informative and inspiring book. The thorough, beautifully illustrated case studies can have the reader riveted for hours.

Green Roofs in Sustainable Landscape Design brings to light the multidisciplinary building design process involving users, designers from various disciplines, planners and horticulturalists in applying the green roof technology. This is a handy book for practitioners (providing addresses and details of organisations mentioned in the text alongside specifications and detailed application), an excellent text for building clients and a thoroughly riveting read for anyone interested in understanding green roofs.