Blue-green biosolar roof case study: King’s Cross, London

Blue-green, biosolar roof, King’s Cross 2020

• This innovative 300m² roof in the North London area of King’s Cross was completed in 2020. It combines the triumvirate of sustainable roofing: blue, green and biosolar.
• Step 1: Prichard & Prichard constructs the blue roof system, including the waterproof membrane and blue roof panels. This is a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) which retains water following a down poor and manages how the water is dispersed to prevent the damaging run off. See: Blue roof.
• Step 2: On top of the blue roof system, Prichard & Prichard installs the bases for the solar panels.
• Step 3: Finally Prichard & Prichard builds the extensive green roof system: the substrate/growing medium and then the sedum matting.
• A blue-green roof combines SuDS/blue roof with a living roof – in this case a low-maintenance sedum roof. These two roof types are very compatible and are increasingly common.
• A biosolar roof combines a living roof with solar panels. These two roof types are not only very compatible, the living roof may also increasing the effectiveness of solar panels, by reducing the ambient temperature of the roof area. Evidence from Germany, where biosolar roofs (combined living roof and solar panels) are more common, suggests this is the case.

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