13 Spectacular Living Roofs in Detail


© Paul Warchol

© Paul Warchol

In Le Corbusier’s 5 points of architecture, he advocates the inclusion of flat roofs hosting roof gardens, providing valuable outdoor space for the inhabitants of the building in order to replace the ground lost to the construction of the building. But while this acknowledgement of outdoor space was important for people, Le Corbusier‘s sculptural concrete roof gardens were little consolation to the non-human flora and fauna that were displaced by his works.

Recent improvements in our understanding of ecosystems and the environment, as well as a better scientific understanding of the needs of plants, have changed this dramatically. In the past few decades, green roofs and living roofs have exploded in popularity, and now adorn every kind of building–from small private houses to the gigantic surface of Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn.

We’ve collected together some excellent examples of these living roofs, including the structural detailing that makes them possible. Read on for 13 spectacular green roofs that achieve environmental benefits including reduced stormwater runoff, and reductions in energy use and the heat island effect.


© Pedro Lobo


© Hiroyuki Oki


© José Hevia


© Luis Alonso

Lakeside Retreat / GLUCK+


© Paul Warchol

© Paul Warchol

Lakeside Retreat / GLUCK+

Lakeside Retreat / GLUCK+

House for Trees / Vo Trong Nghia Architects


© Hiroyuki Oki

© Hiroyuki Oki

House for Trees / Vo Trong Nghia Architects

House for Trees / Vo Trong Nghia Architects

Vias Cultural Center / Estudio SIC


© Esaú Acosta

© Esaú Acosta

Centro Creación Joven Espacio Vias / Estudio SIC

Centro Creación Joven Espacio Vias / Estudio SIC

House at León / ALARCÓN + ASOCIADOS


© Cortesía de Alarcón + Asociados

© Cortesía de Alarcón + Asociados

Casa en León / Alarcón + Asociados

Casa en León / Alarcón + Asociados

House C / Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP


© Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP

© Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP

Casa C / Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP

Casa C / Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP

Galeria Mario Sequeira / Carvalho Araújo


© Pedro Lobo

© Pedro Lobo

Galería Mario Sequeira / Atelier Carvalho Araújo

Galería Mario Sequeira / Atelier Carvalho Araújo

Cubierta Verde / Cardoso + Zúñiga


© Luis Alonso

© Luis Alonso

Cubierta Verde / Cardoso + Zúñiga

Cubierta Verde / Cardoso + Zúñiga

Senior Citizen Community Center / F451 Arquitectura


© José Hevia

© José Hevia

Senior Citizen Community Center / F451 Arquitectura

Senior Citizen Community Center / F451 Arquitectura

OS House / NOLASTER


© José Hevia

© José Hevia

Casa OS / Nolaster

Casa OS / Nolaster

Volcano Buono / RPBW


© RPBW

© RPBW

Vulcano Buono / Renzo Piano

Vulcano Buono / Renzo Piano

Villa Bio / Enric Ruiz Geli


© Lluís Ros / Optical Adiction

© Lluís Ros / Optical Adiction

Villa Bio / Enric Ruiz Geli

Villa Bio / Enric Ruiz Geli

Line of Work / Jill Anholt Studio


© Martin Tessler

© Martin Tessler

Line of Work / Jill Anholt Studio

Line of Work / Jill Anholt Studio

Sports Pavilion / Filipe Brandão and Nuno Sanches


© Nuno Sanches

© Nuno Sanches

Pabellón de Deporte / Felipe Brandão y Nuno Sanches

Pabellón de Deporte / Felipe Brandão y Nuno Sanches

Check out more great projects with green roofs here.

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