There are several ways to incorporate green spaces and vegetation into architectural adaptation, including:
1. Rooftop gardens: One of the most common ways to incorporate green spaces into architecture is by creating rooftop gardens. This can be achieved through the installation of green roofs or by designing terraced gardens on flat rooftops.
2. Green facades: Buildings can also be covered in vegetation by using green facades, which typically involve attaching vegetation to a structural framework fixed to the building facade. This reduces energy consumption by acting as a thermal barrier, filters pollutants, and absorbs rainwater.
3. Indoor gardens: Indoor gardens inside individual structures or buildings can help improve indoor air quality, reduce stress levels, and enhance mood. These can range from small potted plants to large, lush indoor gardens that occupy a large space.
4. Pocket parks and courtyards: Small internal courtyards and pocket parks have shown to help enhance biodiversity, moisture retention, and even reduce heat islands. They can also act as a gathering space for people to socialize and rest.
5. Living walls: Living walls or vertical gardens involving the incorporation of plants directly onto the walls of buildings, making area green and reducing heat gain. These walls need to be regularly maintained by pruning, watering, and adding fertilizer as required.
6. Green Infrastructure: Green infrastructure can be considered a wider approach, where design considers the natural environment and land uses nearby such as wetlands, woods, floodplains, and riparian corridors.
Overall, the incorporation of green spaces and vegetation into architectural adaptations offers numerous beneficial outcomes such as fighting climate change, reducing air pollution and enhancing human health and wellbeing.
Publication date: