The supply of materials for the SEED trial
The virtuous and positive effects on the quality of life in urban space of green roofs no longer need demonstration.
But is it possible to continue importing materials with proven qualities of lightness and water capacity suitable for roofing substrates when they often require transport of hundreds or thousands of kilometres before being raised onto our roofs, which are supposed to be environmentally-friendly?
More than 30% of greenhouse gases in Switzerland are due to transport, of which more than 50% are due to construction alone.
In addition to the movement of large volumes of mineral components through Switzerland, other materials, known as inert materials from demolition of built works, end up deep underground unless a way can be found to recycle them.
Even if it is modest, the positive effect on the environment by recycling materials for local use deserves to be tested for the potential to reuse them for roofs.
Concrete, gravel, terracotta, ceramics, sources of materials to be recycled are virtually inexhaustible. Even though they are heavier, they contribute significantly to reducing the ecological footprint of these green roofs.
Project partner(s)
Project leader - team
Patrice Prunier
(HEPIA),
Pierre-André Frossard
(HEPIA),
Sophie Rochefort
(HEPIA),
Pascal Boivin
(HEPIA),
Eric Amos
(HEPIA)