Roofing & Cladding Bauder’s green roofs declared nature reserve
The installation of a BauderBIODIVERSE green roof system made Sharrow Primary in Sheffield the first primary school in the country to be declared a nature reserve. Since 2011, the roofs have created a rich and ongoing legacy that benefits not only academic attainment but biodiversity, too.
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rior to the installation of green roofs at Sharrow Primary, the school had restricted ground space. However, rather than being viewed as an obstacle to redevelopment, the opportunity was taken to create green roofs at three different levels, accommodating a play space and outdoor classrooms.
In addition, a 2000-m² BauderBIODIVERSE green roof was installed, providing a host of environmental and biodiversity benefits for both the school and local area.
Why choose a BauderBIODIVERSE roof?
In addition to their performance and environmental benefits (outlined below), BauderBIODIVERSE systems achieve a CCPI mark which recognises that any claims made about it have been independently assessed across 11 clauses, providing greater clarity by offering improved product information. This gives specifiers confidence in the knowledge that they will have unambiguous information when deciding which of our systems is best for their new build or refurbishment project
BauderBIODIVERSE green roofs: an overview
Designed to create a wide range of varied habitats—like logs, sand, and wildflowers— BauderBIODIVERSE green roofs support wildlife, increase urban biodiversity, and replicate natural ecosystems on buildings’ rooftops.
In addition to their aesthetic qualities, green roofs can play a significant role in helping organisations toward government-set environmental targets and meet planning permission requirements, since they offer environmental benefits that include the following:
Boost biodiversity with diverse habitats
BauderBIODIVERSE green roofs create a matrix of habitats that help increase biodiversity. These include undulating substrates, stone and dead wood piles, bare sandy areas, and dew ponds—features that replicate natural environments and support a wide variety of flora and fauna. This encourages pollinators, birds, invertebrates, and native plant species to survive and thrive.
Bauder has worked with the charity Buglife to produce specifications that ensure the roof areas maximize their ecological potential.
Stormwater management, building efficiency, and carbon savings
BauderBIODIVERSE green roofs contribute to stormwater attenuation, reduce urban heat, and improve thermal and acoustic
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performance. These factors enhance the resilience of buildings which, over time, can lead to significant carbon savings through less need for material manufacturing, transport, and disposal emissions.
When to specify a BauderBIODIVERSE green roof
The specification of a BauderBIODIVERSE roof helps meet project objectives, including:
- positive ecological impact - meeting planning requirements - aesthetic flexibility
With organisations under growing pressure to meet environmental targets, a BauderBIODIVERSE roof can support you in meeting the increasing demand for native vegetation and pollinator-friendly planting schemes, which help meet planning requirements tied to the Building Research Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), Urban Greening Factor (UGF), and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
Bauder’s range of British-native vegetation options comprises seed mixes, plug plants, and wildflower blankets which, in addition to their ecological benefits, also offer the flexibility to achieve the desired aesthetic of your roof.
Sharrow Primary: An on-going legacy of biodiversity, academic attainment, and social sustainability
The BauderBIODIVERSE green roof at Sharrow Primary is home to over 700 plants, making it Sheffield’s greenest school.
Constructed on a concrete deck beneath the biodiverse wildflower roof is a Bauder reinforced bitumen membrane waterproofing system with 120 mm of PIR insulation. This achieves a U value of 0.2 W/M²K, which helps provide ongoing whole-life cost savings (such as lower energy bills) by improving the
thermal efficiency of the roof. The heating system is powered by warmth coming up from deep in the earth and toilets flushed by rainwater.
A haven for birds and other kinds of wildlife, with rotting tree stumps provided for a variety of insects, Sharrow Primary’s green roofs are used as a learning resource with curriculum- friendly uses for students. The roofs also help provide an environment more conducive to academic attainment by assisting in the control of noise, humidity and heat inside classrooms.
The roof was delivered on time and within budget and serves as a testament to what can be achieved with ecologically focused construction.
Contact Bauder about your project
If you are looking for a flat roofing solution for a new build or refurbishment project, contact Bauder to discuss your project’s needs.
www.bauder.co.uk/contact-us
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