It is not an original idea, architects of functionalistic villas, who first came up with the flat roof, also tried to construct roof gardens. However, the insulation techniques and materials were not at the level they are now, so the roofs used to leak. Quite probably such experiments inspired the following saying, There are two types of roofs, leaking roofs and roofs that have not started leaking yet…
Today’s construction technologies can almost achieve miracles, now we can not only see roofs on which healthy garden leeks grow but also roofs which can carry a full blown garden landscape with trees and even a swimming pool. Whatever is next!
However in cities, such green gardens can more often be seen on office buildings or shopping centres, currently they are rarely seen on private buildings, however; it is a trend that has been slowly emerging.
The first modern green roof in Prague was not some tiny decking. On the contrary, on one of the roofs of the Smíchov Shopping Centre, there is the steepest green roof in the Czech Republic. It has an incline of 58°! It can be seen from the Smíchov hill, and is called the same name as the one in Paris, Sacre coeur.
Two more inclined roofs, or rather walls are to be found at Šestka Shopping Center. The building was enveloped into its surrounding environment with help of these green roofs, and thereby avoids being an unpleasant eyesore on an otherwise flat horizon.
Also administrative buildings, the newly built ones at least, start appearing in the “green” program. Architects have been using facades, roofs and terraces of various horizontal structures to incorporate green into the urban landscape more and more. Roofs covered in green or terraces with trees look more welcoming and the employees have a possibility of taking some relaxation on green roof spaces, even in city centres. These green areas also have a good influence on the surrounding climate.
For example: the Cetelem building, Andels Hotel in Smíchov, the new ČSOB building in Radlice, the administrative complex in Chodov, BB Centre in Michle, or the Hilton Hotel are among the green roof buildings.
Residential buildings do not fall behind at all. Their greenery can be found growing in the front yards by the ground floor apartments and on terraces and roofs. The residential complex in Košíře is one example. Green roofs have started to appear on private buildings as well. One of them will appear on a garage which is attached to a house in Prague 10; this area will allow a new entrance on the second floor of the house making the green roof areas will seem wider.
