University of Waikato

University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

This roof was installed on a new electrical substation built on the University of Waikato campus to help the substation roof to blend in with its surroundings as it was overlooked by University buildings.

Location: Switchroom, University of Waikato, Hamilton
Client: University of Waikato
Project Manager/ Contractor: Stu Banks Builders Ltd, Hamilton
Development Type: Power sub-station
Client Brief: To help the sub-station to blend in with its surroundings as is overlooked by university buildings.

Green roof Design

The area of the roof is 55m2 and is above a new electrical substation built on the University of Waikato campus. Native grasses and tussocks were used and planted in a substrate mix averaging 160mm in depth. The roof was irrigated using a temporary irrigation system as it was installed in mid-summer. The irrigation allowed the plants to establish themselves within a few months of installation.
Comments: Some maintenance will be required to ensure that weeds do not become dominant, plus irrigation during dry spells.
Completion: November 2007.