Project Description
The Alder Hey Children’s Hospital is now open with the £237m contract completed by main contractor, Laing O’Rourke, in October 2015. The world class Alder Hey development is Europe’s only hospital located directly within a park. The building rises out of the park on approach with an undulating profile, making it instantly recognisable. The unique design of the building engenders well-being and raises patient and visitor spirits by providing a pleasant, healing environment for children and young people.
The Challenge
Architects, Building Design Partnership wanted the three fingers of the building to radiate out from the atrium concourse that forms the hospital’s public hub. The challenge was to incorporate a green roof finish to both flat and curved roof areas. In some areas the roof pitch would be as steep as 45 degrees, a pitch not normally conducive to incorporating a green roof system. Any solution would not only need to be structurally stable, but also support a wildflower planting regime to achieve the desired appearance.
The Solution
ABG used their experience within both the green roof and slope stabilisation sectors to create a bespoke design to make the curved roofs possible. Working closely with the design team, the main contractor and envelope contractor Prater Roofing, ABG designed and manufactured a multi layer system, installed by ABG Installs.
The system incorporated a series of anchor points, reinforcement geogrid and geocell product (Erosaweb) to retain the growing media & vegetation onto the three curved roofs.
A significant part of the design process not only involved slope stability, but equally as important was the build-ability and subsequent maintenance requirements. The Green Roof system incorporates a SMART rain sensor and automated irrigation pipe system, with each finger having its own dedicated mains operated tank.
The ABG Service
ABG designed the green roof system, carefully taking into account the requirements of the client and sensitive nature of the development.
