Tag Archive for: London

Biodiversity features were added to 8 existing blocks of green roofs by The Urban Greening Company.

Log piles, sand piles and rope coils acting as biodiversity features.

Our work will help to bring more wildlife and invertebrates into the city.

Working with kingston landscapes on this project we had the use of a crane. This made the access of materials much more accessible.

sand piles and log piles

sand piles and log piles

biodiversity features

biodiversity features

alternative planting

Recent green roof restorations carried out by TUGC.

The two seperate case studies below highlight two examples of how green roofs might fail.

There can be numerous factors resulting in failing green roofs.

Many clients write off their green roof if there are issues but we can highlight the issue and provide solutions.

Case Study 1:

failing green roof

failing green roof

alternative planting

alternative planting

small green roof on a residential property in Islington.

We replaced the sedum which was failing due to limited light exposure. We stripped the sedum, created a higher depth of compost and soil blend and replanted a mixture of shade tolerant ferns, grasses and ivy’s.

 

Case Study 2:

The first picture below shows a green roof just after installation last summer at Beckenham Methodist Church. The roof light and glass were fitted after the green roof and the second picture shows the roof completely trashed from traffic back and forth. Third picture is after our return to add extra substrate and sedum to the roof. We see too many roofs trashed from other workmen and trades, It’s not a nice sight and hopefully fewer incidents like this occur. Having said this they are always salvageable and we are more than willing to help on any green roof restorations.

after initial installation

after initial installation.

 

destroyed green roof

destroyed green roof.

new sedum installed

new sedum installed

 

 

Bee Hotel creation and Installation

Bee hotel design, creation and Installation by the Urban Greening Company. We have now installed numerous bee hotels across London attracting pollinators back into the city. This is something we feel strongly about at TUGC and we want to see bee hotels across the whole of London. These bee hotels have consisted of various shapes and sizes to meet our clients wishes.

We have used Marine Ply as the frames and a number of infill materials such as bricks and slates with crevices for the solitary bees to work their way into. We have also used logs from prime coppice woodland and bamboo for nesting areas.

Below are just some examples of our specifically made bee hotels in the last year.

Bee Hotel creation and Installation

Bee Hotel installed in Elephant and Castle

Bee hotel ready to be installed at Battersea power station

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bee Hotel creation and installation

Nine Elms development working with elite landscapes

green roof maintenance

These are all examples of recent green roof maintenance carried out by the urban greening company team.

They are all perfect examples of how a green roof should look for this time of year with autumn coming to an end. However they have not always looked this good. We always recommend bi-annual maintenance visits and it is thanks to this maintenance that these roofs are looking so great.

Case Study 1

The roof below is situated at a care home in Highgate, North London. Residents look straight out onto the roof from their windows and seeing lush vegetation is something we want for them to enjoy. A couple of years ago this roof was not in the best of shape. Bi-annual green roof maintenance has seen the roof improve with each visit.

Using a bauder specialised fertiliser in the spring supplying the roof with much needed nutrients for the coming summer months and removing any weeds. This has seen the sedum flourish and we now see sedum coverage across the whole roof.

Green Roof Maintenance

early morning sun

Green Roof Maintenance

lush sedum coverage

aerial view of roof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case Study 2

Another example below but this time a wildflower roof. Historically this roof could be quite patchy and not have a huge amount of  vegetation coverage. Through extensive weed removal and keeping on top of any invasive vegetation we have seen wildflowers thrive. This picture shows some white star jasmine trailing onto the roof for added aesthetics.

Green Roof Maintenance

wildflower roof

 

Case Study 3

The clients on the next roof were concerned about bare patches on their green roof in the heart of the city of London. As this was our first visit we decided to add extra sedum cuttings along with some generous amounts of substrate to act as a growing medium. Upon our return we were pleased to see this had worked. It is now a case of keeping on top of this roof with regular maintenance to keep it in top condition.

green roof maintenance

Bermondsey green wall provides a swathe of green in heart of London

A 10 metre high living wall has helped enhance a wooden decked courtyard area at three storey flat conversion in the centre of the historic leather market in Bermondsey, London.

The 30 sq.m. wall containing 1500 plants offering colour and depth in a tight compact space.

We regularly maintain this wall keeping it in good shape all year round.

Living wall at Bermondsey residence

Living wall at Bermondsey London  with the shard in the distance.

Rubens Hotel Maintenance visit

We have been maintaining this exterior living wall at one of Londons top hotels The Rubens Hotel next to Buckingham Palace for 5 years now.

Rubens Hotel Maintenance visit

The boys scaling the living wall.

 

 

 

Our Bi-annual visits see the wall given a good haircut. We also install new plants with each visit to maintain the walls striking presence. Located in one of the busiest areas of London. This beautiful living wall is seen by thousands of people every day.

The cradle is built and dismantled on each of the three sections of the wall. This provides us with safe access and enables us to gain maximum coverage each day.

Our ongoing Maintenance has created a lush and thriving living wall. As a result we are helping combat London’s noise and air pollution levels.

Bio-solar roof to benefit Social Housing

A multi-million pound re-development in Notting Hill, London receiving a re-vamp of social housing. Working for Pavehall Plc on this interesting bio-solar roof project.

Bio-solar roof to benefit Social Housing

Substrate being distributed beneath the solar panels.

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The roof ready for plug planting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We installed four separate bio-solar roofs of approximately 600 sq.m. that will deliver low-cost green energy.

Our installation will benefit hundreds of tenants in this busy area of West London.

This project includes two core bio-diverse roof areas with over 3000 plug plants of multiple varieties.

Bio-solar roof to benefit Social Housing

A variety of plant species including wild strawberries

Bio-solar roof to benefit Social Housing

The sedum flowering on the wing roofs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also greened a further two wing roofs of approximately 200 m2 consisting of solar panels and sedum mat.

The sedum is already established and attracting pollinators into a busy urban area showing our hard work has paid off.

 

 

Re-greening by congested A4 in London

The re-greening of a 1940s, West London, luxury apartment block refurbishment continued with two more garage roofs completed in quick time by The Urban Greening Company. 

Re-greening by congested A4 in London

finished re-greening on the garage roof

The 25 sq.m of sedum roof, added to a 30 sq.m. installation earlier in the year. They will help improve the water attenuation within the heavily populated and traffic congested area of Barons Court.

The project is a continuing development of our working relationship with Mike Barrett of Manorfield UK roofing. Underlining the benefit of independent, professional waterproofers working with like-minded professional green roofers.  

 

Re-greening by congested A4 in London

another angle of the completed green roof

Tag Archive for: London