The Campus of Torcuato Di Tella University consists of a green roof with free access to the entire university community. Built on the 5th floor over the new classrooms and auditoriums, it counts with leisure areas, a bar section, and an open air amphitheatre. Although green roofs for public or institutional buildings are only recently flourishing in Buenos Aires, they are gradually becoming successful examples of the implementation of this urban component. And, in this particular case, the key objective was that of providing more available open public spaces for the students and the university’s staff, with the bonus of a breathtaking 360 degree view of the city.
Main landscape features
Vegetation: The native and adapted vegetation, trees, shrubs, herbaceous and ground cover plants of low water requirement, was chosen according to the depth of each sector.
To house the roots of the trees (Bahuinia candicans, native tree), large containers which serve as furniture, were specifically designed. These shady places also serve for leisure or recreational activities.
The herbaceous beds and ground cover plants consist of Perovskia atriplicifolia, Agapanthus umbellatus, Nassella tenuisima, Phormium tenax erecta aurea nana, Portulaca gilliesii, Sedum mix, among others.
Soil: The depth of the substrate varies from 0.15m to 0.20m, according to the permissible overload of the structure on the existing building.
Drainage system: They are systematized in the perimeter of the terrace, under the floating floor.
Drainage systems for green areas:
– Flat areas: Multilayer system of three-dimensional recycled polyethylene panels with water retention cups, placed on an anti-root barrier, water retention blanket made of recycled fibers and a top-mounted geomat to prevent the transfer of particles to the drains.
– Sloped areas: Geocomposite membrane, with a draining core formed by a three-dimensional geomat, made of polypropylene filaments and thermowelded at all contact points to a polyester non-woven geotextile.
Irrigation system:
In order to minimize the water consumption of the drip irrigation system, the condensate water from the air conditioning equipment is collected in two reserve tanks located on the 4th floor. The system is operated with a programmer and a rain sensor.
Entrant office name: GRUPO LANDSCAPE Cora Burgin / Sebastián Mouzo
Role of the entrant in the project: Landscape Architecture
Website: www.grupolandscape.com.ar
Other designers involved in the design of landscape: N/A
Project location (Street, City, Country): Av. Figueroa Alcorta 7350, Buenos Aires Argentina
Design year: 2015
Year Built: 2016
CAMPUS UNIVERSIDAD TORCUATO DI TELLA, GREEN ROOF
Landscape Architecture: GRUPO LANDSCAPE Cora Burgin / Sebastián Mouzo
Architecture: RDR architects, Richter-Dahl Rocha and Asoc.
Year of Project: 2015
Year of Execution: 2016
Total area of the roof: 1600 m2
Green areas: 700 m2
Furniture: Arch. Diana Cabeza
Photography: Cora Burgin / Sebastián Mouzo / Rodriguez Mansilla Fotografos
