GINKGO brings deep industry experience to every project. 

We work closely with developers and construction teams to deliver green building envelope solutions that are efficient, reliable, and built to last. Our process begins with a structural assessment that considers the size, slope, orientation, and drainage components. This guides our recommendations on materials, labour, and the most suitable green roof system for the design goals. 

We advise on the merits of extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive green roofs. The key difference is substrate depth which informs plant selections. Extensive roofs are the most common, are lightweight and support low growing species. Semi-intensive systems can feature grasses and wildflowers, and intensive roofs offer the greatest design flexibility and can include shrubs, trees, and hardscape features. 

Key elements to consider: 

 Structural capacity: is the roof flat or sloped, and what is the load capacity? This is the entry point for all new or retrofitted green roofs.  

 Waterproofing: a durable, properly installed membrane is essential. It will be covered and protected by the green roof, but it needs to be done right from the start to prevent leaks.  

 Planting goals: do you envision a low-profile, single species or diverse palette? This guides whether we build an extensive, semi-intensive or intensive system.  

 Irrigation needs: watering requirements depend on system type, plant selection, and any stormwater or water reuse guidelines. It can be as simple as a hose bib to a fully integrated irrigation setup. 

 Access and use: will the green roof be off-limits to public access, or designed as a walkable, communal amenity space? 

 Maintenance access: every green roof requires ongoing care for optimal performance. Safe, practical access is essential, whether or not the space is open to occupants. 

 Mitigates urban heat island effect: green roofs absorb heat in densely populated areas, reducing the overall temperature of buildings, cutting peak energy demand and improving occupant comfort.

 Manages stormwater at source: absorbs and slows runoff, easing the pressure on municipal sewer systems and preventing localized flooding.

 Improves air quality: plants capture airborne pollutants, clean the air supporting healthier communities.

 Enhances acoustics: the green roof layers act as a natural sound buffer, reducing white noise.

 Boosts diversity: green roofs create habitat for birds, pollinators and other insects, supporting urban wildlife.

 Valuable amenity space: when designed for access, green roofs become social spaces that elevate tenant satisfaction, employee well-being and property value.

 Corporate sustainability: green roofs contribute to LEED, WELL and other certification pathways showcasing environmental stewardship.

What is a green roof?

A green roof is an engineered system that integrates vegetation, specialized growing media, and drainage layers installed on top of a waterproof membrane. It transforms unused roof space into functional, living architecture that delivers environmental and aesthetic benefits.

What are the benefits of a green roof?

What types of green roofs are there?

There are three primary categories of green roofs, each offering different levels of soil depth and design flexibility. Extensive roofs are the most common as they are lightweight and low maintenance. Intensive roofs feature deeper soil profiles that can support more diverse vegetation such as shrubs and small trees. They are generally used in amenity spaces. Semi-intensive roofs blend the characteristics of both systems, providing moderate soil depth and plant variety with manageable maintenance requirements.

What is the cost of a green roof?