The Matter of Landscape: Sustainable Design Strategies for RMIT City Campus: Part 1

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Research Background:
This project involved designing, developing and evaluating green roofs to demonstrate best practice sustainable design. The project began with a series of comparative precedent and best practice case studies, background research on various typologies, growth mediums and plant materials. From these initial studies pilot green roof modules were developed. The modules tested suitable vegetation and alternative growth mediums. The project was then taken into a living laboratory context, where third-year students built, maintained, and monitored the performance of the green-roof modules.

Research Significance:
Many of the claimed sustainability benefits of green roofs are anecdotal. This research focussed on establishing frameworks for evaluation linking research with learning and teaching outcomes. Its value is reflected in its selection by an international review panel as finalists in the 2013 Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS) Green Gown Awards, Learning and Teaching.

Research contribution:
Through the new application of existing products, technologies and services the project resulted in a more holistic approach to green-roof design and construction. The research team used a combination of planting palettes to improve the social and environmental sustainability of green roof tops. The project improved knowledge of shorter food miles, self-sustained carpeting planting schemes and ornamental garden qualities. Performance evaluation of the green roof pilot project enabled the development of design guidelines, identified future avenues of research and further contributed knowledge towards the sustainable benefits of green roofs. Academic refereed publications and conferences relating to sustainable discourse, policy development and green infrastructure are a result of this on-going research led learning and teaching initiative.