Green roofs and vertical gardens are gaining more and more ground in the world of sustainable construction. If you are interested in learning about these ecological systems, there are several training options that will allow you to learn about the technical aspects of their design, installation and maintenance.
Below is a selection of courses available both online and on-site.
What are green roofs and vertical gardens?
Green roofs, also known as green roofs, are vegetation systems installed on the roofs of buildings.
Their origin dates back to Mesoamerican cultures, and they were used in Egyptian and other ancient civilisations.
To put it very simply, a green roof consists of a layer of vegetation on top of a waterproofing membrane that protects the building from the weather, and as a layer with great properties of the roof it regulates the temperature and reduces the energy needed for air-conditioning.
Definition of green roofs
Green roofs are green roofs used in the construction of buildings to reduce their environmental impact and improve air quality. It is a sustainable design technique that consists of adding one or more layers of vegetation on top of a waterproofed surface covering the building structure.
Definition of vertical gardens
Vertical gardens, also called vegetal walls, are vegetation systems that are placed on the walls of buildings to improve air quality and reduce environmental impact.
They consist of a structure supporting plants and substrate, which is installed on vertical walls, both inside and outside buildings.
Differences and similarities between the two systems
- Green roofs and vertical gardens are sustainable design techniques that aim to improve the urban environment.
- Green roofs are a green roof located on top of buildings, while vertical gardens are located on the walls.
- Both systems improve the energy efficiency of buildings by reducing the use of air conditioning and heating.
- Green roofs are better able to retain rainwater and reduce uncontrolled drainage.
- On the other hand, vertical gardens have a great capacity to purify the air and improve its quality, as well as to reduce the ambient air temperature.
- Another advantage is the ability of vertical gardens to be used as sound insulation and as a barrier to prevent dust and air pollution from entering buildings.
- They must be technically treated differently as, although in both it is important that they are waterproof and do not damage the surface behind them, in green roofs it takes on extra importance as the geometry and their function means that water tends to stagnate and often even intentionally seeks to contain the water from the roof for irrigation, so waterproofing is the fundamental key in this type of solution.
- The species also tend to be different, whether for use or aesthetics, different species are often sought.
Green roofs online course: characteristics and content
Green roofs and vertical gardens are an increasingly popular option in the construction and design of sustainable and ecological buildings.
For those who want to learn more about this topic, SingularGreen offers an online course on green roofs.
General course information
- Duration: more than 20 hours of video and 140 pages of downloadable handouts
- Prerequisites: No prior knowledge is required.
- Certification: a certificate is awarded at the end of the course.
Course structure by modules
- Module 1 – HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION TO VEGETABLE COVERS
- Module 2 – BENEFITS OF PLANT COVERS
- Module 3 – ESSENTIAL LAYERS OF A COVER
- Module 4 – EXCLUSIVE ELEMENTS OF A VEGETABLE COVERING
- Module 5 – WATERPROOFING THE COVERING
- Module 6 – THE SUBSTRATE IN PLANT ROOFS
- Module 7 – SPECIES SELECTION
- Module 8 – IRRIGATION
- Module 9 – INCLINED COVERS
- Module 10- STEPS TO EXECUTE A PLANT COVERING
- Module 11- BUDGETING FOR PLANT COVERS
- Module 12- REGULATIONS FOR PLANT COVERS
- Module 13- INTEGRATION OF SOLAR PANELS
- Module 14- EXAMPLES OF VEGETABLE COVERS
Breakdown of the contents taught in the course
- Basic concepts of green roofs
- Types of green roofs
- Selection of plant species
- Layers of green roofs
- Substrate and irrigation in green roofs
- Tools and materials needed
- Installation of systems
- Maintenance and care of the green roof
- Socio-environmental benefits of urban greening
What prior knowledge is required to take the course?
No previous knowledge of this subject is required because the course is designed for those interested in acquiring new knowledge.
But if you already know about this subject, we believe that it will help you to reinforce and understand important aspects if you already have some previous knowledge.
How to obtain the course certificate?
Once the 14 modules of the course have been completed and the corresponding evaluation tests have been passed, a certificate will be awarded certifying the training obtained.
On-site green roof courses, in Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante
In the face-to-face courses
Course objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide technical knowledge necessary for the design, installation and maintenance of green roofs and vertical gardens in urban areas. It also aims to raise awareness among participants of the importance of urban naturation and the socio-environmental benefits it brings.
Contents of the course
- Introduction to urban naturalisation
- Designing green roofs and vertical gardens in urban areas
- Selection of plant species adapted for urban areas and their care
- Layers and materials necessary for the installation and maintenance of green roofs and vertical gardens.
- Irrigation and maintenance techniques required for these systems
- Examples of projects carried out in urban areas
Who can take the course?
The course is aimed at anyone interested in urban sustainability and urban naturalism, such as architects, engineers, landscape architects, biologists, or anyone interested in the subject without previous knowledge.
Contents of the course
- Selection of plant species
- Design of plant cover layers
- Substrate and irrigation on green roofs
- Techniques to optimise the efficiency of the system
Who is the course for?
This course is aimed at anyone interested in sustainability and green roof construction, regardless of previous experience. It is especially interesting for those who want to acquire basic knowledge about green roofs and their installation and maintenance in urban areas.
What will you learn at the end of the course?
At the end of the course, participants will have acquired the necessary knowledge to design, build and maintain green roofs, based on technical and environmental criteria.
They will be able to select the appropriate species, design the necessary layers, and will know the necessary techniques to maintain the system in optimal conditions. In addition, a certificate will be awarded at the end of the course to endorse the knowledge acquired.
Designing green roofs and vertical gardens
The design of green roofs and vertical gardens requires the appropriate selection of plant species that are adapted to the conditions of the site where they will be planted. It is important to choose plants that are drought resistant and adapted to the climatic conditions of the site.
Selection of plant species
The first step in designing a green roof or vertical garden is to select the right plant species for the site.
Factors such as humidity and the amount of sunlight the site receives should be taken into account.
Drought-resistant species are ideal for green roofs, as they do not need much water to grow.
Designing the layers of the green roof
The design of the green roof layers is essential to ensure the proper functioning of the system.
The layers are divided into three layers: the drainage layer, the water retention layer and the substrate layer.
The drainage layer should be located at the base of the system to drain excess water and prevent waterlogging.
The water retention layer is used to store the water necessary for plant growth.
The substrate layer is where the plants develop and must be deep enough to allow the roots to grow.
Substrate and irrigation on green roofs
The substrate is one of the most important elements in the design of a green roof. A suitable substrate ensures the growth of the plants.
It is important that the substrate has good water holding capacity and a suitable texture to allow the roots to grow.
Irrigation on green roofs is vital to ensure plant growth and development.
The frequency and quantity of water provided must be taken into account, depending on the needs of each species and the climatic conditions of the site.
Techniques to optimise the efficiency of the system
There are several techniques to optimise the efficiency of the green roof and vertical garden system.
One of them is the use of humidity sensors to control irrigation and avoid wasting water.
Another technique is the inclusion of plants that attract insects that are beneficial to plants and contribute to natural pest control.
It is important to consider these techniques in the design of the system to maximise its efficiency and minimise its impact on the environment.
Green roofs and vertical gardens for urban areas
Importance of urban naturation
Urban naturation refers to the process of introducing natural elements into urban areas, with the aim of improving the quality of life of citizens and reducing the environmental impact of cities. Vegetation on the roofs and walls of buildings is one of the most successful initiatives for the integration of urban greening.
Socio-environmental benefits
Green roofs and vertical gardens not only improve the aesthetic quality of urban environments, they also have socio-environmental benefits. They help reduce air temperature, improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff and improve water retention capacity. In addition, they reduce energy costs and improve the energy efficiency of buildings and increase property value.
Green roof and vertical garden design in cities
The design of green roofs and vertical gardens in cities should be carried out considering several aspects, such as climate, building type, height and direction of solar exposure. Attention should also be paid to the choice of plant species, using indigenous plants that are hardy and adaptable to the local climate.
Green roof layers
The design of the canopy layers is critical to the success of the system. Layers should include an insulation layer to protect the roof, a drainage layer, a water retention layer and a substrate layer.
Substrate and irrigation on green roofs
The substrate is the physical medium in which the plants will grow. It is essential that it has good drainage and water retention. Irrigation is an important task as green roofs require efficient and specific irrigation systems to ensure their success.
Techniques to optimise the efficiency of the system
There are techniques to optimise the efficiency of the system, such as the use of sensors to monitor the status of the irrigation system, the use of sustainable materials and the integration of the green cover in urban planning projects.
Examples of projects in urban areas
The implementation of green roofs and vertical gardens in architecture and urban planning projects has been increasing in recent years. In Spain, several examples can already be found, such as the Madrid Rio project, which incorporates thousands of plants on the walls of the M-30 tunnels and in the lid gardens. Another example is the PwC Tower in Madrid, which has a 944m² green roof that reduces the city’s polluting emissions.
Frequently asked questions about green roof and vertical garden courses
What is the price of green roof courses?
The price may vary depending on the type of training and the method of payment.
On-site courses usually have a higher price than online courses, as it includes practice and joint meals during the training.
At SingularGreen we offer the opportunity to train you initially online and then attend one of our face-to-face courses (at a very special price). This way you can get the most out of this training.
We encourage you to research and compare options before making your decision.
Do I need previous experience to do these green roof courses?
Previous experience is not necessary, as most courses are designed for people who have no prior knowledge of green roofs.
However, it is advisable to have a basic background in areas such as architecture, landscaping or the environment.
How long does the training last?
The duration of the courses can vary from a few hours to several months, depending on the depth with which you want to go into the contents and the modality of the training. Our didactic methodology tries to be entertaining but at the same time give you a lot of information, so we understand that if you watch the course more than once you will go deeper and you will find more elements that you had not seen in the first viewing.
Face-to-face courses usually have a shorter duration than online courses. In our case it is 3 intensive days. So you see, we try to ensure that our learning formulas can be adjusted to the needs of each person.
What do the course certificates consist of?
The certificate that is given at the end of the training, whether online or offline, is a document that certifies that the student has completed the training satisfactorily.
It includes all the topics we have covered and the skills acquired.
Are there any discounts or special promotions?
There are discounts for groups and if you buy the green roofs course and the vertical gardens course at the same time there is a discount of 100 euros.
For more information you can write to cursos@singulargreen.com or fill in the following form:
