Planting on the green roof

Gardening works are in full swing on the Capsule Building's green roof. Young plants are being planted all over the roof surface, promising to garland the entire building with a beautiful green crown. The plants chosen for the green roof are indigenous, and require relatively little water. They will be irrigated with the Capsule Building's grey water, following purification in its green basin.

The green roof concept was developed in Germany about 30 years ago, but has attained popularity only in recent years, mostly in Europe and the US. We are proud to be among the first to implement this advanced environmental idea in Israel.

The advantages of green roofs include:

1. Thermal insulation: a green roof effectively insulates the top of the building, thereby helping to maintain a comfortable temperature inside, and reducing the need for energy-consuming heating and cooling devices.  It must be noted, however, that the level of insulation changes with the seasons, and also depends on the choice of vegetation.  As a result, the green roof cannot fully replace other types of insulation. The green roof of the Capsule Building was thus designed jointly by landscape architects, thermal consultants and the building's architects.
2. Acoustic insulation: green roofs significantly reduce the level of noise penetrating the building from the outside.
3. Collecting rain water: plants growing on the roof assist in the preservation of rain water, while slowing the flow of water to the ground.  Water collected in this way can be used for various purposes, both inside the building and in surrounding areas.
4. Quality of life: green roofs can become a beautiful haven for the building's residents, just like other green spots in the city.
5. Refuge for animals: scientists believe that green roofs can serve as a refuge for rare species of wildlife, far away from predators prowling at ground level. In this the Capsule Building's green roof is a natural continuation of its two neighbors – Tel Aviv University's Botanical and Zoological Gardens.
6. Alleviating the 'urban heat island' effect: a large number of vegetation-rich roofs can serve to cool down a city's urban environment, diminishing the temperature gaps between the metropolis and its rural surroundings.