Aloni: Dry-Land Vegetative Roofing

A simply stunning example of the variety of green roofs in drier climates comes via Designboom: "Greek firm deca architecture designed 'aloni' a house located on the greek island of antiparos. the design of the house is a dual response to the particular topography of the site and to the rural domestication techniques that in the past shaped the raw ‘cycladic island’ landscape."


:: image via designboom

Some info about the concept: "Two long stone walls bridge the hills allowing the house to nestle in the space within while maintaining the continuity of the landscape which flows over it. this simple strategy blurs the edges of the house and makes its mass imperceptible within the broader skyline of the island."


:: image via designboom

The use of indigenous plant material for more arid regions offers a chance for better survivability along with blending in with the existing landscape. The landscaping is irrigated (perhaps temporarily?) as seen by the drip tubing running through plantings - which may be a necessity as although 'natural', the rooftop does provide a different microclimate for plants (in terms of moisture, exposure, soil depth, and heat) making it more of a hybrid spanning native and ornamental.


:: image via designboom

The balance in arid regions is always a question of whether the benefits of the green roof outweigh the additional irrigation use. As more examples come out for dry-area examples of vegetative roofing, we will find good precedents to expand the reach of green roofing that meets this balance of beauty versus sustainability.