Exploring London’s Green Roofs: Architectural site visit in London

In Year 2 of my studies on the Architectural and Interdisciplinary Studies BSc, at The Bartlett School of Architecture, I took part in a wonderful opportunity to tour some of London’s green roofs as part of one of my modules this term, Greening Cities. Guided by renowned green roof specialist, Dusty Gedge, we started off the day in Hoxton, admiring the desert-inspired greenery crowning the Museum of the Home, before heading into the City of London, where we visited the lush rooftop gardens at 120 Fenchurch Street and Eversheds Sutherland.  
 
Each location showcased a different type of green roof, varying in maintenance levels, structure, and social function—it was truly eye-opening to witness the immense potential of applying urban greening strategies to greater, more diverse contexts.  

Greening Cities and the Architectural and Interdisciplinary Studies BSc 

Greening Cities is a unique module offered by the Architectural and Interdisciplinary Studies BSc and teaches the principles of biodiverse nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation. As a flexible, highly customisable degree, we usually find ourselves joining other departments for electives in subjects ranging as broadly as philosophy to economics. Instead, Greening Cities sees us taking on somewhat of a reverted role, by bringing together students from across UCL to build on the same spirit of cross-disciplinary collaboration.  

My studies, which I have chosen to undertake in architectural history, urban geography and building energy physics, among others, have all underscored the growing urgency to put sustainability first in all future urban development. But rather than tapping into the idea that adaptive, or mitigative solutions to climate risks are limited to inconvenient compromises, this module introduces an optimistic, but practical approach to making use of pockets of underused space within the built environment landscape and redefining them as sites that promote both social and ecological wellbeing.  

Green roofs are not just aesthetic enhancements; they are vital tools for combating urban heat, managing stormwater, and fostering biodiversity, and I now can’t imagine why nature-based solutions shouldn’t have a greater place in our cities and workplaces.  

A particularly enriching part of the trip was the opportunity to closely engage with Dusty Gedge himself, who was personally involved in designing many of the sites we visited. For our final coursework submission, we are tasked with using our learning over the past term to design a comprehensive green intervention plan for a site of our choosing. In developing this project, it’s already rare enough to find a relevant source that perfectly fits your given context. Dusty is currently the President of the European Federation of Green Roof Associations, and being able to directly consult him about your preliminary ideas felt almost surreal.  
 
Throughout the tour, he was incredibly eager to share industry insights, and tailor information to our specific cultural and site-based contexts, which made the experience even more impactful. Similarly, our lectures are also taught by other experts in their respective fields, from green infrastructure consultants and designers to contractors and engineers, which offers a holistic perspective into the field.  

Looking Ahead: A Career in Sustainable Urban Development  

Paired with my architectural and interdisciplinary studies, this experience reaffirmed my passion for a future in sustainable property management and urban planning. As cities strive to become more sustainable, integrating nature into the built environment must become a priority - I am eager to utilise what I’ve learnt on this module, and this alternative architecture degree, to contribute to this movement, and help shape greener, more resilient cities for the future. 

 
Nicole Au, Architectural and Interdisciplinary Studies BSc student. 

Images courtesy of Blanche Cameron.