As part of the prestigious Bucharest Horticulture Days event, organized by the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, we had the honor of conducting two remarkable demonstration workshops dedicated to green roofs, ecological solutions for a healthier and more sustainable urban environment. These practical activities, carried out with the support and sponsorship of EcoStratos and in collaboration with the installation specialists at Odu Green Roofs, offered a unique opportunity for participants to witness and contribute to the installation of functional green systems, in real time, right in the university campus.
The first workshop took place outside the main building of the faculty, on a light structure (an electrical transformer) that was spectacularly transformed into an extensive functional green roof.
On an area of approximately 15 sqm, our team presented each stage of the installation process, and the entire process was supported by detailed technical explanations and direct presentations provided by Mr. Zoltán Kolcsár, the technical director of our company and the president of the Converde Association.
The practical intervention was thus accompanied by a valuable educational component, easy to follow and highly appreciated by the participants.
The installed system was an ultra-light, extensive type, ideal for structures with low load-bearing capacity or lightweight constructions. The installed layers included anti-resistant foil, protective geotextile, enhanced water retention layer, extensive substrate based on mineral rock with a light, spongy structure, and finally, pre-cultivated Sedum carpets were placed, for an instant green effect.
The public had the opportunity to get up close to the completed work, to climb and observe closely how the system works, the texture of the substrate, and the natural, mature appearance of the vegetation. The interaction was direct, tactile, visual – participants photographed, asked questions, touched and admired the result. It was a memorable experience, which aroused the enthusiasm and curiosity of many students, teachers and guests. In a symbolic and emotional moment, exactly at the completion of the work, a light rain began to fall, giving the green roof its first natural watering – as a blessing to the project.
On the second day of the event we came up with a demonstration dedicated to installing a green roof on a sloped surface, a situation frequently encountered in residential projects. Due to the success and visible impact of the first demonstration, the audience returned in large numbers, showing increased interest in this type of green infrastructure.
This time too, we opted for an ultra-light extensive system, but with an essential feature: the introduction of a simple substrate stabilization system, made of a wooden structure, which prevents the substrate and vegetation from sliding on slopes.
This technical detail, essential for areas with slopes over 15 degrees, was explained step by step by Mr. Kolcsár, giving the participants a clear understanding of the challenges and solutions in the field.
The two green roofs created remain the property of the university, becoming practical observation points for students and professors alike. This way they retain their educational and demonstrative role even after the event ends, offering a concrete example of green infrastructure implemented correctly, with durability and continuous aesthetics over time.
Through these workshops we were able to present a complete technical process and inspire, through visible and tangible results, a way of thinking oriented towards sustainability. We demonstrated to the public that green roofs represent a practical, efficient and accessible solution, even in dense urban spaces.
We believe that hands-on education, based on real-life experiences, is essential for the training of future professionals in the fields of landscape architecture, urban design, and engineering. When students can see, touch, and understand how a green roof system works, they are more likely to incorporate such solutions into their future projects.
By engaging young people in such activities, we provide them not only with valuable knowledge, but also with the tools to take action. We encourage them to become an active part of change, to be the pillars of urban evolution, towards a greener, more resilient and healthier city. The power to transform today’s cities into sustainable communities for tomorrow’s generations lies in their hands.
We are grateful to our partners from Odu Green Roofs, who made this initiative possible, through the professional execution of the works: ODU Green Roof • Green roofs, terraces and walls
Visit our website for more details about green urban infrastructure solutions: Ecostratos • Green roofs, terraces, hanging gardens
We are also grateful to everyone who participated, asked questions, were curious and enthusiastic, because this interest confirms to us that we are on a necessary and promising path.
