The winner “BuGG Green Roof of the Year” 2021 is announced!

The winner “BuGG Green Roof of the Year” 2021 is announced!

The winner of “BuGG Green Roof of the Year” 2021 has been recently announced!

The German Association of Building Greening (Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V. – BuGG) has been holding the annual election for “BuGG Green Roof, Facade and Interior Greening of the Year” since 2001. BuGG members can submit outstanding objects. The election will then take place during a members’ meeting or an event.

At the end of last year, the election was held in digital form and with a large number of participants during the Federal Congress of Building Greening (Bundeskongress Gebäudegrün). The winning project for the “BuGG Green Roof of the Year” 2021 is the designed and accessible green roof of the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter in Hamburg, submitted by BuGG member Landschaftsarchitektur+.

The building has a total roof area of approx. 3,870 m² on various storeys, of which more than half (2,440 m²) is greened. The greening is designed both as an extensive green roof in a multi-layer construction with 4 cm drainage, filter fleece and 11 cm extensive substrate and in the form of a roof garden on the lower terraces and the common area of the canteen. The accessible roof garden also consists of a multi-layered structure: 6 cm plastic drainage, filter fleece, about 5-45 cm sub-substrate (in thicker areas with tree plantings) and 35 cm intensive substrate. The plant selection includes perennials, grasses and woody plants. Ramps and stairs between the levels create connections and a way to cross the campus on the east-west axis. Due to various seating areas along the curved paths, the roof garden can be enjoyed as a retreat and “green place to linger”. The comprehensive lighting concept ensures usability and a delightful atmosphere on the roof even in the dark.

The award winner, with its exemplary green roof installation worthy of imitation, also reflects the trend described by the “BuGG Market Report on Building Greening 2021”: the areas of intensive green roofs, and thus the use of roof areas as recreational and living space, are increasing every year. In 2020, for example, 18 percent of the roof areas in Germany were already greened.

More information

………………………………………………….

Construction information

Object: Green roof, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg

Year of construction: 2021

Green roof area: 2,440 m²

Building owner: Max Planck Society, Hamburg

Architect: Architekturbüro hammeskrause architekten, Stuttgart

Planting design: Prof. Mark Krieger, OST Rapperswil

Landscape architect: Landschaftsarchitektur+, Hamburg

Green roof structure: Extensive green roof in 3-layer construction and intensive green roof in 4-layer construction

Green roof system: Optigrün international AG

Executing company: Garten- und Landschaftsbau Klaus Hildebrandt GmbH, Hamburg

………………………………………………….

Author/Contact

Laura Vötig/Dr. Gunter Mann

Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e. V. (BuGG)

Albrechtstraße 13

10117 Berlin

Telefon: +49 30 / 40 05 41 02

E-Mail: info@bugg.de

www.gebaeudegruen.info

BuGG President Dr. Gunter Mann (centre) presents the managing directors of Landschaftsarchitektur+ Felix Holzapfel-Herziger (left) and Julian Benesch (right) with the winner’s badges for the “BuGG Green Roof of the Year” 2021. Source: Landschaftsarchitektur+ / BuGG

The roof garden of the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter is an inviting place to take a break. Source: Landschaftsarchitektur+

Winner “BuGG Green Roof of the Year” 2021: The Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter in Hamburg. Source: Landschaftsarchitektur+

The winning object is also a ” luminous highlight ” in the twilight of the evening. Source: Landschaftsarchitektur+

Follow us on our social channels.

Follow us on the channel that best suits you to receive our latest updates!

NEW

LATEST POSTS

Resilience by design? Future-proofing urban environments through green roofs

We are happy to present the WGIN European Chapter latest White Paper, which explores the numerous benefits of green roofs as part of sustainable urban green infrastructure. This document provides an in-depth overview of the benefits of green infrastructure solutions, featuring real case studies that highlight their positive environmental, social and economic impacts. It also outlines the crucial role the European Union has been playing and can continue to play in supporting the widespread adoption of these solutions through effective policies and robust regulatory frameworks. Luigi Petito, Head of Secretariat of WGIN European Chapter: “We are pleased to have access to a powerful new paper highlighting the broad benefits of urban green infrastructure. This will be especially valuable for our ongoing work on the follow-up to the European Water Resilience Strategy and the forthcoming European Climate Adaptation Plan”. Explore the full White Paper here.

WGIN Elects new President and Vice – President | Press Release

June 20, 2025: Brussels – The World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN) is pleased to announce that Steven W. Peck, GRP, GRIMP, Honorary ASLA, founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (North America), has been elected as President of WGIN for a two-year term. Professor Marta Weber Siwirska, president of the Polish Green Roof Association was elected as the new Vice President. Professor Manfred Köhler, who has provided outstanding leadership in advancing green infrastructure across the globe as the President of WGIN will now serve as Past President for a two year term.  “Over the years, WGIN’s leader have worked to promote urban green infrastructure solutions thanks to the inspiring leadership and the huge knowledge of Professor Manfred Köhler. He helped the World Green Infrastructure Network to lay the foundation for where we stand today. As we look to the future, I am excited to work with Marta Weber-Siwirska and my new colleagues to continue the mission of rapidly deploying green roofs, walls and other forms of green infrastructure in cities worldwide”. Said Steven W. Peck, in reflecting on this important milestone in WGIN’s development. In addition to the new President, WGIN is proud to welcome several new members to its Advisory Board. Read here the full Press Release.

European Green Infrastructure Day 2025

European Green Infrastructure Day (EGIDay) is the Brussels based policy conference dedicated to exchange views on the state of affairs of urban green infrastructure in the EU and how to unlock their multiple benefits, for citizens, businesses and the environment. The fourth edition of the EGIDay took place on the 24th of April 2025. The event gathered in person EU policymakers, urban green infrastructure experts, local authorities and NGOs to discuss how to turn European cities from grey to green, contributing to climate adaptation and water resilience of Europe’s urban areas.  Speakers: Moderated by Luigi Petito, Head of European Chapter Secretariat, World Green Infrastructure Network Humberto Delgado Rosa, Director for Biodiversity, DG Environment Jutta Paulus, Member of the European Parliament, Group of the Greens/EFA Emily Bankert, Researcher, Buildings Performance Institute Europe Sirpa Pietikäinen, Member of the European Parliament, Group of the European People’s Party Jure Šumi, President of Management Committee & Member of Advisory Board, World Green Infrastructure Network Read the event report Take a look at the photos Download the full programme