ABSTRACT
In this chapter the important relationship between early involvement and collaboration of the entire living roof project team contributes to the success of the design, construction and long-term maintenance of the project. Section 3.1 presents the consultants, their roles and responsibilities, and the path of communication between them and the client. Section 3.2 presents a step-by-step planning process that ultimately leads to the design and maintenance topics covered in the remaining sections of the chapter. These topics include the experiential (planting design) and functional aspects of the roof in terms of meeting project goals (stormwater management, amenity space, promoting biodiversity, etc.); understanding physical and contextual constraints (structural either extensive or intensive roof, climatic, and building-service related either warm or inverted roof assembly); and the technical and mathematical tools required to achieve these goals, overcome constraints and make informed design decisions. Early meetings and effective communication during project planning between the client and design consultants to prioritize objectives and understand potential contradictions ultimately will help streamline the design process and ensure outcomes.
