Living Roof Live Lab

A rooftop research platform at The Open University exploring how green roofs can be designed to deliver real ecological function.

The project tests how different substrates (including recycled and industrial materials) and plant communities influence biodiversity, resilience, and ecosystem services. By combining full-scale roof experiments with controlled mesocosms, it generates UK-specific evidence on how roofs can support wildlife, regulate temperature, manage water, and contribute to urban sustainability.

The project moves beyond simple species-richness targets, focusing instead on function-led design that works with environmental constraints to create robust, self-sustaining ecosystems in cities.

Working in partnership with the Green Roof Organisation (GRO), the Living Roof Live Lab is helping to inform how green roofs are assessed and delivered in practice, contributing to the development of evidence-based policy and industry standards.

For more information, please contact Paul Griffiths.