Green roofs and wall

GIC were part of the design team (led by Nicholas Hare Architects) for the £37m refurbishment of the Arup Building, which re-named as the David Attenborough Building, houses the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, which brings together academics, leading global and national nature conservation organisations and the Museum of Zoology.

GIC advised on the incorporation of natural features into the building. These included a green wall in the atrium as well as biosolar green roofs. These were designed to ensure that within the structural constraints, biodiversity could be maximised without causing any negative impact on the PV panels.

The roof has been visited by Black redstarts and a number of interesting hymenopteran species. It was one of the first green roofs in the city, and has inspired Cambridge City Council to build more. They now have a policy for green roofs, which GIC provide support and guidance on.