Tosei Corporation, a Japanese real estate developer dealing in personal homes such as condominiums and houses as well as commercial facilities and office buildings, announced in June, 2006 a new policy under which it will install rooftop gardens using green panel-type units on all the properties it owns. As of March, 2007, the company has installed rooftop gardens on 25 of its buildings, with another eight under construction.

Tosei conducted thermal observations in August, 2006 at its Takanawa Tosei Building, which has a 123-square-meter rooftop garden. Temperatures of the air, of exposed concrete surface, of the soil and of the rooftop under the green panels were measured. Results showed a maximum temperature difference at noon between the exposed concrete surface and under the green panels was 27.9 degrees Celsius.

According to the company's measurements, temperatures in the soil and under the green panels were almost constant, averaging 26.5 and 28.5 degrees Celsius respectively during August and September, 2006. These results indicate that installing green panels on rooftops helps moderate the buildings' temperature while also helping to prevent wear and tear.

Encouraged by these data, the company intends to continue actively promoting the use of rooftop gardens.

http://www.toseicorp.co.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2007/09/10 02:38:11 PM
Japanese version

TAG Global warming , Non-manufacturing industry