The Faroe Islandsan archipelago located between Scotland and Iceland, are known for their green roofsan ancient tradition that today acquires an innovative value in fight against climate change. This architectural approach, born out of necessity, is the result ofadaptation to limited natural resources and harsh climate of the region.
In the absence of abundant building materials such as wood, the first inhabitants of the Faroes began to use grass and peat to cover the roofs of their wooden houses. These grassy roofs not only offered a effective barrier against frequent rain — which feature more than 300 days a year — but also guaranteed a excellent thermal insulation both in winter and summer. Furthermore, the structure guarantees a natural sound insulationmuffling the noise caused by hail, rain or wind.
How green roofs are created
In addition to the practical benefits, green roofs are now considered a sustainable solution to reduce energy consumption. Vegetation above homes contributes to improve energy efficiency reducing the need for heating or cooling. At the same time, grassy roofs help preserve local biodiversity and to mitigate the effects of global warming by absorbing CO2 and filtering the air.
The construction of these roofs requires a specific approach: a waterproof first layerusually made of plastic or similar material, is placed to retain rainwater, followed by several layers of peat and grass. However their construction involves technical challenges as the overall weight can reach hundreds of kilos per square meterrequiring solid structures to support the load.
This tradition, which once responded exclusively to practical needs, today becomes a model of sustainable construction. Green roofs are not only a reminder of the history of the Faroe Islands, but an example of how traditional solutions can effectively integrate with modern strategies to tackle climate change. Their growing popularity demonstrates that innovation, in many cases, can happen rediscovering and valorising the past.
