In September 2023, Sempergreen, in cooperation with Browatech, installed Germany's very first Detention Roof at Schauenstein primary school in Bavaria. This project, part of a Sponge City initiative, provides an innovative solution for water management on sloped roofs. The Detention Roof concept, developed by Sempergreen in cooperation with Browatech, transforms traditional green roofs into a tool for effective rainwater management. By slowly draining rainwater, this water-storing green roof system helps minimise flooding and improves urban water management.
Sustainable urban development: sponge city revolutionises water management
Climate change is increasingly leading to heavy rainfall, as we have already seen in Germany. This heavy rainfall causes major damage due to flooding in urban areas. To counter this development, German cities and municipalities need to take action. The Sponge City is an innovative solution where cities function like sponges by collecting, storing, filtering and reusing rainwater. The Detention Roof concept, a sustainable water management solution, combines sustainable flood protection with biodiversity and drinking water protection.
‘The application of this technology in Schauenstein is a result of the forward thinking of architect Renee Lorenz, engineer Rainer Lang and mayor Florian Schaller,’ says Mario Browa, Managing Director of Browatech.
The Detention Roof in Schauenstein temporarily detains rainwater and delays runoff to prevent flooding.
The Detention Roof: an effective tool for rainwater management
The Detention Roof is an extension of the traditional green roof and makes an important contribution to urban water management. It consists of four layers: vegetation blankets, a water-absorbing intermediate layer, a storage layer with a honeycomb structure, which serves as a temporary water column, and a detention layer for delayed runoff. Read more about detention roofs here.
