University of Glasgow, Small Animal Hospital

Bauder intensive landscaping and substrate system

Synopsis

Set within the Garscbue Estate, the hospital forms part of the University of Glasgow's faculty of veterinary medicine. Archial Group, the architect, designed the new build project with as minimal visual impact as possible, so the building was constructed within the side of a hill with a green roof. Towards the end of the roof’s construction a seeded grass finish was opted for.

Past experience proves that the open texture of traditional substrates can allow the seed to be blown off the roof and to migrate down into the growing medium to a point where it cannot germinate properly, creating a patchy finish. To prevent this, Bauder developed a specialist seed bed substrate mix to be used as a topdressing over their traditional intensive substrate, allowing the use of a grass seed mix that could easily blend with the surrounding grassland.

The seeds were dressed onto this top-dressing using traditional sowing techniques and equipment, which delivered both optimum germination and the swift establishment of a healthy, even greensward. The building seamlessly blends into its surroundings, inviting visitors to explore the roof top vantage.