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Crafting Green Roofs

ABOUT GREEN ROOF TECHNOLOGY

Grandfather Breuning presenting at Garden Show 1936 Stuttgart. Was he also on a Green Roof mission?

Philosophy – Green Roof Mission

Green Roof Mission - tradition, heritage

Jörg Breuning's goal is to offer clients reliable and high-quality expertise, drawing on 45 years of experience across all climate zones. This level of experience is unparalleled globally, and when combined with his ethical and affordable services, clients can see immediate benefits.

Jörg Breuning:

"Throughout the past 45 years, I have discovered that the most effective and resilient Green Roof solutions and Green Infrastructure projects are those that incorporate local resources, eco-friendly materials, or traditional practices. This approach not only minimizes the environmental footprint but also maximizes the return on investment.

My mission and values may not resonate with those who prioritize quick profits at the expense of clients, property owners, or suppliers. I am committed to collaboration that benefits everyone involved. The most successful partnerships are those that consider future generations, strive for excellence, and aim to create a positive legacy."

We love to work with you on your Green Infrastructure project!

Green Roof mission and Green Infrastructure
 

History

Jörg Breuning stands out as a pioneer in the modern Green Roof industry, having significantly influenced its development in Europe and Germany over 45 years ago.

In 1999, he brought the idea of Green Roofs to North America through his company, Green Roof Technology. This initiative has established Green Roof Technology as a foundational entity in the U.S., North America, Caribbean, and Middle East Green Roof movement, with a legacy of over four and half decades dedicated to ecological innovation.

Leadership

We are committed to our leadership role in the industry, having played a pivotal role in founding organizations like Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) and developing Green Roof standards (ASTM). Additionally, we have assisted numerous Americans in launching successful careers within this field. Ultimately, Mr. Breuning has significantly influenced many of the most recognized figures in the North American Green Roof industry.

Science

Jörg Breuning exemplifies dependable, resilient, and lasting scientific research, contrasting sharply with superficial reductionist studies that seek questionable accolades or temporary fame. His deep expertise, paired with significant global experience and hands-on skills, underpins the foundation of his seminars, workshops, and academic presentations.

Green Roof Technology provides crucial elements for sustainable design, champions environmentally friendly solutions, and endorses Cradle to Cradle principles across North America, enabling the implementation of innovations at multiple levels. The company prioritizes practical assistance and vital resources over fleeting trends.

Green Roof Mission rooted in 

Our roots are growing deep! Crafting Green Infrastructure for over 45 years.
Find out more about industry changing innovation here: Innovations by Jörg Breuning.
 

Eye-level view of Jorg standing on a green roof, inspecting the integrated Solar modules. First in the world Solar Green Roof selfie in 1997 Solar Green Roof (some say incorrectly Biosolar)

Green Roof Infrastructure and Green Roof Expert

Jörg Breuning is the founder and owner of Green Roof Technology, a firm specializing in Green Infrastructure and Green Roof design, engineering, consulting, material sourcing, plant selection, and - most importantly - construction supervision.

Mr. Breuning's extensive experience also covers all aspects around structural topics, roofing, waterproofing, and maintenance of Green Roofs and Green Walls. This includes Food Roofs or Urban Agriculture, Blue/Green Roofs, Brownfield Roofs, Wetland Roofs, Solar Garden Roofs (old term: Biosolar), Retention Roofs, Bioroofs, and any combination of the mentioned, in any climate zone on Earth.

Prioritizing practicality over jargon, focusing on straightforward solutions and hands-on work, turns out as an unique and hard to find value in the construction industry.

Green Roof Mission in North AmericaJorg Breuning collaborated on over 15 Award winning projects in Germany and USA

Approachable

Streamlining every project from feasibility, technical design to construction documents through collaborative efforts. Experienced guidance during the bidding phase, construction administration, and project management enhances profitability. Standing out with practical training, installer support, and design-build options, Green Roof Technology effectively addresses any challenges that come up.

Jörg Breuning emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and expertise to cultivate new experts who promote green technology for a sustainable future. This website offers more detailed information and useful news than any other in the industry, reflecting our commitment to this cause.

Career and Development of a Green Roof Mission
Education - Innovation

25 minutes read

1980

1st September 1980, starting 2 years apprenticeship at Arnold GmbH, one of the first Green Roof company in Germany with around $2 million revenue annually in Green Roofs. Simultaneously,  2 year study at the world’s oldest Horticultural school in Stuttgart, Germany.

1982

Receiving national acknowledgement and award as certified Horticulturalist and Landscaper.

1983

Foremen and manager of landscaping crews in Green Roof installations. Moreover these projects still exist today. Additionally received Green Roof installer certification by the world’s largest system manufacturer (today Optigrün International). 

1985

Starting at horticultural school at University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. University was founded by King William I of Württemberg in 1818 after the eruption of the Indonesian volcano Mount Tambora 1815. Because the volcano outbreak triggered a global climate change, the need for agricultural and horticultural improvements were in need. It is Stuttgart's oldest university since its primary areas of specialization were traditionally agricultural and natural sciences.

1986

During courses of study at University of Hohenheim, the parent company of Green Roof Technology was founded. Specializing in the installation and maintenance of Green Roofs (Name: Dach+Wand Grün)

1987

Receiving certification as national approved horticultural and landscape Technician. Additionally with state educator license and landscape designer license.
Innovations, Inventions, and Developments

1989

Development of single-layerGreen Roof Systems extensive Green Roof system and promoting biodiversity on green Roofs. As a result, awarded with contract for more than 300,000sf of green roof on schools within City of Stuttgart.

1990

First improvements of Hydro-seeding equipment for Green Roof applications. In addition with hydro-mulch from production waste.

1991

First Green Roof company with specialization of biological treatments against specific pests. In fact the treatment was applied by hydro-seeder.

1994

First patent application by Green Roof Technology with a solution for greening high speed rail road tracks below 120 miles per hours. Main use for sound adsorbing.

1996

External project manager and crew coordinator for Green Roof projects. Specifically at Mercedes-Benz - Daimler production facilities, totaling over 1.5 million sf of Green Roofs within 2 years. World's first Solar Green Roof (with sun tracking and mirrors).

1998

Independent design and project manager at a zero runoff warehouse project. Additionally, installation crew coordination for 510,000sf of Green Roof in only three months.
North America and World

1999

External project manager, design coordinator and installation educator at City Hall Chicago Green Roof project for Charlie Miller. Further in depth education for plants growers like Green Roof Plants (Ed Snodgrass), providing literature for GRHC, and engineering soil blends for Midwest Trading Inc.

2001

The first official introducing of the German FLL guideline to North America (the mother of all American Green Roof Guidelines).

2002

Design support, engineering solutions and installation management for most award winning Green Roof project of Roofscapes - Roofmeadow, Inc.. Roofscapes was the first design, engineering and build firm for Green Roofs in North America with the most awarded project in the USA. Additionally, consulting and key advisor for the first Green Roof research in NA at PennState University.

2003

Developing the first Green Roof installer trainings and promoting to landscaping firms. Practical installer training for Furbish Company, Tecta America, Green Roof Solutions, and NY Green Roofs. In fact all of these companies are now key players in the green roof industry.

2004

Finally a big move. Relocating of German Green Roof consulting firm to the USA as Green Roof Service LLC, Green Roof Technology. Further introduction of high efficient Green Roof components that didn't exist in NA. Following with the creation of a product line at Resource  Conservation Technology, Inc. Setting up a production for the first US produced Sedum mats at Emory Knoll Farms.

2005

Co-Founder of Rooflite and Skyland, LLC. The first company in North America for certified Green Roof growing media with the most projects served in the USA. Company share sold in 2010 to avoid conflict of interest in independent Green Roof consulting.

2006

First meeting for creating ASTM Green Roof standards with an in-depth introduction of updated FLL guideline. Further education of ASTM participants.

2007

Invited as an advisor for Green Roof educational courses 301 and 401 at GRHC. Today known as Green Roof Professional Training. Simultaneously executing of first hydro-seeding project on Green Roofs in Chicago.

2008

Key contractor and project manager for Green Roof installations on Celebrity Cruise Ships. In summary five Cruise ships totaling 60,000sf real lawn. Because all the projects still exist today and travel the world thin all climate zones on Earth, it was awarded multiple times. The "Lawn Club" is still in the Top 10 of customer experience at Celebrity Cruise.

2008

Green Roof growing media testing standards established in North America. Connecting Penn State University (USA) with Geisenheim Universitiy in Germany (Prof. Dr. Stephan Roth-Kleyer) to start the first Green Roof media testing laboratory in North America with "FLL" tests. Still today (2023) the leading testing lab in North America.

2008/9

Inauguration and introduction of the first integrated Solar Green Roof system to North America. Of course with two demonstration projects. One in New York City and one in Sterling, VA. See also more Solar Garden Roofs

2010

Advisory and consulting services for Green Roofs on Caribbean islands and start of growth media production in Dominican Republic. All materials were based on recycled materials or renewable components.  Update 2023: leading Green Roof Growth media producer in the Caribbean. 

2012

First project with Foam Glass Gravel in North America. Because closed cell Foam Glass didn't exist in the USA, the product was shipped from Germany. Totaling 38 container loads and installed in 3 weeks on a zero run-off Green Roof in San Francisco, California.

2014

Introduction of the first advancement for fully integrated Solar Green Roof systems. This Solar Garden System was the most sold Biosolar, Argisolar or combined Green Roof with Solar system in 2020. However, the entire North American is still a little fraction (10%) compared to Germany in regards of new Solar Green Roofs installed annually.

2015/16

Another first in North America by Jörg Breuning - Green Roof Technology: First Green Roof system developed with open cell Foam Glass made in USA. Successfully used on projects in Houston, Texas and California! The start for Cradle-to-Cradle on Green Roofs and the start for investors to look into the FoamGlass Gravel (ULA) production in USA - see also 2019.

2017

Different cooperation agreements with solar companies to provide high-level design-build solution of Solar Green Roofs. Introducing collaborations between different trades (Green Roof, Solar, Roofing etc.) to fulfil the demand for combined solutions, maximizing the environmental benefits for structures. Free lance Chief Innovation Officer and product developments for various Green Roof suppliers and roofing manufacturers.

2018

Key Consultant for Aero Aggregates Inc. for the living green market. Foam Glass gravel is produced from 100% recycled glass, it is an environmentally friendly replacement for polystyrene (geofoam) in the Green Roof industry. Aero Aggregates Inc. was the first Foamglass Aggregate producer in North America on a large scale. 

2019

Dubai, UAE: Sustainable Pavilion, world exhibition 2020(2021/COVID).  Green Roof design and engineering support for Grimshaw Architects American design firm for Sustainable Pavilion in Dubai, world exhibition in 2020 (2021/COVID). Grimshaw Architects here.

2020

Riyadh, KSA: In-depth advisory, knowledge transfer, and consulting services for Water-Wealth. The first Design-Build and full service Green Roof and Green Wall company in KSA is now able to design and engineer low water consumption Green Roofs with locally sourced components, recycled materials or sustainably sources components. Solutions go beyond one-size-fits-all solutions from any other European Green Roof suppliers. Since 2024 working with Bodeker Architects.

2020

Innovation, inventing and developing of “Monolithic Platform” and first opensource KLIMA ROOF Green Roof system. It is the most flexible, effective and economic Green Roof system solution on the world market and suitable for all climate zones including deserts. With a few - mostly locally sourced components - it allows any type of Green Roof, Blue Green Roof to be combined with non-penetrating technical systems like Solar, railings, HVAC, roof anchors, other safety devices or any amenity options. The system is supported by all roofing warranties on the market. Originally made in the USA but possible any where with an overall recycled content over 75%.

2020/21

World's First: NO PLASTIC Green Roof with 100% recycled or renewable resources and with Cradle-to-Cradle options. Green Roof without the use of plastic were veery common before the Green Roof revolution 1970 started in Germany. Thus, many Non-Plastic Green Roofs we see today are often older than 60-150 years, some are over 200 years old. Such old Green Roofs are hard to imagine in our fast-paced, plastic dominated world but the plants have the most natural environment possible to often outperform modern Green Roofs with over engineered materials.

2021

Green Riyadh project, King Salman Park, is one of the most ambitious urban forestation projects in the world. Jorg Breuning - Green Roof Technology - was honored to contribute the basic and advanced understanding of sustainable Green Roofs to the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Boeri Architects and Omrania Architects in multiple workshops. 

2022

Sustainable and resilient Green Roof engineering for multiple high-end residential projects in the Caribbean (e.g. Turk & Caicos, St. John Virgin Islands) with water collecting and water saving natural soil profiles allowing native vegetation. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for Green Roof for Apple at Apple store in Miami, FL.

2023/24

KALBA ROCK ART CENTER, UAE: Key consultant for the world's first desert style Green roof that seamlessly merge from roof into a unique desert native landscape. Together with Pragma Architecture the goal is to make this project standout but also hide in a delicate natural environment with the use of selected natural and locally source materials. Project management is crucial and over 43 years of project experience streamline the construction.

2024/25

North America's first vertical PV and Micro Windmill Green Roof system. Research project increasing renewable energy from Green Roofs without giving-up valuable space for vegetation to improve stormwater management and reduce Heat Island Effects. 

Proud of having the longest Green Roof History in the world.

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Green Roof Consulting

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Contact

USA: Baltimore, MD 21234

Phone: +1 443.three four five.1578

Email: info (at) greenrooftechnology.com

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