Collaborative design of sustainable roofs 2005-2008

The roof is the part of building which normally gets minimal attention during the early stages of the building design process. This neglect of focus to the roof is strange as the roof can be used for integration with the energy system of buildings. The roof is an interesting possibility for integrating it with sustainable energy systems. A gap exists between theoretical possible solutions and practical application in design practice. Offering design teams and product developers an appropriate methodology will results in decision support. Within the 6th framework, this Pan-European EURACTIVE ROOFer project aims at development of methodology for supporting new opportunities for increased quality of roofs and the possible contribution of the roof to sustainability. An integral design methodology supportive within the design process of active roofs is developed. This integral design methodology acts as a "bridge" between the architect, who designs architectural roof elements, and the roofer engineer, who engineers sustainable energy application into the roof. By using case studies knowledge-skill profiles are generated for the main design team-participants in the collaborative setting; architect and roofer. These competence profiles will be validated in case studies from practice, master classes and workshops.