Germany’s First Detention Roof Installed

Sempergreen and Browatech installed Germany’s first Detention Roof at Schauenstein primary school in Bavaria. As part of the Sponge City initiative, this innovative green roof system stores and gradually releases rainwater, reducing flood risks and enhancing sustainable urban water management.

Multifunctional surface

Every part of the roof contributes. Rainwater is buffered and nature is given room to grow.

Climate adaptive design

The roof stores water during heavy rainfall and helps cool the surroundings during summer heat.

Biodiversity in the built environment

A diverse planting plan attracts pollinators, birds and native insects. This turns the roof into a thriving ecosystem.

Schauenstein School Pioneers Bluegreen Roof

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: 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.

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