Parliament House Canberra

Designed by Romaldo Giurgola of Mitchell, Giurgola and Thorp Architects and constructed almost entirely of Australian materials. The unique blend of impressive architecture, a stunning art collection and beautiful landscape makes Parliament House in Canberra one of Australia’s most significant and popular cultural attractions.
 
The use of Dow Styrofoam™ Roofmate under the grassed areas of Parliament House offers many sustainable ecological and quantifiable environmental benefits including the absorption of solar ultra-violet and infra-red radiation, reduces the reflection of radiation and reduces wind velocity. The “Green Roof” has a significant thermal mass and thus can act as a heat sink, moderating temperature fluctuations. 

Dow Styrofoam™ Roofmate insulation on protected membrane roofs, performs manyfunctions;

• Provides insulation to the building therefore cutting energy costs and providing thermalcomfort to the building occupants.
• Protects mechanically and thermally the expensive membrane, and thereby prevents premature membrane failures which are
  prevalent under harsh climatic conditions as experienced in Canberra.
• Enables rooftop areas to become trafficable and therefore available for other uses such as rooftop traffic decks, promenades, terraces and gardens.

The effective use of Dow Styrofoam™ Roofmate to create a rich living “green roof” to successfully camouflage the high rise building structure is but one of the many outstandingdesign features of Australia’s Parliament House.