Background
One Hyde Park is set in a truly unique location – with the elegance and excitement of bustling Knightsbridge to the south, and the romance and serenity of historic Hyde Park to the north – not to mention world famous Buckingham Palace being only a short walk away. The development comprises 86 luxurious apartments and duplexes, including several spacious penthouses, providing unrivalled views across beautiful Hyde Park. The development is also ideally situated for getting around London quickly and easily, being just a one-minute walk away from London underground’s vast Piccadilly Line.
The Project
Access Irrigation were responsible for providing the design, supply, and installation of the complete One Hyde Park Roof Irrigation system (apart from the pump and tank which were supplied by others) for the extensive green roof planted on the substantial podium directly above the developments main entrance, as well as several planters running along in a straight line at ground level next to the entrance.
The system was fully automated, using a highly reliable Heron irrigation controller featuring a large digital display for easy, accurate programming. To prevent operation in wet weather an adjustable rain sensor was included, thereby preventing water wastage, and ensuring that only the correct amount of water was applied. To comply with the Water Regulations, the system included a pre-assembled break tank and pump supplied by others (as mentioned above), with the tank including a Type AB air gap to prevent backflow into the public mains.
The watering was divided into 5 separate zones to enable efficient, managed watering – 4 zones were used to water the green roof, and 1 zone was used to water the planters below. Hunter PGV solenoid valves were used to split the system – one valve used for each zone. The valves included flow control adjustment and manual override for emergency operation. Each solenoid valve is opened and closed in sequence by the controller. When the first valve opens, the pump will detect a drop in pressure (due to pressure release from the open valve) and will begin to operate to boost the pressure back up again. This will cause water to flow through the first (now open) solenoid valve to water the first zone. The controller closes the first valve, and immediately opens the next valve in the sequence. Once the last valve has closed, the water flow will cease, pressure will build again, and the pump will stop operating.
The solenoid valves were conveniently housed within underground valve boxes located at the edge of the green roof, with a camouflaged cover fitted at the top of each valve box to allow access when required, whilst simultaneously providing protection and hiding the valve boxes from view. 25mm MDPE supply pipe ran from the pump and tank (located within a plant room at basement level for protection – controller also located there) to the planter level, teeing off to a single solenoid valve housed in an additional small valve box within one of the planters, with further supply pipe then continuing up to the two 2-zone underground valve boxes at the green roof level.
Highly efficient Permadrip Pro dripline was used to water the planters, with 20mm MDPE supply pipe running from the solenoid valve at the planter level to the dripline positioned on the surface of each planter. Anchorage pegs were included to hold the dripline in place, with stopends being used to terminate each run of dripline upon reaching the end of each planter.
25mm MDPE supply pipe was used to run from each of the 4 solenoid valve outlets at the green roof level to high quality Hunter PGP Ultra popup sprinklers watering the roof – with either 3 or 4 sprinklers used for each zone, depending on location – 14 sprinklers being used in total. These sprinklers were positioned along both opposite edges of the rectangular shaped podium – facing inwards to water at half circle angles, with substantial spray overlap to ensure that all areas in the centre were also watered evenly. At each of the four corners a sprinkler was positioned to spray inwards at quarter circle angles.
The Installation
Our experienced engineers were responsible for the installation of the One Hyde Park Roof Irrigation system, testing and commissioning of the system (minus the pump and tank as mentioned above). This was carried out in phases according to actual site conditions and the program of works. Once the installation was complete, we provided the client with full instructions on the operation and maintenance of the system to enable them to experience its full benefits.
The Result
Our project for the One Hyde Park Roof Irrigation system has helped a green roof located in an extremely prestigious area to thrive, with this welcome splash of nature further enhancing the world-famous development and boosting its green credentials. We are delighted with the result and are proud to play our part in helping to promote urban greening in the UK’s capital city.
