Commonwealth War Graves Commission installs new ‘Living Roof’ on top of iconic World War One memorial in tribute to fallen soldiers
A pioneering new green ‘Living Roof’ has been installed on the top of one of the most iconic World War One memorials. The Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, has stood in tribute to British soldiers killed during the Great War for almost 100 years. And during recent extensive work bosses at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission decided to completely change the roof as part of the ongoing tribute to those who died.
There is now a mini garden, with a range of plants, on the roof – the first one the CWGC have ever built. CWGC Director of Horticulture David Richardson said: “As part of this restoration, we have introduced a new living – green – roof onto the site.
“This living roof is a first for the CWGC and reflects our broader commitment to embedding sustainable practices into the care of our global sites. With structural modifications to the Menin Gate not permitted, we placed sustainability at the heart of our approach. Featuring two types of planting: a mixed sedum species, and a broader range of low-growing herbaceous plants, the plant distribution will naturally evolve over time.'” Princess Anne re-opened the memorial earlier this month.
The Deputy Director of CWGC Central and Southern Europe Sarah Camerlynck said: “We didn’t just restore the physical structure; we also renewed our promise to keep the names and stories of the fallen alive. This restoration focuses on the monument’s long-term sustainable preservation, ensuring that future generations can continue to remember the important events linked to this commemorative site.”
The CWGC said they were preparing for the next century of honouring the fallen at the Menin Gate, with the introduction of a pioneering Living Roof system on the monument’s newly restored roof.
CWGC spokesman Lewis Brown said: “By implementing the Living Roof, the CWGC is demonstrating its dedication to finding practical solutions that contribute to the preservation of species and the mitigation of climate change effects. It marks a significant step in sustainable preservation, ensuring that the Menin Gate Memorial continues to stand as a symbol of remembrance for generations to come.
“The installation of the Living Roof required various steps, executed by experts in the field. Several factors required careful consideration beforehand, as the Memorial holds UNESCO World Heritage status and is part of the protected Flemish National Heritage.
“This required ensuring that the layout and design of the Living Roof would not compromise the historic integrity of the memorial. Additionally, no structural modifications could be made to the existing design, and the introduction of vegetation needed to be fully reversible.” The Menin Gate Memorial is one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders, covering the Ypres Salient.
It bears the names of more than 54,000 members of the British and Commonwealth forces who died in the Ypres Salient and have no known grave. Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, the memorial was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.
A Living Roof is a roofing system partially or entirely covered with vegetation. It includes a waterproof membrane, drainage system, growing medium usually soil and plants. Living Roofs offer numerous environmental benefits, such as reducing heat absorption (aiding in temperature regulation), improving air quality, managing rainwater run-off by absorbing rain and supporting biodiversity in the area. The Living Roof helps reduce the urban heat island effect and extends the lifespan of the underlying roof structure.