Different from a green roof in that its aim is to increase biodiversity and habitat space in urban areas, the LDA Design project was a joint scheme with ecologists Baker Shepherd Gillespie (BSG).

Following completion of the construction of the roof at a site being redeveloped by Berkeley Homes in south east London, BSG undertook monitoring of invertebrate colonisation as a part of its biodiversity research programme.

LDA Design partner Neil Mattinson said: "During the past five years brown roofs and other forms of vegetated architecture have achieved a significantly enhanced profile and are entering into the mainstream of planning and built development.

In addition to creating foraging, nesting and overwintering habitats for diverse fauna, brown roofs assist with the retention of valuable 'wasteland' and endangered urban habitats and encourage the protection and regeneration of native plant species."

The project won the Sustain Magazine Biodiversity Award 2010.