Up on the Roof . . . Green Roof, that is! By Steven Peck & Damon van der Linde, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, Toronto Toronto City Hall?EUR??,,????'?????< Photo: Damon van der Linde, and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities |
Few other green building technologies offer as many benefits as green roofs, from improving energy efficiency and reducing the urban heat island effect, to providing much needed green spaces that help reduce stress and create jobs. And these benefits accrue to the public and private sectors. Private benefits are those that flow to the building owner, occupants or users, such as reduced heating and cooling costs. Reduction in stormwater runoff and improved air quality are examples of public benefits. All these benefits are achieved through multidimensional, integrated design of green roofs. ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR  The Louisa in Portland, Ore. is a residential high-rise apartment building with 242 apartments and ground floor retail. The center of the retail podium houses a 8,071 sq. ft. green roof of drought-tolerant and native species that reduces stormwater runoff, mitigates the urban heat-island effect and provides visual interest. The 1-2 ft. deep growing media comprises sand loam, pumice and organic matter (compost). The primary maintenance task is manual removal of weeds. No herbicide is used, and the fertilizers contain no phosphorous. Drip irrigation is used during the summer when evapotransporation rates are highest. Landscape architects and the maintenance contractor monitor soil composition changes, plant health and irrigation balancing. Photo: Walker Macy Landscape Architects, and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR What Is a Green Roof? ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR  TWA headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri is a historical preservation and a sustainable design demonstration project. The landscape vision was an elevated urban prairie of native grasses and wildflower varieties (considered very challenging in such shallow soils) within a backdrop of four sedum varieties. The winter season ?EUR??,,????'?????< Photo: El Dorado Inc., and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
Green roofs can be ?EUR??,,????'?????< ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR  The 909 Walnut Fidelity Tower Building, refurbished to provide 34 floors of beautiful, spacious luxury suites for high-rise living, is the tallest apartment building in Missouri. Atop the new eight-story parking garage is a lush garden. The landscape design fills a green void in this densely-packed downtown area. Photo: Jeffrey L. Bruce & Co.
Green Roofs Needed ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR  One hundred feet above Chicago?EUR??,,????'?????< Photo: Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, LLC, and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
With reduced stormwater runoff, smaller roof drains may be possible on a green roof. Stormwater and sewage systems involve high capital investment into the components, continual maintenance and inspection. A 2005 study by the Casey Trees Endowment Fund, ?EUR??,,????'?????< Studies shown traditional roof runoff contains high concentrations of pollutants from rainwater, roofing materials and atmospheric deposition. The plants and growing media on green roofs help decontaminate runoff, loading fewer pollutants into the stormwater system. ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR  The Broadway Tech Centre office park in Vancouver, B.C. is built on a hillside, a former brownfield site. Buildings No. 1, 5 and 7 are registered for Gold LEED status with the Canada Green Building Council. A sports field, caf????????(C) patios, entrance plazas and sport courts share the green rooftop spaces. Water features are abundant. Lawn, shrubs and landscape berms support trees on slabs, surrounded by an all-weather synthetic turf field. Large canopy trees shade portions of the hardscape. Photo: Sharp & Diamond Landscape Architecture Inc., and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
Some relief of natural areas for wildlife can be sustained through green roofs, although they are not intended to replace true natural areas, but they can complement green corridors and wildlife habitats in urban settings. In highly populated areas, green roofs could represent ?EUR??,,????'?????< Even in densely populated areas, beneficial insects, birds, bees and butterflies can be attracted to green roofs. Native plant selections usually fare better in these instances, since they have evolved with animals that depend on them for food, shelter and cover. ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR  The Gary Comer Youth Center, in one of Chicago?EUR??,,????'?????< Photo: John Ronan Architect, and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR LEED ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR  Building 607 at O?EUR??,,????'?????< Photo: Barrett Co., and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
Professionals Needed The Green Roofs for Healthy Cities?EUR??,,????'?????< In January of 2007, GRHC gathered a group of 16 subject matter experts in Toronto for a two-day workshop, resulting in the development of a set of occupational standards for an accredited Green Roof Professional (GRP). A GRP must pass a written exam on design, installation, waterproofing, drainage, plants and growing media. With the inherently interdisciplinary nature of green roofs, GRP accreditation provides a common language between professions. ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR  When Sanitation District No. 1 took on responsibility of stormwater management for three Northern Kentucky counties, the district wanted to set a regional example of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), which included a green roof for the administration building expansion. The green roof assembly comprises 3,600 sq. ft. of ?EUR??,,????'?????< Photo: Sanitation District No. 1, Ft. Wright, Kentucky, and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR Green Roof Event ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR  Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. is committed to sustainable development. The new building, evaluated for Gold status under the USGBC?EUR??,,????'?????< Photo: The Garland Company, Inc., and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities ???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR |
