Raising the Green Roof
From chic patio spaces to serene pools, building rooftops serve as an extension of commercial and residential spaces and utilize a space sometimes ignored. But what if there was a way to transform a roof into something more than just an extra level to play and soak in views? That’s where “green roofs” come in and present a new way to upgrade rooftops so that they’re sustainable, functional, and beautiful—a lush oasis atop an urban structure, seeming to perfectly personify the future of responsible, mindful development within cities.
So, what exactly is a green roof and how does one install one? A green roof, or a vegetated roof, is comprised of multiple layers of roofing, drainage, soil, and plants. It’s more involved than your standard rooftop garden with a few potted plants and herb boxes. In fact, green roofs are rather incredible displays of engineering. In rainy cities, like Seattle, green roofs can filter significant amounts of rainfall, reducing polluted runoff. During hotter months, green roofs are able to retain up to 90 percent of rainfall and up to 40 percent during colder months. They also improve air quality (by filtering pollutants through plant photosynthesis) and can help regulate temperature. The plants on green roofs also help our bee friends thrive—which, as we know, is crucial to slowing climate change.
In areas of the world where space is limited, like major cities, the issue of utilizing buildings and space most efficiently is often top of mind. For many city-dwellers, their apartment might not offer an outdoor space at all, let alone one that’s more than just a concrete deck or uninspiring courtyard. By taking advantage of a whole expanse of unused square footage and transforming it into a garden where residents—or employees or visitors if it’s a commercial building—can benefit from a lush, natural space without ever leaving their building, green roofs create a shared space that fosters community and encourages visitors to participate in sustainability—both actively and passively. Many green roofs also serve as a food co-op, allowing residents to share in cultivating the garden and reaping the rewards of their shared harvest.
Think of how lovely it is to walk past a tended garden as you traverse a city, and now imagine that same sight as you look upwards and see similar gardens throughout the skyline. From the meticulously landscaped four-story green roof of the Meera Sky Garden House on the island of Sentosa in Singapore to the dome-shaped roof at the center of a Denmark skatepark, green roof design continuously awes in its ingenuity and creativity. These striking designs manage to both cultivate and captivate. Although the US has been slower to take up the sustainable design trend than other parts of the world, green roofs are becoming increasingly more popular. In fact, Seattle is home to a special public green roof: the Olympic Structure Park. This roof boasts views of Elliott Bay and connects three different structures with sprawling greenery and beautiful sculptures along its pathways.
Some builders are hesitant to incorporate green roofs into their building design, due to various factors like cost, supply, and labor. However, green roofs should be seen as an investment, paying off for everyone down the line—including the building owners, the people who occupy the space, and the surrounding population who can hopefully look forward to living in a greener city. For more on green roofs or how Seattle developers are implementing more sustainable design features, reach out to me today.