According to Green Roof Technology, adding one of these satisfies 2 LEED credits and there are several options for more credits upon stormwater efficiency, energy performance, and system reuse. After first observing this green roof, the perception of why it was constructed can be just a LEED requirement meant and nothing further. An environmentally friendly roof with vegetation is rare to be seen around Florida, so this is the result of unawareness. Benefits of a green roof can be unbelievable, especially if constructed in large amounts in big cities.
This remarkable idea for vegetation on rooftops has been around for quite some time, but the past few years it has substantially increased in awareness. Green Roofs For Healthy Cities (GRHC) formed in 2004 and is one big non-profit association that provides information and professional development to those interested. There are even over 500 registered Green Roof Professionals (GRP) that have to be qualified on all types of roof systems that help building efficiency and the environment. Having an official title to acquire like this is beneficial to make sure the builder knows what they are doing in the rare scope addition of a green roof. This is the time to produce quality sustainable systems that work well, and the results can be shown off as successful examples to advance green roofs in big cities.
Big, world cities tend to be hotter and the people care less about environmental concerns. New York is one of the most well-know cities of the world, and the construction of most larger buildings occurred years ago when environmental impacts were rarely considered. Awareness is surely growing with the help of national associations as well as local companies like New York Green Roofs. Future construction and renovation will have options to revamp the skyline with sustainable solutions. This is one example of a small specialized contractor that can assist in creating an elite and functional green roof. The New York Times Opinionator submission Green Roofs in Big Cities Bring Relief From Above clearly defines general problems of New York and how green roofs can help reduce harmful effects. Most roofs contain dark surfaces that absorb and heat up to extremely high temperatures. New York is a prime urban heat island with the average summer temperature 7 degrees hotter than the outside suburbs. Stormwater runoff is fast-paced and the sewers are outdated, so a bunch of soil beds would help control, hold, and possibly reuse rooftop water. Getting rid of black roofs, fast-paced water runoff, and high air conditioning costs will be immediate benefits if a green roof movement grows in these busy areas.
Keeping with Rinker Hall's construction, it contains large cisterns that giving it another reason why it is a good example for future green buildings. The Gainesville Sun article Cisterns Help UF Building Cut Water Use, define these cisterns and their efficiency. Dr. Charles Kibert helped define this process, as one 8,000 gallon and two green roof 1,500 gallon containers collect rainwater to be reused through piping to the restrooms. The average campus building uses about 40,000 gallons per month and Rinker Hall saves about 36,000 gallons per month with these cisterns. There are several examples out there of successful green roof systems and what they can deliver back to your building in life-cycle costs.
The idea of green roofs is commendable with proper research in respect to the climate conditions. Granted, the benefits of green roofs helps to reduce factors, like the heat island effect, by adding an extra layer of barrier between the sun and other environmental factors, however, many seem to overlook the upkeep a green roof requires and without the proper installation and maintenance, the idea falters short of its intention. I believe with a mindful approach, green roofs will succeed as more than just easily acquired LEED point.
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DeleteGreen roofs, despite their cost, do offer a number of positive benefits that are worth consideration. Most of the pros listed tend to promote the longevity of the roof and its insulation qualities, but via your article links I found an interesting study, which was a new idea to me, on how green roofs can actually enhance the performance of solar panel efficiency. Essentially, because the plants reduce the ambient air temperature and mitigate the heat island effect on rooftops they create a better environment for solar cells, which perform best at lower temperatures. Perhaps this is a 'new' systems combination that will occur more often in the future, since they appear to be mutually beneficial.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.off-grid.net/2012/12/01/green-roofs-may-help-solar-panels-perform-better/
I was aware of some of the benefits of green roofs in urban areas, but had not really thought about the point you raised regarding run-off reduction. I am sure this could be a big benefit. It would be interesting to see how well rainwater collection cisterns would work on larger buildings. It's one thing to implement rainwater collection cisterns on a three story building like Rinker Hall, but I am sure that installing and using cisterns on especially large buildings in New York City would be quite an undertaking.
ReplyDeleteGreen Roofing Technology has definitely added numerous benefits over conventional roofing and its laudable how it’s gaining immense popularity all over U.S. in spite of the high initial investment. One of the practices of green roofing that was intriguing was that of using the rooftop areas for urban agriculture. Growing interest in urban agriculture has led to using the roofs for cultivating vegetables and herbs. This use of rooftop space of commercial as well as residential buildings has great potential, and rooftop agriculture is likely to increase. The Bastille Restaurant and McMahon Hall in Seattle grow vegetables for food service while Alcyone Apartments and Florera Apartments in Seattle are maintained by residents.
ReplyDeleteNice blog Blake! I have found some information about the UF Perry construction yard green roof that I think I should mention them here. Among them, its irrigation system seemed interesting to me which is drip irrigation w/reclaimed water backup. For further information, the roof is 2,600 square foot flat concrete deck with 5” soil media (28-30 lbs/sf). Also, 9 out of 10 plants that were used were natives. So, they were used to Florida weather conditions. However, they were dead quite a few years ago and were replanted recently.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Dr. David Prevatt (Civil Engineering Department) and Dr. Glenn Acomb have done a research on wind resistance of green roof systems, using the Perry construction yard for their tests.
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ReplyDeletehere is the link if you are interested:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CEoQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.floridabuilding.org%2Ffbc%2Fcommission%2FFBC_0812%2FHRAC%2FVegetative_Roof%2520Presentation-2011-12_UF_FBC_Project.pdf&ei=xLQKUeO6E8uzqQG1lYHgAw&usg=AFQjCNFOEq2q4XFvM8ZqxRrgywnZ5QixQQ&sig2=vqj4LcUW_EUiygYxkQdWDg&bvm=bv.41642243,d.b2U&cad=rja
This is a great topic. One aspect of green roofs that I have read about is urban farming, both speculative and practical applications. In New York City, there have already been some projects that have explored urban farming, hydroponic planters, and water reclamation. This addresses many urban issues you touched upon as well as social issues that cities face such as food deserts. It could be an interesting topic to expand upon for future posts. On a larger social scale, the Highline Elevated Park in NYC is also a form of a green roof. In the case of the Highline, an abandoned rail line was adapted into a public park, transforming the space into a green oasis above the bustling streets below. If you are not familiar with the project, it is definitely worth checking out.
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