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2009:
The kingdom of orchids: Taiwan
eTaiwan News, by Cho Yin-cheng
December 31, 2009
Taiwan. "...Greenery decoration in urban areas can help economize
on space if planted in a vertical direction. Renowned French botanist
Patrick Blanc is famed for such innovation and has recently created
two green walls in the National Theater in Taipei.
Dedicated Dec. 11, Blanc's brainchild "Orchid Waltz" is a perfect
symbol of Taiwan's orchid industry. Orchid Waltz' is made up of
two separate green walls: one displays Taiwan's native
species, and the other demonstrates Taiwan's technological advances..."
Greening zoning codes to match city's sustainable mindset
Daily Journal of Commerce, by Nathalie Weinstein
December 30, 2009
Portland, OR. "Portland has a reputation of being at the
cutting edge of sustainable building and design. But its current
zoning codes that regulate installations of solar panels,
eco-roofs and other energy-efficient technologies on new
and existing buildings are behind the times...A recommended draft
of the city’s fifth Regulatory Improvement Code Amendment Package
is set to be reviewed by Portland City Council...As solar panels
and eco-roofs become nearly as common as doors or
windows, new code amendments would allow faster permitting of those
green features on certain structures..."
Benefits of green roofs being seen around world
The Lindsay Post, by Alexandra Powers
December 30, 2009
World. "In a world where urban centres are growing rapidly
by the day, there seems to be less space available for natural vegetation,
such as trees and other plants...A green, or living, roof
refers to a roof of a building that is at least partially covered
with vegetation, and they provide many benefits...If the idea of
a green roof caught your attention, there are many
websites online which provide a lot of great information. Two excellent
resources are the City of Toronto website, which has a section titled
Green Roofs, and
www.greenroofs.com."
Nation's First On-site Wind Turbine at General Aviation Facility
Installed
Environmental Leader, by Staff
December 30, 2009
Burlington, VT. "The General Aviation Facility at Vermont’s
Burlington International Airport is the first such facility in the
U.S. to have installed an on-site wind turbine...In addition to
the renewable energy aspects, Heritage Aviation is installing a
rainwater collection and reuse system, as well as one of the largest
green roofs in the New England area..."
ISG Jackson Special Projects secures Enfield school projects
Construction News Portal, by Staff
December 30, 2009
London, England. "ISG Jackson Special Projects has secured
two projects totalling £2.25 million with the London Borough of
Enfield to extend and modernise facilities at Raglan Junior School
and Raglan Infants School...Aiming to achieve a very good BREEAM
environmental performance rating, the Junior School extension features
solar collectors to help heat the water supply, whilst the addition
to the Infants School boasts a living green roof..."
Cool Green Walls and Balconies on the New Buenos Aires Museum of
Modern Art
Treehugger, by Paula Alvarado
December 29, 2009
Buenos Aires, Argentina. "...Green walls and
balconies will give the building and its pieces of art a new life...Designed
by architect Emilio Ambasz and donated to the city more than 12
years ago, the project seeks to unite two different existing buildings
into one cultural space through a green facade..."
SMSC celebrates 40 years
Jordan Independent, by Katrina Styx
December 28, 2009
Jordan, MN. "...Over the last 40 years the Shakopee Mdewakanton
Sioux Community has been transformed from an economically distressed
reservation to one of the most economically successful Indian tribes
in the United States...The WRF also has one of the largest
green roofs in the Midwest, which reduces energy costs
and consumption, prolongs the life of the roof, and treats storm
water..."
Eco Architecture: Project Green – A sustainable mixed-use development
for Austin
Ecofriend Blog, by Staff
December 28, 2009
Austin, TX. "Architects all over the world are busy designing
developments that are sustainable and have minimal impact on the
delicate ecosystem...The Project Green will maximize water conservation
by harvesting rainwater and reusing gray water. Green roofs
will also help prevent storm water runoff, while helping in regulating
the interior temperatures..."
Fort Worth' growing green legacy
Fort Worth Star Telegram, by Staff
December 27, 2009
Fort Worth, TX. "The unusual groundbreaking this month for
a building adjacent to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden spoke to the
uniqueness of a world-recognized organization that deservedly is
getting a new home fit for the public not only to behold but to
use...Instead of participants using shovels to toss dirt in the
air, dignitaries at the ceremony for the Botanical Research Institute
of Texas’ groundbreaking planted grass from the Fort Worth prairie
that will be part of the building’s 'living' roof...."
Put a LID on Stormwater
Sightline Daily, by Lisa Stiffler
December 23, 2009
Seattle, WA. "Low-impact development and limiting sprawl
are the solutions for stormwater...For roofs, that can mean building
green roofs that are covered in soil and plants that
trap and hold water where it falls.
Seattle's City Hall, the new Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
building, and the
Portland Building are all capped in green roofs..."
Green Roofed London Hotel is Buried Underground
Inhabitat.com, by Evelyn Lee
December 23, 2009
London, England. "This five star hotel is going under – underground
that is! Designed by ReardonSmith Architects for a proposed development
at Hersham Golf Club in Surrey, London, this new subterranean hotel
will pay its ultimate respects to London’s Green Belt by placing
all 200+ guest rooms underneath it! The entire scheme is covered
with a plush green roof that takes its cue from the
surrounding countryside..."
U.S. Green Building Council Maryland Announces 2010 Advocacy Agenda
PR Newswire, Press Release
December 22, 2009
Baltimore, MD. "...New government buildings in Maryland are
currently required to be green and achieve a minimum of LEED Silver
certified rating. Require those buildings, and any roof replacement
on existing buildings, to have no less than 50% green roof
coverage (a vegetated roof or appropriate reflective white roof).
Such measures can be incorporated in a cost effective manner..."
Climate Change and Sustainable Development: The Quest for Green
Communities - Part 2
Water World, by John R. Nolon
December 22, 2009
World. "...The emerging field of "low-impact development"
experiments with pervious alleys and green roofs in
urban projects and, in compact suburban developments, vegetated
swales that replace curbs and gutters for stormwater control, cluster
development, tree retention, and retaining permeable topsoil on-site
during and after construction..."
A Fine Balance
Canadian Architect, by Paul Raff
December 22, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "...The articulation of the green
roof and the introduction of slopes in an otherwise flat
landscape enrich the project, but the lack of crucial information
in the plans does not permit adequate evaluation of the proposal.
Raff commends the project's approach to landscape, and its engagement
of a topographical architecture with an extensive green roof..."
New Bill Gives Americans Good Jobs and Clean Drinking Water
Opposing Views, by Jon Devine
December 17, 2009
Washington, DC. "On Wednesday the House of Representatives
passed a jobs bill that will dedicate $2 billion for “ready-to-go”
drinking water and wastewater projects...Green infrastructure also
creates jobs. A $10 billion nationwide initiative to install
green roofs alone would result in almost 200,000 jobs,
according to an analysis by American Rivers and the Alliance for
Water Efficiency..."
Dubai Municipality launches public awareness initiative on Green
Roofs
AME Info, by Staff
December 17, 2009
Dubai, UAE. "...Consistent with the efforts of Dubai Municipality
in achieving its vision of creating an excellent city that provides
the essence of success and comfort of living through the development
of laws and regulations to keep pace with international standards
in the field of sustainable development by planting green
roofs and facades in the Emirate of Dubai..."
Eco-roof helps solve high-rise height problem
Daily Journal of Commerce, by Eli Segall
December 15, 2009
Portland, OR. "The developers of a Portland high-rise last
year sought to build higher than allowed by transferring development
rights from a downtown historic building. A city panel suggested
another approach, sending the builders back to the drawing board...Now
they’re proposing to build an eco-roof in order to
gain extra building height..."
Color Long Island City 'Green'
Queens Courier, by Noah Rosenberg
December 15, 2009
Long Island City, NY. "From the rooftop of Silvercup Studios,
Long Island City fans out in all directions like a gas-guzzling,
oil-burning, construction-booming metropolis...Twenty-five years
later, Silvercup Studios now boasts another superlative; it is home
to a 35,000-square-foot green roof, the biggest in
the boroughs..."
Cleaning Up Newtown Creek
WNYC, by Brian Zumhagen
December 15, 2009
New York, NY. "The Newtown Creek, which forms part of the
border between Brooklyn and Queens, is one of the nation’s most
polluted waterways...more street trees, green rooftops,
and permeable pavement would absorb more storm water, so it doesn’t
all flow into the sewers, carrying toxins with it and forcing overflows
of raw sewage..."
Great Lakes mayors want voices heard
Toledo Blade, by Staff
December 14, 2009
Toledo, OH. "Great Lakes-area mayors don't want to be overlooked
when the United States and Canada start renegotiating the landmark
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 2010...By reducing urban
storm water runoff and sewage overflows, growing green roofs,
and making our beaches clean and safe, cities have done more than
our part..."
Hilary Benn visits UK's largest green roof renewal project on Lambeth
estate
24dash.com, by Jon Land
December 11, 2009
U.K. "...The minister visited the Ethelred Estate in Kennington
to see one of the estate's green roofs, which are
surfaced with sedum plants. The green roof provides
habitat for wildlife, improves air quality and absorbs rain water,
so has a role to play in reducing urban flooding.
The Ethelred Estate is the UK’s largest green roof
renewal project, and covers 10 buildings with more than 4,000m2
of roof space covered in sedum plants..."
Developments are paving the way to future flooding
Canada.com - Letter to Editor, by Andy Wheatley
December 11, 2009
Canada. "...Two green options that would considerably aid
in mitigating storm water runoff problems are green roofs
and rain gardens both of which would go a long way
to reducing storm water runoff by holding rainwater where it falls.
Green roofs for example, should be incorporated into
the city's planning and permitting process..."
French artist unveils vegetal walls in Taipei
eTaiwan News, by Staff
December 11, 2009
Taipei, Taiwan. "A French artist unveiled two living
walls composed of orchids at the National Theater Hall in
Taipei Friday, vertical gardens that the environmentalist
said are aimed at paying homage to both the flower and orchid growers
in Taiwan...Blanc, who created a vertical garden in
the National Concert Hall in 2007, said the two new walls at the
National Theater Hall reflect the diversity of native orchid species
in Taiwan and Southeast Asia and recognize the achievements of Taiwanese
orchid hybridizers in developing unique, high quality orchids..."
Cooling the Asphalt Jungle
Miller-McCune.com, by Enrique Gili
December 11, 2009
World. "As green roofs proliferate to cool
and cheer cityscapes, might they also suck up and store some of
the carbon urban life pumps out?...Like mushrooms after a spring
rain, "green roofs" are proliferating on rooftops
across the United States and throughout Europe, gaining adherents
among sustainable design advocates intent on creating more livable
and greener cities..."
Sedum
Horticulture Week, by Miranda Kimberley
December 11, 2009
World. "Sedum has been used in mixed borders for years. But
these days they are often selected as a vital part of green
roof mats. They are popular for this because the low-growing,
hardy species used can withstand many different weather conditions...Generally,
the varieties used on green roofs are just left to
increase and require little maintenance..."
EPA Guides Federal Facilities to Greener Stormwater Solutions
Environment News Service, by Staff
December 10, 2009
Washington, DC. "A new technical guide to help federal agencies
minimize the impact of federal development projects on nearby water
bodies was issued Wednesday by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency...At its own facilities, EPA is using sustainable techniques
for reducing the effects of stormwater runoff, such as installing
green roofs as well as using rain gardens and cisterns
to capture and reuse stormwater...Click
here to view or download the new guidance document."
New inn's owners going for 'deep green'
Baltimore Sun, by Edward Gunts
December 9, 2009
Baltimore, MD. "...When it opens next year, the $6 million
Inn at the Black Olive won't be the first local hotel and marketplace
with a green roof or bamboo woodwork. But it is shaping
up to be one of the region's most environmentally responsible projects,
because the owners have set out to make it a showplace for the latest
ideas in "deep green" architecture...The developers are using experts
such as Green Tech Contracting and green roof pioneer
Ed Snodgrass..."
Jon Bon Jovi helps open HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes in Newark
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com, by Shawn Simons
December 8, 2009
Newark, NJ. "Mayor Cory Booker and Jon Bon Jovi cut the ribbon
to open HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes in Newark's North Ward. This
51 unit apartment building provides community computer labs, art
gallery, graphics facility and an environmentally-friendly
"green" roof to its residents many of whom will have
some special need..."
DC leads (green) nation in bikes, bags
SmartPlanet.com, by Melanie D.G. Kaplan
December 8, 2009
DC. "...Yesterday I talked to Alan Heymann, acting chief
of staff for the District Department of the Environment...There's
a list of hundreds of action items, like putting green roofs
on government buildings, planting more trees...We’re close to the
top in actual square footage of green roofs..."
Malcolm Wells, an architect ahead of his time, dies
Philadelphia Inquirer, by Inga Saffron
December 8, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "Malcolm Wells, the visionary Cherry Hill
architect who died Nov. 27 at 83, was considered a crackpot in 1964
when he gave up lucrative commissions for the RCA Corp., and began
advocating underground buildings with earth-friendly sod roofs.
But he lived long enough to see...At the time, green roofs,
or any kind of earth on a building, was laughable..."
Also read the
obituary Mr. Wells wrote himself and had posted on his Website.
Building a Better Future: Critical Questions on Green Space
GOOD.is, by Alex Steffen
December 7, 2009
World. "How much greenery surrounds you? Are street trees,
parks, and gardens common in your community? How about natural drainage
systems and green roofs? What sort of landscape can
you see on the horizon—farms and forests or strip malls and suburbs?
How much of the area around your city has been preserved as a greenbelt?
How clean is the water..."
Where The Green Things Are
National Fire Protection Association, by Alan R. Earls
December 7, 2009
Franklin, MA. "If you want to see the future of 'green'
rooftops, you need to travel to Stuttgart, Germany, where
roughly a third of the flat roofs in the city are green, literally,
because they’re covered with specially selected plantings...while
vegetated roofs can be, and regularly are, built in
compliance with existing codes, that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily
safe..."
Steven Holl Architects Opens Exhibition in Newly Finished Vanke
Offices
Art Daily, by Staff
December 7, 2009
Shenzhen, China. "...As a tropical strategy, the building
and the landscape integrate several new sustainable aspects. A microclimate
is created by cooling ponds fed by a grey water system. The building
has a green roof with solar panels and uses local
materials such as bamboo..."
Hybrid cabin
Minneapolis Star Tribune, by Lynn Underwood
December 5, 2009
Minneapolis, MN. "Architect Christian Dean's modern interpretation
of a traditional log cabin features a high-tech green roof,
rusted steel accents and glass walls...The roof is constructed of
an insulated rubber membrane and layers of pre-vegetated sedum mats,
open-mesh and soil..."
Green roofs offer landscapers a great new service opportunity
Landscape Management, by Ron Hall
December 4, 2009
New York, NY. "...The emergence of green roofs in
the United States is relatively new, as evidenced by the large audience
and the number of questions posed during landscape professional
Richard Heller's recent presentation at the Green Industry Expo
here. They recognize that their growing popularity offers landscape
professionals yet another environmentally positive service for clients,
said Heller, a certified landscape professional and CEO of
Greener by Design, Pelham, NY..."
Local landscaper wins right to install green roofs
Kane County Chronicle, by Jonathan Bilyk
December 4, 2009
St. Charles, IL. "A local landscaper has won the right to
green Chicago area rooftops without cutting in roofing contractors
on the deal. Last week, the National Labor Relations Board ruled
in favor of Pedersen Company, a St. Charles-based landscaping company,
in its long-running dispute with the Roofers union over who has
the right to install vegetative green roofs on public
and commercial buildings in the Chicago area..."
A Linear Park in the Sky?
Torontoist.com, by Staff
December 4, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "...Quadrangle Architects, the Toronto-based
architectural firm responsible for the BMW building near Eastern
Avenue and the Candy Factory Lofts in Liberty Village, has proposed
building what they call a 'Green Ribbon' - a seven kilometre
green roof constructed on top of the existing highway.
The Green Ribbon, first unveiled by the company at IdeaCity earlier
this year, was one of many urban planning ideas discussed at
Construct Canada,
a trade expo and conference held at the Metro Toronto Convention
Centre..."
Solar panels, 'green roof' to generate rebate
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, by Chris Togneri
December 4, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "The CCI center today generates about 12
percent of its energy on site, through three rooftop solar panels...Besides
the solar panels, a green roof installed in 2008 lowers
temperatures in summer, keep offices insulated in winter and reuses
rain water and snow melt that otherwise would spill into the city's
sewage system..."
Ex-sausage factory site wins green award
Islington Gazette, by Staff
December 3, 2009
Islington, UK. "A patch of land that was once home to a sausage
factory now boasts an eco-house that collects its own water, creates
its own energy - and barely needs heating. The building - called
The Muse - even has a beehive on its roof...It also uses the sun
to heat its water, and rain to flush the toilets and irrigate its
four roof gardens - a wildflower meadow, a hawthorn
thicket..."
Orlando celebrates 'green' firehouse's opening
Orlando Sentinel, by Mark Schlueb
December 3, 2009
Orlando, FL. "Orlando firefighters and department brass moved
into a gleaming new $21 million fire station Wednesday, a three-story
building equipped with rooftop gardens, downtown views
and a modern fitness center...In addition to insulating the roof,
the gardens' dirt and plants reduce rainwater runoff. Rain from
the gardens, along with runoff from conventional roof sections,
is channeled into cisterns..."
Up on the roof, 'green' garden grows
Tampa Tribune, by Kathy Steele
December 2, 2009
Tampa, FL. "...The drought-tolerant plants are the newest
eco-friendly project at the performing arts center and possibly
the first 'green' designed roof in downtown. These
aren't just potted plants on a rooftop...There also is an anticipation
of less storm water runoff and fewer pollutants reaching Tampa Bay
after filtering through the vegetation..."
Camp's New Treehouse Provides Play and Educational Opportunities
for Kids With Special Needs in Georgia
Earthtimes, Press Release
December 2, 2009
Rutledge, GA. "...see the 1,700-square-foot planted
green roof of the main level. The 'roof garden,'
as the children call it, is intended to replace the forest floor
that the building occupies, providing homes for insects...Decatur
Roofing (Norcross), landscape architect for treehouse
green roof..."
Also see "New
Camp Twin Lakes Treehouse Outfitted with Solar Array, Green
Roof", by Preston Koerner of Jetson Green.
Ending Hunger, Garden by Garden
MSN Health & Fitness, by Joyce Lapinsky
December 1, 2009
Los Angeles, CA. "The Urban Farming Food Chain is the "Edible
Wall" project that we launched in downtown Los Angeles in August
of 2008. And, more than a year in, participants and volunteers at
our four sites have harvested approximately a half-ton of strawberries,
cucumbers, lettuces, collards....with the help of George Irwin,
president of
Green Living™
Technologies,
the company that developed and provided the wall systems..."
Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, LLP - EPA Region8 Headquarters
in Denver, CO
ArchInnovations.com, by Staff
December 1, 2009
Denver, CO. "...the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
Region 8 Headquarters building sits on an urban brownfield that
formerly housed a U.S. Postal Annex...With the help of experts from
the EPA, the design team demonstrated to local authorities the effectiveness
of “ecoroofs” as a means of both removing pollutants
from stormwater and reducing the rate and quantity of stormwater
runoff..."
Building Envelope Council launches review of Toronto green roof
bylaw
Daily Commercial News, by Peter Kenter
December 1, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "As with most complex regulations, the devil
is in the details. That’s why a technical committee of the Ontario
Building Envelope Council (OBEC) is conducting a thorough review
of Toronto By-Law 583-2009, the 'Green Roof By-Law.'
..the organization will decide whether to submit a public statement
after the technical review of the bylaw has been completed."
Patrick Blanc unveils 33 metre high and 5 metre wide vertical garden
in Camperdown apartments
Daily Telegraph, by Malcolm Holland
December 1, 2009
Sydney, Australia. "Patrick Blanc puts the jungle back into
concrete jungles. The idiosyncratic Frenchman has covered the sides
of buildings in cities around the world with lush gardens since
creating his first "green wall" at the Museum of Science
and Industry in Paris in 1988...His latest creation, a "vertical
garden" 33m high and 5m wide, was unveiled at a new apartment
complex in Camperdown in Sydney's inner- west..."
Students research green roof possibilities for W&M campus
William and Mary News, by Phil Zapfel
November 30, 2009
Williamsburg, VA. "Already lush with vegetation, William
& Mary's skyline may soon get a little greener. Last month, more
than 20 students from various organizations - including the College's
Committee on Sustainability, the Sharpe Community Scholars Program,
the EcoHouse, and the Student Environmental Action Coalition - completed
the College's first green roof test plots..."
Is There A Green Roof in Your Future?
MidWestAGnet, by Dr. Mari Loehrlein
November 30, 2009
Macomb, IL. "...While the idea began with a desire to reduce
storm water runoff, the practice is now known to extend the life
of rubber roofing membranes by 25 years or more, plus it adds to
the insulating value of the roof...The
Peggy Notabaert Center in Chicago has prairie plants, a small
wetland, and in one area, an oak tree...With all the special requirements,
most residential buildings won't have green roofs
installed any time soon, but perhaps new construction will be planned
to accommodate more of them in the near future..."
ESRI Canada's Green Roof Wins 2009 Design Exchange Award
DirectionsMag.com, Press release
November 30, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "ESRI Canada, which provides enterprise
geographic information system (GIS) solutions, today announced its
green roof has received an honourable mention at Canada’s
prestigious 2009 Design Exchange Awards. A jury of leading business
executives, designers and community leaders selected the roof
garden as one of the winners in the landscape architecture
category..."
Queensland's high rises to grow their own cooling system
MySunshineCoast.com.au, Press Release
November 30, 2009
Australia. "Queensland could soon be trialing vertical
gardens and grass or garden roofs in an effort
to make our cities greener and cooler. The Queensland Government
has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with the Singapore National
Parks Board that could soon see local scientists growing vegetation
on high rise buildings to reduce heat and improve air quality...We
want to benefit from Singapore's experience with skyrise
greenery such as green roofs and green walls..."
Eco Architecture: Sadar Vuya Architects to develop green-roofed
sports park in Slovenia
Ecofriend, by Staff
November 30, 2009
Slovenia. "...Sadar Vuya Architects have commenced construction
on a unique sports park in Slovenia that will integrate a football
stadium, multipurpose sports hall and a shopping center under one
expansive green roof. The football stadium will be
underground with only the roof ascending above the plane.
The Vancouver Convention Centre, a Global Green Icon
Reuters, by Chris de Morsella
November 30, 2009
Vancouver, Canada. "...The Largest Non-Industrial
Green Roof in North America - The center's green
roof was designed to imitate a gulf island beachfront and
to provide a nesting ground for local birds...As is typically the
case with green roofs the convention center's
green roof also helps with stormwater management, and
the living exterior skin helps mitigate the heat-island effect that
often is an un desired side effect of traditional roofing designs..."
A LEED Gold Green Building Laboratory
Jetson Green, by Philip Proefrock
November 29, 2009
Ann Arbor, MI. "...architectural firm A3C has turned its
building into a showcase for a number of green building components,
and managed to produce a LEED-CI Gold renovation of the existing
two-story building while they were at it...Rather than weighing
the options and then choosing and applying a single green
roof system, there are several different configurations
installed next to one..."
Tech company SAP is living the green life
Philadelphia Inquirer, by Diane Mastrull
November 29, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "Erecting an office that is one of the
greenest in the region was intended to demonstrate SAP's commitment
to walk the talk...From the garden on the roof to the air-cooling
ice tanks in the basement, 'we really wanted to be an exemplar'
of sustainability...A rooftop garden of more than
an acre sprouts blue fescue, lavender, and goldfinger, along with
a variety of sedum. Not only is the plant life visually stunning
and an ideal setting for corporate entertaining, it is expected
to extend the life of the rubber roof under it by 30 years..."
Sewer Overflows are Expensive and Unsafe
Huffington Post blog, by
Amy Norquist
November 27, 2009
New York, NY. "The New York Times this week revealed the
frightening state of our nation's urban sewer systems and the real
consequences to human health...So what can better solve the problem
with our sewers? The most obvious -- and most affordable--solution
is bringing vegetation back into the cities that paved over green
space to get there. Green roofs can dramatically reduce
runoff and sewage overflows. Green roofs--roofs covered
with living plants..."
Cash Crop Hits the Roof for Harford County Farm
Southern Maryland Online, by Lindsay Gsell
November 27, 2009
Street, MD. "These plants have been the sole focus and cash
crop of the farm since 1998. Nearly a million of them are grown
each year for green roofs around the country, says
Shepley, a former electrical engineer who is now co-owner of the
business...The growth of the farm's business -- which has seen as
much as a 70 percent rise in sales in the last five years, according
to co-owner Ed Snodgrass -- reflects a growing national interest
in green roofs...Emory
Knoll Farms chiefly sells about 30 types of plants, and another
60 to 80 types are sold in small quantities..."
Rising sea levels: A tale of two cities
BBC News, by Michael Hirst
November 27, 2009
Rotterdam, The Netherlands. "When people talk about the impact
of rising sea levels, they often think of small island states that
risk being submerged if global warming continues unchecked...Rotterdam
is promoting the use of green roofs to collect rain
water...City authorities are subsidising the development of
green roofs, which are already in place on buildings
like the municipal library..."
Vancouver industrial hub transformed into sustainable neighbourhood
Daily Commercial News, by Jean Sorensen
November 27, 2009
Vancouver, Canada. "...roads are sloped so that rainwater
drains into natural bioswales on each side of the village, negating
the need to treat runoff water, while providing habitat for birds,
animals, and marine life...Approximately 50 per cent of the buildings
have green roofs and 50 per cent direct the water
into irrigation and functions such as toilet flushing..."
More urban green spaces to fight climate change, government advisory
body urges
Greenwise Business, by Elaine Brass
November 26, 2009
U.K. "Government advisory body the Commission for Architecture
and the Built Environment (CABE) has launched a new campaign to
increase the amount of money spent on green infrastructure...CABE
believes parks and gardens, waterways, allotments, tree-lined streets
and green roofs provide a network of green resources
and a green infrastructure that could potentially be a powerful
tool to help towns and cities to adapt to climate change..."
Ottawa School Plans Innovative Green Roof
The Epoch Times, by Cindy Chan
November 26, 2009
Ottawa, Canada. "When the students of Ottawa’s Ashbury College
suggested building a green roof a few years ago, it
sowed the seed for a first-of-its-kind eco-project among Canadian
independent schools that promises much more than conventional environmental
goals...While other schools have built green roofs
to help reduce energy use and contribute to cleaner air, Ashbury's
roof will be more functional..."
Green from the roof on down
Metro Canada Halifax, by Sylvia Putz
November 26, 2009
Halifax, Canada. "We are currently in the process of getting
a green roof on our backyard shed, and the question
I’ve been asked most often is why?.. But with increasing interest
in the residential sector, and an upcoming new Toronto bylaw mandating
green roofs (January 2010) on many commercial, industrial
and institutional buildings, interest and knowledge will continue
growing..."
Swimming With the Sewage: The Disturbing Reality of the City's Sewage
System
HuffingtonPost.com, by John Petro
November 25, 2009
New York, NY. "...the New York Times brought us some nasty
details about the city's sewer system...But there are other ways
a city can reduce its stormwater runoff besides large, expensive
capital improvements. By promoting the construction of green
roofs, a city can significantly reduce the amount of storm
water that runs into the city's sewers during heavy rains..."
Green Walls are Growing Inside and Outside in London
Treehugger, by Bonnie Alter
November 24, 2009
London, UK. "TreeHugger loves green walls--they
are beautiful, environmental and good for nature and the world.
Suddenly they are popping out all over in London. The American store
Anthropologie just opened and they have installed a 3 storey high,
1500 sq. ft. living wall made of 14000 plants and
15 varieties...Plants are grown vertically in our patented modular,
hydroponic-fed system..."
Off the Grid Urban Block for Dallas
Jetson Green, by Preston Koerner
November 24, 2009
Dallas, TX. "...the Forwarding Dallas entry has now been
announced as the winning design. The off-the-grid block, designed
in collaboration between Atelier Data and Moov, is scheduled to
break ground in 2011...Forwarding Dallas gets its inspiration from
hills to create an undulated fabric of buildings with green
roofs covered in native vegetation..."
Environmental innovators to pitch to 'Green Dragons' Den' in Dublin
Siliconrepublic.com, by Staff
November 24, 2009
Dublin, Ireland. "From positive beermats to green roofs
on city buildings, Europe’s brightest green innovators are set to
converge in Dublin this weekend to pitch their business ideas to
a panel of enterprise and environment experts...The panel will provide
expert feedback on a number of new and innovative green enterprise
projects...‘Urban Bloom’ – a project to make urban communities more
sustainable by installing green roofs on city buildings..."
Darien builder and architect team up on new certified energy-efficient
home
Stamford Plus Magazine, by Staff
November 23, 2009
Darien, CT. "Darien-based Nassau Interests has always set
new standards when it comes to the building business. Now the forward-thinking
real estate development firm is doing it again by being one of the
first builders in Darien to design and build a new home registered
with the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Homes
program...green roofs are said to have a longer lifespan
than standard roofs because they are protected from ultraviolet
radiation and the extreme fluctuations in temperature that cause
roof membranes to deteriorate..."
NL Architects Unveils Ascending Green-Roofed Staircase Office
Inhabitat.com, by Bridgette Meinhold
November 23, 2009
Netherlands. "NL Architects recently unveiled a beautiful
green-roofed office complex for the Welfare Department
and Work Agency of the City of Groningen in the Netherlands. Featuring
ample amounts of daylight, large open public spaces, and an ascending
series of terraced green roofs, the new SoZaWe office
is sure to welcome the citizens who come in for assistance while
inspiring for the employees who work there..."
New Boulder film documents the infusion of nature into urban spots
Daily Camera, by Laura Snider
November 21, 2009
Boulder, CO. "...Boulder filmmaker and doctor Chuck Davis
has recently finished a new documentary, "The Nature of Cities,"
that explores urban landscapes like these that have been infused
with life...the movie shows some Swedish living roofs
-- mats of drought-tolerant vegetation that flowers and changes
appearance with the seasons..."
Santiago, Chile installs green walls in subway stations
Daily Commercial News, by Saul Chernos
November 19, 2009
Santiago, Chile. "Rush-hour commuters in Chile are breathing
easy thanks to new green walls being installed in
subway stations in the capital city of Santiago...Living walls
can help improve indoor air quality, fight noise pollution, and
make for a pleasant commute for residents and visitors alike..."
Business of Green The Rooftop Garden Climbs Down a Wall
New York Times, by Ken Nelson
November 18, 2009
New York, NY. "...In fact, they are the latest development
in green roof technology. Like green roofs,
edible walls include a thick layer of vegetation on the outside
of buildings to provide insulation and reduce heating and electricity
costs...The leader in this niche area is
Green Living™
Technologies,
another company in Rochester that has built edible walls here, in
New York City, Los Angeles, Detroit and elsewhere...Mr. Irwin, who
has an online column as the
Green Wall editor..."
Bush Library building design plays off its environs at SMU
Dallas Morning News, by David Dillon
November 18, 2009
Dallas, TX. "With today's unveiling at Southern Methodist
University, the George W. Bush Presidential Center moves from state
secret to three-dimensional reality...He describes it as a more
abstract, 21st-century composition, with energy-saving features
such as green roofs, photovoltaic panels and a full
palette of recycled materials..."
Amended Toronto green-building standard retains bird-friendly measures
Daily Commercial News, by Saul Chernos
November 17, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "Bird enthusiasts are flapping their wings
with delight following a unanimous council vote in October to amend
the City of Toronto’s sustainable development standard...The amendments
bring the standard into sync with new harmonized zoning and
green roof bylaws council approved late last year...When
green roofs are built adjacent to glass surfaces,
the glass must be treated to at least 12 metres above roof-level..."
Federal judge approves letting Onondaga County use green technology
to reduce Onondaga Lake pollution
The Post-Standard, by Tim Knauss
November 16, 2009
Syracuse, NY. "Onondaga County got the final go-ahead Monday
to scrap plans for three new sewage plants — including one in Armory
Square — and instead reduce sewer overflows with trees, vegetated
roofs, rain gardens, permeable pavement and rain barrels..."
Going Green and Fighting Toxins at Home and at Work
EHS Today, by Staff
November 16, 2009
Baltimore, MD. "A nurse with environmental health experience
spoke to EHS Today about minimizing contact with everyday toxins
and taking steps to create greener workplaces...employers could
take a few hints from LifeBridge Health and implement green building
designs and initiatives. In recent months, for example, the facility
completed construction of a new atrium and green roof.
The atrium lets in natural sunlight to reduce the facility’s energy
consumption, and the green roof helps clean rainwater
before it enters local waterways..."
Commercial innovations lead way for green homes
San Francisco Chronicle, by Valerie Farley
November 15, 2009
San Francisco, CA. "...Society's earliest mud huts had the
first "green roofs," but it takes advancements such
as the roof-top meadow on the
California Academy of Sciences building to clearly demonstrate
their utility and inspire broader adoption. Among the earliest and
best-known commercial-scale green roofs in the United States is
the
Gap's headquarters in San Bruno, whose 62,000-square-foot expanse
was planted in 1997 and is still reducing the structure's carbon
footprint today..."
New Study: Green Building to Support Nearly 8 Million U.S. Jobs
Over Next 4 Years
USGBC.org, Press Release
November 14, 2009
Phoenix, AZ. "Despite a challenging economic outlook,
green building will support 7.9 million U.S. jobs and
pump $554 billion into the American economy – including $396 billion
in wages – over the next four years (2009-2013), according to a
new study from the U.S. Green Building Council and Booz Allen Hamilton.
The study also determined that green construction spending currently
supports more than 2 million American jobs and generates more than
$100 billion in gross domestic product and wages..."
Plants can divide rooms, conquer poor air quality
Calgary Herald, by Gerald Filipski
November 13, 2009
Calgary, Canada. "Green or living walls are
one of the hottest trends in indoor gardening. What is a living
wall? Quite simply, it's a wall or freestanding structure that makes
use of living plants as part of its makeup. It is another example
of what was old is new again...There is a place in today's homes
for these living walls. Plants do actually clean the air we breathe.
This natural air purification is enough reason to grow the plants,
but the versatility of living walls is another reason..."
Bill and Melinda Gates grant $350 million toward foundation campus
Seattle Times, by Kristi Heim
November 13, 2009
Seattle, WA. "It's a massive project taking shape during
a steep decline in real estate development and commercial property
values. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's new 900,000-square-foot
headquarters, comprised initially of two six-story, boomerang-shaped
buildings on 12 acres near the Seattle Center, is scheduled to be
finished in April 2011 at an estimated cost of $500 million...Green
building features include a living roof on the parking
garage and a million-gallon rainwater storage tank to reduce water
use..."
Exam puts green roof suppliers to the test
Daily Commercial News, by Saul Chernos
November 13, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "Building professionals put their
green roof skills to the test recently during a new exam
run as part of the recent
Cities Alive! conference
in Toronto...The exam covers a wide range of material, such as installing
waterproofing systems, caring for plants, understanding design options
and assorted challenges and best practices...We have already seen
some professionals in California using the
GRP designation as a pre-qualification to bid on projects..."
Making the case at Copenhagen
Building Design, by Elizabeth Hopkirk
November 13, 2009
London, UK. "The RIBA and the UK Green Building Council are
both sending representatives to next month’s UN Climate Change Conference
— known as
COP15 — to argue that the building industry has the greatest
potential for cutting greenhouse gases at the least cost using existing
technology... switching public spending from 'grey' projects like
road building and heavy engineering to 'green' schemes like parks
and green roofs could help address climate change."
Creating Vancouver Convention Centre's green roof no simple task
Daily Commercial News, by Saul Chernos
November 13, 2009
Vancouver, Canada. "Working atop a structure built on piles
and at sometimes extreme angles made life interesting for the crews
working on the
Vancouver Convention Centre’s new green roof.
The biggest living roof in Canada is surrounded by water on three
sides, and the marine deck on which the building sits is supported
by stilt-like piles. It also features slopes of up to 53 per cent..."
The Living Wall: 31 of 50 Best Inventions of 2009
TIME, by JeffreyKluger
November 12, 2009
World. "Patrick Blanc specializes in vertical gardens:
verdant patches that climb the walls of office buildings, shopping
malls, museums and public spaces around the globe...Recognizing
that not all plants need soil to grow, Blanc affixes synthetic felt
to a frame onto which roots can cling. Part gardener, part botanist,
Blanc uses automated irrigation and fertilization systems to keep
his specimens healthy and arranges them so that each enjoys optimal
growth conditions..."
Local wildlife get the first completed homes on the Olympic Park
London2012.com, by Staff
November 12, 2009
London, UK. "The first new homes for wildlife have been installed
on the Olympic Park, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has today
announced...The ODA published its ‘Biodiversity Action Plan’ earlier
this year which sets out the creation of 45 hectares of wildlife
habitats for otters, amphibians, invertebrates and other rare wildlife...will
include: 4,000 m2 of 'living roof' space for birds
and rare insects..."
The Green Building Sector Is Ripe for Water-Saving Innovation
Earth2Tech, by Justin Moresco
November 12, 2009
San Francisco, CA. "Water scarcity is becoming a hot-button
issue in the U.S. (and globally), with water managers in 36 states
saying they expect freshwater shortages hitting their states by
early in the next decade...Other water-saving landscape features
emerging (besides the low-tech solution of selecting drought-resistant
plants) include bioswales and vegetated roofs..."
Triangular Tech Center Incorporates Solar Panels and a Green Roof
Inhabitat.com, by Sarah Parsons
November 12, 2009
Bilbao, Spain. "Imagine a building designed with the latest
green technologies that also showcases innovative technologies of
the future. Kind of blows your mind, right? Well that’s exactly
what Spain’s green roofed and solar powered
BTEK Technology Interpretation Center accomplishes...grass lines
the roof and solar panels are integrated into the building’s triangular
shape..."
Greenbuild Expo showcases innovative products
Arizona Republic, by J. Craig Anderson
November 12, 2009
Phoenix, AZ. "Thousands of entrepreneurs, sales executives
and marketers in the fast-growing 'green' construction industry
converged in Phoenix on Wednesday for opening day of the
Greenbuild International
Conference & Expo...the conference offered classes and seminars
on topics as far-ranging as the politics of green building, how
to design green apartment buildings, and using public-private partnerships
to promote green building in the inner city..."
McHugh Plans Major Chicago Data Center
Data Center Knowledge, by Rich Miller
November 11, 2009
Chicago, IL. "McHugh Construction Co. has announced plans
to build a major data center in downtown Chicago, just blocks from
the city’s major Internet connectivity hub...The plans calls for
a rooftop solar power installation, with about 8,300 square feet
of photovoltaic panels...The drawings also feature a 'green
roof' with vegetation covering about 10000 square feet..."
Bill Clinton's proud of his 5-year-old
Arkansas Times, by Max Brantley
November 11, 2009
Little Rock, AR. "Former President Bill Clinton got on the
phone in New York early Tuesday morning to talk to Times editor
Max Brantley about the fifth anniversary of the opening of the
Clinton Presidential Center...Tell me about the roof garden.
It's great. First of all, it absorbs lots of light and heat and
water, which reduces runoff. It has more than 10,000 native plants
from the state on it, counting all the different grasses. It's really
quite beautiful..."
How to help Philadelphia manage stormwater on your property
Examiner.com, by Carole Brown
November 11, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "What happens when 14 billion gallons of
stormwater per year meet a hundred-year old system of pipes that
is merged with the sewage system and is over 1600 miles long? As
you can probably imagine, the result is really not pretty. But you
can help alleviate this problem by managing this water on your property...Green
roofs require a little more technical expertise, but provide
welcome habitat for wildlife, and keep our houses warmer in winter
and cooler in summer, reducing the cost of home heating and cooling..."
Lilly Surpasses Energy Efficiency Goals and Celebrates Worldwide
Energy Day
Ethio Planet News, by Staff
November 11, 2009
Indianapolis, IN. "More than 25 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:
LLY) facilities around the world today will celebrate 'Energy Day,'
which is a new corporate sustainability effort designed to educate
Lilly employees about the company’s latest energy reduction goals
and to encourage sustainable behaviors...Employees working at Lilly's
corporate headquarters in Indianapolis will have an opportunity
to tour one of the two 'green roofs' that were recently
installed as pilot sustainability projects to improve the energy
efficiency of the building and to reduce storm water run-off..."
City's grant to be used toward solar technology
Marquette Tribune, by Rebecca Prybell
November 10, 2009
Milwaukee. WI. "All across campus and the city of Milwaukee,
changes are being implemented to improve the environmental sustainability
of buildings through the use of solar power and
rooftop gardens that generate energy and improve air
quality...A green roof is scheduled to be finished
by the end of the year, and plants will make it truly “green” by
next spring. The green roof will cover approximately
30,000 square feet of traditional roofing with a vegetative system.
Funding for the roof came from various energy efficiency improvement
grants and the Milwaukee city budget..."
Japanese Company Unveils System to Grow Trees and Bushes on Walls
Japan for Sustainability, by Staff
November 10, 2009
Japan. "Takenaka Corp., a leading Japanese construction company,
unveiled on July 31, 2009, its new panel system that allows the
use of a much wider variety of plants, even bushes and trees, than
the usual vines used to cover the walls of buildings for greening
purposes..."
Green, white roofs come to campus
McGill Daily, by Henry Gass
November 9, 2009
Montreal, Canada. "The fight for Montreal’s environmental
future has recently reached new heights, as various environmental
groups in the city promote the installation of energy-efficient
green and white roofs. Green rooftops,
or rooftop gardens, are becoming more and more popular
in Montreal, while white rooftops, flat surfaces with a white polymeric
membrane stretched across, are just starting to be introduced..."
Geothermal energy powers Canadian varsity
Hindu Business Line, by M. Somasekhar
November 9, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "A university campus cooled and heated by
geothermal energy. Sounds unusual, doesn’t it? But University of
Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Canada’s youngest varsity,
has achieved this distinction...UOIT’s geothermal energy system
is at the heart of the university’s research into renewable energy.
It has launched a slew of energy efficient initiatives ranging from
green roofs to solar reflective windows..."
SF: Cal Academy wins award for Excellence from Urban Land Institute
CBS5.com, Press Release
November 6, 2009
San Francisco, CA. "San Francisco's California Academy of
Sciences facility has been recognized by the urban land use industry
as a worldwide model of excellence in design and development. The
new $488 million, 412,000-square-foot building in Golden Gate Park
opened in September 2008 and includes an aquarium, planetarium,
natural history museum and four-story rainforest. The sustainable
design features solar panels, a water reclamation system and a 2.5-acre
"living roof" with growing plants..."
Energy Retrofit Market to Surge, and Bring Green Roofing Along for
the ride: Report
Earth2Tech, by Justin Moresco
November 5, 2009
San Francisco, CA. "The White House wants to see the home
energy retrofit market surge, and a new report announced today predicts
a growing appetite for energy-efficient heaters, air conditioners
and roofing materials, part of a larger trend in the growth of green
home renovations...The U.S. market for energy-efficient roofing
retrofits will reach $2.5 billion by 2013 from $1.4 billion last
year (SBI deems roofing materials efficient if they meet Energy
Star criteria, which is based on the amount of solar radiation a
roof can reflect away from a home)...Green, or living, roofs,
where plants cover part of or the entire roof (pictured above),
are another option..."
Going with the flow
UVic The Ring, by Peigi McGillivray
November 5, 2009
Saanich, Canada. "If climate change means more extreme rainfall,
as scientists predict, how should we prepare to cope with all the
extra water?...Low-impact development strategies include permeable
paving materials, green roofs and rain gardens...
Green roofs are designed to support soil and plants. Some
are able to reduce peak runoff by up to 75 per cent. When you look
at an aerial view of any city..."
New Landscape Rating System to Transform the Industry, Complete
Green Building Puzzle
Reuters, by Staff
November 5, 2009
DC. "Today, the Sustainable Sites Initiative released the
nation`s first rating system for the design, construction and maintenance
of sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings...The rating
system works on a 250-point scale, with levels of achievement for
obtaining 40, 50, 60 or 80 percent of available points, recognized
with one through four stars, respectively..."
Rooftop veg plots taking root in Japanese cities
News & Observer, by Arata Abe
November 5, 2009
Tokyo, Japan. "...An increasing number of young Japanese
workers are now finding fulfillment in growing vegetables in urban
plots during their break times or on their way home...Rooftop
gardens were not rare in Tokyo, but until recently most
gardens were used by restaurants to grow vegetables used in their
dishes..."
Interview with Sadhu Johnston, Chief Environment Officer, City of
Chicago
ASLA.org, by Staff
November 4, 2009
Chicago, IL. "...In certain areas, we've already exceeded
our goals. Green roofs are a great example. We already
have over seven million square feet of green roofs
underway in the city of Chicago. That's way ahead of where we thought
we would be at this point...Now, every new development is required
to calculate stormwater runoff and figure out how they can keep
at least a half-inch of that first rain onsite for utilization and
bioswales, green roofs, or other green infrastructure,
like permeable pavements. Green roofs can play a significant
role in stormwater plans for each site..."
Urban builders offered eco-support
Inside Housing, by Tom Lloyd
November 4, 2009
England, UK. "...Poul Christensen, acting chair of Natural
England, said: ‘Green infrastructure - which includes green spaces,
street trees, green roofs and urban parks - has often
been seen as only decorative. The reality is that it transforms
city life. Investment in greening England’s cities would bring a
huge range of environmental, health and economic benefits..."
Olympics spur BC water recycling strategy
Globe and Mail, by Denise Deveau
November 3, 2009
Vancouver, Canada. "...At the City of Richmond's Olympic
speed skating oval facility for example, runoff rainwater from its
massive 6.5-acre roof is captured and put through a biofiltration
process to remove the sediment...The new
Vancouver Convention Centre is the first building in Canada
to combine ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis systems to desalinate
ocean water and treat wastewater for flushing toilets and irrigating
its green roof garden..."
'Green' projects create new exposures
Business Insurance, by Roberto Ceniceros
November 3, 2009
US. "Construction contract disputes loom as demand grows
for buildings that meet environmental efficiency standards, insurance
and legal experts say...The potential exists, they say, for disputes
between building owners and contractors or architects and engineers,
should a new building fail to meet certification standards...Insurers
have amended general liability and environmental policies to address
green building risks, such as defects related to rooftop gardens
that could cause water damage..."
Waiting period is over
The Gazette (Montreal), by Michelle Lalonde
November 2, 2009
Montreal, Canada. "The election is done, but the need to
have our voices heard is as important as ever. Here's a list of
things Montrealers should demand of our newly elected officials...Change
the building code to require new buildings be green. Cities can
dictate anything from the number of parking spaces offered in new
buildings and insulation quality to on-site storm water management
or use of renewable energy. Toronto requires green roofs
on new buildings. Why can't Montreal?..."
Willis Tower looks to go green, from the rooftops on down
Chicago Tribune, by Julie Wernau
November 1, 2009
Chicago, IL. "Rooftop gardens part of plan
to improve efficiency...An experimental green roof
(greenery planted on a roof to lower energy costs and offset water
runoff) on the 90th floor required metal meshing to prevent sod
and plants from blowing away...In design plans, the "green
roof" project would be expanded to the building's multiple
roofs, along with wind turbines and solar panels..."
Green city surfaces are the next frontier in sustainable gardening
Times Colonist, by Susan Ramsey
October 31, 2009
Victoria, Canada. "Victoria's Dockside Green has two
living walls -- one is planted with native and evergreen
species, above, and one with annuals including green onions and
strawberries, below...Living walls, also known as
green walls are the next step in urban gardening.
People choosing downtown condo living or even smaller single family
building lots still want to garden -- thankfully -- but find it
necessary to make different choices..."
All of us comprise walls of church
Brantford Expositor, by Rick Gamble
October 31, 2009
Brandford, Canada. "A lan Darlington's new environmental
design is turning competitors green, and not just with envy. A plant
biologist who began working on his radical idea at the University
of Guelph, Darlington now runs a company specializing in living
walls -- walls comprised entirely of plants that play a
key role in improving the indoor environment. Though walls made
up entirely of greenery have been around for years, Darlington's
are different..."
More than $1 Million for Projects to Improve the Health of Long
Sound
CT Environmental Headlines, by Christopher Zurcher
October 30, 2009
New Haven CT. "Gathering together on the shores of Long Island
Sound, top federal and state environmental officials announced 33
grants to state and local government and community groups under
the Long Island Sound Futures Fund...GreenApple Corps will construct
a greenroof to capture 250000 gallons of polluted
stormwater annually in New York..."
Calgary is slowly catching on with environmental rooftops
FFWD, by Jeff Bolingbroke
October 29, 2009
Calgary, Canada. "...Modern green roofs continue
the energy efficiency trend: Environment Canada researchers have
demonstrated a 10 per cent decrease in winter heat-loss and a 25
per cent decrease in air conditioning...Kerry Ross, an accredited
green roof professional and co-founder of local advocacy group Alberta
Ecoroof Initiative (AEI), says the roofs are not only esthetically
pleasing, but they also serve as a place for people to have lunch
and enjoy an outdoor green space with a great view..."
Portland adopts climate plan
Portland Business Journal, by Staff
October 28, 2009
Portland, OR. "Portland’s city commission has adopted requirements
that would drastically reduce climate emissions by 2030. The Climate
Action Plan calls for a 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions
by 2030 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050. The city and county
had last year pledged to create a joint reduction plan that far
exceeds national standards...City bureaus must immediately begin
implementing 15 of the new climate-related initiatives, such as
establishing a tax credit for businesses that install ecoroofs
and solar panels together..."
Green Offshoots
New York Times, by Liz Galst
October 28, 2009
New York, NY. "...Mr. Casasnovas, an employee of SmartRoofs
L.L.C., was doing routine maintenance on the vegetative roof,
which his company installed in June 2003. The company, based in
the Bronx, is one of the few green roofers in the
New York metropolitan area. But what makes SmartRoofs even more
unusual is that it is part of a tiny but growing trend among small
businesses: for-profit ventures spun off by nonprofit groups that
teach the job skills necessary to join the nascent green economy..."
Mexico Fights Global Warming with Roof Gardens
NTDTV, by Staff
October 28, 2009
Mexico City, Mexico. "Rooftop gardens are appearing
on many public buildings. And it isn’t a hippie movement, but a
program launched last year to combat global warming. Mexico City,
one of the world's most polluted capitols, is a smog-choked metropolis.
It plans to replace rooftop gas tanks, clothes lines and asphalt
with grass and bushes to absorb carbon dioxide...The city's mayor
has pledged US$5.5 billion over five years to reduce greenhouse
gases...The manager of "Green 360," a company that builds and maintains
living walls, says these walls help combat pollution..."
Peduto pushes green legislation
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, by Rich Lord
October 28, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "...Once we create standards for green roofs,
we can then begin to incentivize green roofs," he said...His green
roof ordinance would tell builders to consult with a structural
engineer before putting deep and heavy layers of soil on building
tops. Establishing standards for the increasingly trendy green roofs
sets the stage for incentives for new buildings and homes with plants
on top..."
See also,
Councilman to announce 'green code' for Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review, by Adam Brandolph
All Aluminum House Has Green Roof, Solar Power
Treehugger, by Lloyd Alter
October 28, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "While it takes a lot of energy to make
aluminum, most of it is recycled and it does not take a lot of energy
to do that. So building a house...Atelier Tekuto has built an elegant
single family house in Kanazawa City, Japan almost entirely out
of aluminum. Notwithstanding our bias against jazzy expensive single
family houses, this one has some interesting features. Starting
at the top: a green roof and solar collectors..."
Wisconsin native grows green in Brooklyn
OnMilwaukee.com, by Maureen Post
October 27, 2009
Brooklyn, N.Y. "In a neighborhood where old trumps new and
small-scale has by and large squashed mass-produced, it was only
a matter of time before rural farming dug its way into urban agriculture...Our
concept took time but is really quite simple. We transformed a regular
tarred rooftop into a 'green roof' with rain catch
and then literally dumped soil..."
Singapore showcases its first Zero Energy Building
Cnet Asia, by Juniper Foo
October 27, 2009
Singapore. "Going by the axiom that action speaks louder
than words, the Singapore authorities have on Monday unveiled the
country's first Zero Energy Building as a project to test the waters.
The Government has tasked itself with developing green technologies
to meet the goal of making 80 percent of all buildings in the island
state green by 2030...Greenery system: Roof garden and wall
plants help cut heat transmission into the building. Shading devices:
These work hand-in-hand with the greenery system..."
Botanist's green walls take plants to new level
San Francisco Chronicle, by John King
October 27, 2009
San Francisco, CA. "...Blanc, 56, is the latest in a long
procession of foreign designers brought here to nudge our well-established
landscape. He calls himself "a botanist who thought of a new way
to grow plants" - vertically and at architectural scale...The Drew
School expansion will be Blanc's fifth and largest American creation,
covering the streetside wall of a 14,500-square-foot
assembly hall for the small high school campus at California and
Broderick streets..."
United States Breaks Ground on New Consulate Compound in Guangzhou,
China
US Department of State, by Staff
October 25, 2009
Guangzhou, China. "The NCC will be configured so that its
seven state-of-the-art buildings are separated from each other but
tied together by gardens and courtyards demonstrating the Department’s
commitment to green design and sustainability. Several of the buildings
on the site will feature 'green' roofs that will mitigate
thermal loads by providing insulation and also will minimize storm
water run-off..."
Ottawa's Algonquin College breaks ground on Centre for Construction
Excellence
Daily Commercial News, by Korky Koroluk
October 24, 2009
Ottawa, Canada. "Ground has been broken for the construction
of a building that will not only house construction trades training,
but also an applied learning centre for sustainable building...Much
of the roof will be an undulating green garden that
will, Leckman said, add campus greenspace and help with insulation
(while) lowering the demands on the heating and cooling systems...”
Roofers, landscapers in a turf war over Chicago's rooftop gardens
Chicago Tribune, by Ameet Sachdev & Julie Wernau
October 23, 2009
Chicago, IL. "Rooftop gardens, like the one
atop Chicago's City Hall, have roofers green with envy. They want
more of the work that is being done by commercial landscapers in
the booming market to install green roofs on public
and commercial buildings in the Chicago area...In a case involving
a South Loop development, the unions took their dispute to the National
Labor Relations Board..."
The Green Dream Gets Ready for a Green Roof
Popular Science, by John B. Carnett
October 22, 2009
US. "Laying down the foundation for my rooftop garden.
Why bother with an unsightly and inefficient flat tar roof when
you can look out the window at a teeming green garden?...I hired
a commercial roofing company to take my flat roof system and get
it built up to accept my green roof trays..."
The hanging gardens of the Meadowlands
The Leader Newspapers, by Susan C. Moeller
October 22, 2009
Lyndhurst, NJ. "An idea that got its start in Babylon is
taking shape in Lyndhurst. Rob Shucker, president of Eco Earth Design,
is working to bring the modern equivalent of rooftop hanging gardens
to the region’s skylines...But, today’s building owners install
green roofs for less romantic reasons. The growing
canopy protects roofing from its worst enemy--exposure to the sun,
and that sunscreen effect can double the life of an average roof..."
BronxPro celebrates eco-friendly apartments
YourNabe.com, by Daniel Beekman
October 22, 2009
Bronx, NY. "Too often, the Bronx has dealt with developers
in pursuit of profit and only profit. Too often, the Bronx has witnessed
other boroughs add sumptuous condos. But 1085 Washington Avenue
Apartments represents change, an affordable Bronx building that
radiates quality from its green roof to its day-lit
basement..."
Who's working lots, and green on top?
Vancouver Sun, by Brian Morton
October 21, 2009
Vancouver, Canada. "Going 'green' has helped company expand
from home business to handling projects around globe...Streamline
Design (which designs about 65 homes annually) is his home-design
company, while Streamline Enterprises -- the Canadian distributors
for
Green Living™
Technologies and
its Living Wall (a vertical garden with plants grown on walls) and
Green Roof systems -- is a newer company started in
2007 focused on green-building needs and sustainable architecture
and construction..."
Atlanta Botanical Garden Completes $55 Million Green Expansion
Hospitality Design Magazine, by Staff
October 21, 2009
Atlanta, GA. "Architectural firm Jova/Daniels/Busby has completed
work on the $55 million green expansion of the Atlanta Botanical
Garden...The center's green roof provides a natural
green barrier to reduce heat gain and energy usage. Covering nearly
35 percent of the roof area, the green roof utilizes plant coverings,
offering a new wildlife area and an additional garden for visitors..."
DC lands $38.9M in stimulus funds for water work
Washington Business Journal, by Vandana Sinha
October 20, 2009
DC. "The District government and its water utility will receive
a combined $38.9 million in stimulus funding...nearly $4 million
would go toward building more than 100,000 square feet of
green roofs on city buildings, including libraries, firehouses
and a demonstration project atop the parking garage deck at University
of the District of Columbia. The stimulus funds would also expand
the city’s green roof rebate program to allow residents
and small businesses to afford another 20,000 square feet of private
green roof space..."
Why meadows on roofs?
Toronto Sun, by John Lorinc
October 20, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "...Last night, Miller kicked off the summit
by talking up City Hall's $2.3-million green roof
and Toronto's freshly-minted policy mandating green roofs
on new structures such as condos -- the first such bylaw for a large
North American city...Toronto is also offering owners of industrial
and commercial buildings grants worth up to $100,000 to build a
green roof; the program budget is $800,000 a year..."
Horticulture class learns clean energy from PECO
Temple News, by Sierra Gladfelter
October 20, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "Students in a fundamentals of horticulture
class on Main Campus recently took a tour of the PECO Building's
green roof at 23rd and Market streets to learn about
sustainable design and incorporating plants into architecture...
This past September, after a half a year of work, the company unveiled
this 45,000-square-foot green roof on the top of its
headquarters..."
NASA Strikes Gold
PR Web, Press Release
October 20, 2009
Pasadena, CA. "NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) debuts
its new Flight Projects Center Monday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. JPL is
a Federally-funded research and development facility managed by
the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)...A vegetative
roof will keep the building cool in the summer and warm
in the winter. The green roof will also help minimize
storm water runoff into the Arroyo Seco, a dry riverbed near JPL..."
Parking Outside the Box
Metropolis Magazine, by Val Moses
October 16, 2009
US. "The parking garage is the Rodney Dangerfield of building
types, the troubled snag in the urban fabric...a building that sports
environmentally friendly features like solar panels, green
roofs, and (in something of an ecological irony) LEED certification...Lots
of otherwise unsightly garages have been concealed underground,
but perhaps none with as much panache as the parking for Nike’s
European Headquarters, where the campus’s central lawn acts as a
green roof for below-grade parking..."
Villanova's campus is a stormwater lab
WHYY, by Kerry Grens
October 16, 2009
Villanova, PA. "The rains of this past week put a lot of
stress onto the region's outdated stormwater system. The city of
Philadelphia has a billion dollar proposal on the table to ease
the burden on sewers using green solutions...Green roofs,
porous asphalt, pervious concrete and rain gardens can capture most
of the runoff from storms we've had this week..."
A Swedish education
National Post, by Vanessa Farquharson
October 16, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "...During a recent study tour in the country,
a group of Canadian architects, developers and politicians were
given an inside look at a few of the newest, greenest projects in
Sweden - condo buildings that go far beyond the standard LEED qualifications
in terms of sustainability...We're similar, says John Campbell,
president of Waterfront Toronto, in that we're also taking a holistic
approach - we believe in things like canopy tree cover, green
roofs, putting transit in first..."
The ECO-ROOF enters a new season
The Bulletin, by Erin Golden
October 16, 2009
Portland, OR. "...New building has one cool roof...Tom Liptan,
the city of Portland's eco-roof program manager, said
Portland completed a study in 2008 that compared the cost of constructing
an eco-roof with the likely savings it would generate.
Based on that, we calculated that it would take about 20 years for
the added cost of an eco-roof to break even, and that
from that 20-year point forward, you're making money...Eco-roofs
also help control storm water flow because water from rain or melting
snow is absorbed into the soil and then takes more time to run off
the building..."
Green spaces 'improve health'
BBC News, by Staff
October 15, 2009
London, UK. "There is more evidence that living near a 'green
space' has health benefits. Research in the Journal of Epidemiology
and Community Health says the impact is particularly noticeable
in reducing rates of mental ill health. The annual rates of 15 out
of 24 major physical diseases were also significantly lower among
those living closer to green spaces. One environmental expert said
the study confirmed that green spaces create 'oases'
of improved health around them..."
Green roof looks pretty and benefits the environment
Daily Press, by Kathy Van Mullekom
October 15, 2009
Newport News, VA. "...A green roof does more
than just dress up a building. The system insulates the structure,
which reduces heating and cooling costs. The plants absorb and filter
rainfall, which reduces storm water runoff that could pollute waterways.
The life of a roof is extended, which reduces material going to
the landfill...Green roofs are growing in popularity
as more businesses — and homeowners — look for ways to befriend
Mother Nature..."
This meadow's on top of Toronto City Hall
National Post, by Rob Roberts
October 14, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "...Toronto's largest green roof
is under construction, and the scale of the project takes the breath
away...Terry McGlade of
Gardens in the Sky (now a division
of Flynn Canada, the flat-roofing giant) are leading this tour,
bubbling over in their excitement for their new gardening project...Participants
in the CitiesAlive
World Green Roof Infrastructure congress will view the green roof
at its grand opening..."
Discovery Green earns LEED Gold certification
Bizjournals.com, by Staff
October 13, 2009
Houston, TX. "Discovery Green has received LEED Gold certification
— making the project the first completed LEED Gold new construction
project in downtown Houston...Features that earned Discovery Green
the Gold certification included removing surface-level asphalt parking
spaces; generating 8 percent of the park’s total energy via 256
solar panels on the roofs of nearby buildings as well as using only
renewable energy for electrical power; high-efficiency HVAC equipment;
green roofs; and preservation of live oak trees..."
Regeneration experts toast the 'green, green grass of home'
24dash.com, by Staff
October 13, 2009
Sheffield, UK. "Workmen have sampled an advance taste of
life at one of Sheffield's greenest housing schemes – with a lunch
on the building's green roof...will include a roof
laid with grass, solar panels and other environmentally-conscious
measures. When complete, the green roof will absorb
extra rainwater and create a thriving habitat for local insects
and birds..."
Rhode Island Animal Shelter First LEED Gold in US
Earth911.com, by Jennifer Berry
October 13, 2009
Middleton, RI. "The Potter League, an animal shelter in Middletown,
R.I., recently became the first shelter in the U.S. to earn LEED
Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USBGC). Using
an innovative array of sustainable features from a rooftop
garden to rainwater cisterns, the $8 million building is
an example of a holistic view on animal welfare and resource conservation..."
Local growers benefit from farm-to-table concept
Pacific Business News, by Chad Blair
October 12, 2009
Honolulu, HI. "Kai Market's 'living wall' of
herbs and spices is so popular that chefs at other Sheraton Waikiki
restaurants have been known to pinch from it when in need. The
living wall is a vertical grid of mint, basil, rosemary
and other plants growing under warm lights and hydrated by a hidden
watering system..."
Green roofs: the future of architecture?
Ubyssey Online, by Ian Turner
October 12, 2009
Canada. "...A roof that is covered entirely with vegetation
is at least ten per cent more expensive to construct than a traditional
roof, but can double its lifespan. The increased construction costs
can be recouped within two years, according to the City of Port
Coquitlam....Port Coquitlam's green roof bylaw mandates
green roofs for commercial and industrial buildings.
As such, these roofs are typically intensive and not open to the
public..."
Civic Center will sport green roof
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, by Jim Stinson
October 12, 2009
Rochester, NY. "A $3.2 million 'green roof'
is expected to help control flooding around the Civic Center Plaza
downtown. Such roofs are often planted with grass, shrubs and other
greenery on top of a waterproof membrane. They help reduce heating
and cooling costs, as well as filter pollutants and greenhouse gases
out of the air. They are also known to reduce storm water runoff..."
Green walls taking root in green building design
The Associated Press, by Dan Nephin
October 12, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "The next big thing in green building design
might be to turn an existing idea on its side. PNC Financial Services
Group Inc. recently installed a green wall the size
of two tennis courts on one side of its headquarters. Like
green roofs — their perpendicular counterparts —
green walls are covered in vegetation and provide the
benefits of natural insulation and removal of air pollutants...Green
Living Technologies
LLC, of Rochester, N.Y., designed the wall at PNC. Chief Executive
George Irwin said the company also has installed walls in New York
City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle..."
Towering example
Toronto Star, by Brian Breuhaus
October 10, 2009
Chicago, ILL. "Chicago skyscraper creates rooftop garden
as part of retrofit project to slash energy use 80%...Huston says
the 3-by-4.5-metre plot near the top of the 110-storey Willis Tower,
known until this year as the Sears Tower, has a larger meaning.
'If you can do it on the 90th floor, you can do it anywhere,' says
Huston, one of the tower's owners. 'We want the building to be a
leader'. The green roof is part of a massive $200-
to $300-million retrofit of the tallest building in North America..."
Mukilteo pulls off City Hall's weed-filled sod roof
HeraldNet, by Oscar Halpert
October 10, 2009
Mukilteo, WA. “The green roof atop City Hall
is leaving some people red-faced. Work crews this week, using a
vacuum truck, began removing a weed-infested environmentally friendly
roof above the year old, $9 million City Hall's council chambers...
it was clear that subcontractors had mistakenly added mulch full
of weeds and alfalfa, which overtook natural ground-cover plants
— such as sedum — specifically added for insulation and to control
storm-water runoff...expert with the Washington State University
Extension Snohomish County, said experts often design green
roofs using a series of plant trays. Individual trays can
easily be removed if weeds show up or if there's any other problem..."
Philly's bold stormwater management plan leads the way
Daily Commercial News, by Korky Koroluk
October 9, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "As our climate slowly changes and extreme
weather events become more common, cities will have to change the
ways in which they manage stormwater. It’s not common yet, but cities
will have to begin specifying larger storm sewers, making greater
use of stormwater management ponds, promote greater use of
green roofs and rain gardens, and use pervious pavements
to allow more stormwater to seep into the ground...."
Bennetts' New Street Square green wall lives on
Architects' Journal, by Merlin Fulcher
October 9, 2009
London, UK. "Teething issues with a wall of plants at Bennetts
Associates’ New Street Square office complex in central London have
been addressed, says director Rab Bennetts. He added that the wall
has been replanted and will be ‘fine by next spring’. It was feared
this living wall could suffer the same fate as the
£100,000 high-profile wall at Paradise Park children’s centre in
Islington, North London, which eventually died – the causes of which
are still being investigated..."
School builds nature reserve on roof
Environmental Data Interactive, by Luke Walsh
October 9, 2009
Sheffield, UK. "A primary school's green roof
has been made a local nature reserve after more than 700 varieties
of plants were put in. The Sharrow School in Sheffield built a
green roof to help with the traditional problems of
humidity, noise and pollution. But, almost as a by-product the school
has also created a haven for local wildlife as the green roof
uses plants taken from the surrounding countryside..."
Students Excel at Green Infrastructure Design
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, Press Release
October 8, 2009
Toronto, CA. "International competition selects sustainable
design
winner. Five outstanding designs that transform the face of
entire city blocks using 'leafy' green infrastructure have been
selected to receive cash awards in the
CitiesAlive International
Student Design Challenge: Transforming the Face of Buildings, announced
industry associations Green Roofs for Healthy
Cities (GRHC)
and World Green Roof Infrastructure Network (WGRIN)..."
UofI SUB sports new green roof
KLEWtv.com, by Matt Loveless
October 8, 2009
Moscow, ID. "You're going to see a vegetated roof on about
1,500 square feet of roof space here on the SUB,' said Student Union
Building Associate Director Mark Miller...UI's first green
roof is saving money, and may be the wave of the future
for buildings on campus...Today, it's a habitat for insects and
birds. An improved rain water collection system helps store about
2,200 gallons of runoff, more than enough to feed the plants during
dry summer months..."
Eco in the halls of academe
Philadelphia Inquirer, by Lini S. Kadaba
October 7, 2009
Lewisburg, PA. "Across the region and the country, the green
movement has taken up residence on college campuses. New or renovated
dorms have organic suites (Drexel), green roofs (Princeton),
geothermal cooling and heating (West Chester) and eco-friendly furniture
(Villanova). Known as green dorms, they are building in popularity
as economics make more sense and eco-wise collegians expect and
demand it..."
It's Easy Being Green: Going Green for the Team
Center For American Progress, by Staff
October 7, 2009
U.S. "Major League Baseball’s postseason playoffs began this
week with Wednesday’s match up between the Phillies and Rockies.
But regardless of who wins the whole league has managed to come
together for the environment’s sake...The Nationals stadium's high-efficiency
field lighting, low-flow plumbing, and green roofs
garnered it a silver ranking..."
Campaigns to promote eco-friendly behaviour
Gulf Times, by Ourouba Hussein
October 7, 2009
Qatar. "SustainableQatar president Katrin Scholz-Barth said
that Qatar had many green infrastructure opportunities, such as
green roofs, green walls and curves
in the sidewalks. She explained that green roofs could
be achieved in Qatar, in case a water source is made available.
In this case, a thin layer of soil could be laid on roofs and saplings
or seeds planted to grow there. 'Green roofs form
an insulation and the sun’s heat is blocked', she said, noting that
this decreases the usage air conditioning..."
Russia new member of World Green Roof Infrastructure Network
Green Roofs Australia Blog, by Staff
October 7, 2009
World. "Russia is expected to become the 14th country to
join the expanding World Green Roof Infrastructure Network
(WGRIN) at next month’s
Cities Alive World
Green Infrastructure Congress in Toronto, Canada. The World Green
Roof Infrastructure Network is an international association of national
associations whose mission is to develop the world green roof
and green wall industry through international cooperation..."
Green Roofs Shown to Offset Warming
Discovery News, by Emily Sohn
October 6, 2009
U.S. "Filling rooftops with plants and dirt can help pull
a modest amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere,
found a new study. While green roofs certainly won't
solve the global warming problem, their ability to sop up greenhouse
gases -- even just a little bit -- bolsters the case for planting
them on city buildings...Green roofs offer a long
list of known benefits. They lower air-conditioning costs in the
summer by absorbing and reflecting heat. They lower heating costs
in the winter by adding extra insulation..."
Breath of fresh air
TheChronicleHerald.ca, by Bill Spurr
October 6, 2009
Halifax, Canada. "From a distance, it looks like a really
ambitious mural. But up close, the newly installed living wall at
Saint Mary’s University is, well, alive. Three stories of plants,
more than a thousand of them, are in Atlantic Canada’s first
living wall, part of SMU’s new $17.5-million Atrium,
a connector building that links the university’s library to several
other academic buildings...Saint Mary's has been looking at ways
to be kinder to the earth since at least 1971, when a grass
roof was planted on the newly completed library..."
Garden in the sky
Manila Bulletin, by Bibsy M. Carballo
October 6, 2009
Manila, Philippines. "If the Sky Garden at
SM City North EDSA is any indication, it would seem the country
is fast catching up with the green revolution that has already been
happening all over the globe...Adorning the garden are mostly endemic
plants -- from gumamela, bougainvilla, Jasmine, calachuchi, trumpet
tree, elephant ears, oleander, to various palm and bamboos types.
Peanut plants and carabao grass thrive through a technology perfected
by
ZinCo from Germany..."
Ball Hospital's new green roof will be the largest in Indiana
Muncie Star Press, by Oseye T. Boyd
October 5, 2009
Muncie, IN. "Ball Memorial Hospital stepped up its commitment
to the environment on Monday with the installation of a 23,000 square
foot green roof on top of the South Tower. When completed,
the green roof will be the largest in Indiana...American
Electric Power, Ball Brothers Foundation and Muncie Sanitary District
grants were awarded for the $300,000 project..."
Giving green a fighting chance
Chicago Flame Online, by Lucia Gonzalez
October 5, 2009
Chicago, IL. "...For those of us that are always interested
in new environmentally friendly developments, the Chicago Botanic
Garden has opened new plant conservation labs to the public...the
Josephine P. & John J. Louis Foundation Green Roof Garden North,
which has a mixture of known good green roof plants
and some exotic plants that can potentially serve for green roof
use..."
DM calls public to apply Green Roofs System
AME Info, by Staff
October 5, 2009
Dubai, UAE. "Eng. Yousuf Abdullah, Head of Licensing Section
in the Buildings Department of Dubai Municipality called upon the
public the need to adhere to the application of green building standards...The
massive urban expansion witnessed by the city of Dubai is raising
the temperature in the region, and green roofs are
one of the environment friendly solutions taken by the Dubai Municipality
to meet this expected expansion..."
New shop to have 'living roof'
BrainTree and Witham Times, by Nina Morgan
October 5, 2009
UK. "A new £1.6m food store with a ‘living roof’
is set to open in a village. The East of England Co-operative store
will open in The Street, Hatfield Peverel, at the beginning of December.
It will create about 25 jobs. The 3,000sq ft store will have a host
of eco-friendly credentials including a green roof
made from sedum (low maintenance plants with water-storing leaves)..."
School builds first 'green rooftop'
The Press Association, by Staff
October 5, 2009
Sheffield, England. "A primary school has become the first
building in the country to have a Local Nature Reserve on its roof,
Natural England has said. The 2,000 square metre "green roof"
on Sharrow School in Sheffield is designed to reflect the different
habitats surrounding the city and includes wildflower meadow and
grassland plants as well as a wetland area with a small pond. The
roof even has a dead tree..."
Green Roofs: Doing it Bigger, Better
CBS News, by Hari Sreenivasan
October 3, 2009
New York, NY. "Green roofs have been around
at least since the time of the Vikings and are still common on homes
in some parts of Scandinavia and other parts of the world. They
aren't necessarily new, but they are catching on in the United States
and as in most things American, we're doing it bigger...If you’d
like to search for projects across states and countries, by size
and type, check out a great
database
at greenroofs.com..."
See also,
Green Roofs Growing over American Cities, by Hari Sreenivasan
of CBS News.
Green Roofs For Villas Optional
Khaleej Times, by Staff
October 3, 2009
Dubai, UAE. "Dubai Municipality has made it optional for
residential villas to comply with the Green Roofs
initiative following the comments passed on by UAE nationals. The
move comes in harmony with the public interest bearing in mind achieving
the expected objectives of the project...The green roofs
project is aimed at transforming roofs of all buildings and houses
in Dubai into cultivated space, where the water from air-conditioners
would be used for irrigation of plants..."
Governor Paterson announces $43 million in stimulus funds for clean
water projects
WBGH-NewsChannel34.com, by Staff
October 1, 2009
New York, NY. "Governor David A. Paterson today announced
$43 million for innovative water quality projects across New York
through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds
were awarded to 58 different projects through a new State initiative
known as the Green Innovation Grant Program, which promotes sustainable,
environmentally sensitive water infrastructure and technologies...The
projects include green roofs, permeable pavement,
rain harvesting and progressive wastewater treatment processes..."
The downtown Pinnacle proves good architecture and good planning
aren't the same thing
Nashville Scene, by Christine Kreyling
September 30, 2009
Nashville, TN. "Architecture nerds have long had a design
wish for Nashville: an honest-to-God modern building with an elegant
glass curtain wall...The green roof that abuts the
tower proper and sits atop the garage is the most eye-catching sustainable
feature. Designed by the landscape architects at Nashville's Hawkins
Partners, Pinnacle's green roof combines the look
of a traditional garden—raised beds flanking the people space..."
Forest Heights readies for eco-friendly 'green' roof
Business Gazette, by Joshua Garner
October 1, 2009
Forest Heights, MD. "Forest Heights is moving closer to becoming
a 'green' town, possibly the first in Prince George's County, as
the town prepares for construction this week on an eco-friendly
roof for its administration building. During a Town Council meeting
Sept. 16, council members laid out final plans for an approximately
$200,000 renovation to the building that includes a green
roof and installing energy-efficient windows...We'll be
the greenest town in Maryland."
KPMB Design The "Best Tall Building in North America" For Manitoba
Hydro
Treehugger, by Lloyd Alter
September 30, 2009
Manitoba, Canada. "That's what the CTBUH (Council for Tall
Buildings) calls Manitoba Hydro Place, designed by Kuwabara Payne
McKenna Blumberg Architects, with Architect of Record Smith Carter
Architects. They have long been among the best architects in the
country, and with this building become one of the greenest...The
podium rooftops feature deep soil intensive green roofs
and accessible terraces, creating a lush landscaped outdoor amenity
for employees, while also reducing stormwater runoff and providing
additional thermal insulation..."
Also read "Manitoba
Hydro Place - A model for extreme climate responsive design",
a Press Release from PR Newswire.
Tourism sector going green
Bizjournals.com, by James Fink
September 30, 2009
Buffalo, NY. "A rooftop herb garden, sitting just above the
12th floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Buffalo, is the
symbol of a green initiative being instituted by a consortium of
local interests, headed by the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors
Bureau...The Hyatt’s roof garden is one of the most
visible examples of the local hospitality industry’s green movement.
Food scraps from the Hyatt’s food and catering operations are taken
to Good Earth Enterprises, who place them in its compost pile..."
New green roof at Washington University promotes sustainability,
adds green space
Washington University in St. Louis, by Jessica Daues
September 30, 2009
St. Louis, MO. "An environmentally friendly 'green
roof' — containing grass, native plants and approximately
110,000 pounds of soil — opened last week at the South 40 House
on the university's Danforth Campus...The green roof
will help the university improve its water management. Ninety percent
of rainwater that falls on a green roof is absorbed
by the soil and vegetation, reducing the amount of runoff.."
London warned climate change will make new infrastructure unfit
for purpose
Business Green, by James Murray
September 30, 2009
London, England. "The London Climate Change Partnership,
a group of businesses, local authorities and academics, has released
a series of reports...One of the reports, titled Adapting to Climate
Change: the role of public procurement, warns that millions of pounds
are still being invested in buildings and projects that lack simple
climate adaptation measures, such as rainwater harvesting,
green roofs and trees to provide summer shading, resulting
in infrastructure that will 'soon not be fit for purpose'..."
A Green Amenity, Above It All
New York Times, by J. Alex Tarquinio
September 29, 2009
New York, NY. "Office landlords have increasingly been wooing
prospective tenants in recent years by marketing their buildings
as environmentally friendly. Typically, these buildings are energy-efficient
or recycle water. But even in these buildings, one environmental
feature has been rare: a green roof...Recently,
green roof projects have been included in some top-to-bottom
renovations of loft-style office buildings downtown..."
Living Walls Look Great, But What About Upkeep?
Fast Company, by Kelsey Keith
September 29, 2009
US. "Not only effective in reducing energy use, a vertically
scaled garden, or living wall injects a shot of green
into gray urban streetscapes. Last week we wrote about North America's
largest largest living wall, designed by Kari Katzander
of Mingo Design with the help of of
Green Living™
Technologies.
But there are plenty of others..."
Scientist explains ASAP research on impacts of population growth
on local ecosystems
Charlottesville Tomorrow, by Sean Tubbs
September 28, 2009
Charlottesville, VA. "Trees capture carbon dioxide from the
air. Open space helps filter groundwater to make it safer for drinking.
These are two examples of “ecosystem services” that can be affected
by population growth...The strategy of directing growth into the
developing areas has the best chance of offsetting community wide
impacts on ecosystems services, Jantz said. She said the urban areas
should work towards installing green roofs, implementing
urban forestry management practices..."
'Green' Roofing About to Sprout at Bowling Green Hospital: New Wing
to Offer Grasses, Flowers
Water World, by Jennifer Feehan
September 27, 2009
Bowling Green, KY. "When patients look out their windows
in the new wing at Wood County Hospital, they'll see trees and lush
green grass...As part of a $42 million renovation and expansion
project nearing completion, the hospital is installing a "live
roof" that features 15,000 square feet of flowering plants
and grasses that should provide color from April to October..."
Breaking ground with a $1.6 billion plan to tame water
Philadelphia Inquirer, by Sandy Bauers
September 27, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "Philadelphia has announced a $1.6 billion
plan to transform the city over the next 20 years by embracing its
storm water - instead of hustling it down sewers and into rivers
as fast as possible. The proposal, which several experts called
the nation's most ambitious, reimagines the city as an oasis of
rain gardens, green roofs, thousands of additional
trees, porous pavement, and more..."
Rooftop garden act makes life in the city bearable
New Straits Times, by Marc Lourdes
September 27, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. "...One major problem we face and
will continue to face for the foreseeable future from the look of
things, are flash floods whenever we have huge downpours -- which
aren't all that rare in our tropical climate....However, being a
massive modern metropolis and an eco-friendly green
city aren't mutually exclusive concepts, as proved by Chicago, the
Windy City...In 2000, Daley used the City Hall building as a guinea
pig, planting 20,000 prairie-style plants on its rooftop garden..."
Mayor Bloomberg Joins Building Owners, Union Leader to Launch Green
Building Program
SYS-CON Media, Press Release
September 25, 2009
New York, NY. "Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined Realty Advisory
Board President Jim Berg and 32BJ President Mike Fishman today in
launching an ambitious green buildings program to train one thousand
superintendents and resident managers in one year in the latest
energy efficient practices...The One Year, One Thousand Supers curriculum
combines classes and field exercises with elective courses, including
renewable technologies, green roofs and water use..."
Lowe's brings store plans to Town board
St. Albans Messenger, by Michelle Monroe
September 25, 2009
St. Albans Town, VT. "Lowe’s Home Improvement Center made
its first appearance before the St. Albans Town Development Review
Board Thursday night at town hall...Lowe’s is proposing a 5,000-square-foot
green roof to be planted with sedum. The flow of water
from the roof and the amount of various metals and other contaminants
will be measured as part of a study to determine if green
roofs can be viable in a northern climate..."
Little Italy's green giant
National Post, by Jack Kohane
September 25, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "As a devotee of green roofs,
who ensures the idea remains at the forefront of Toronto's Environmental
Plan, Mr. Pantalone leads by example. His home's roof deck, accessed
from the kitchen, was set atop the rear extension in the late 1970s
- before the concept of green roofs became hot, he
says with a chuckle...but to create a green roof one
must start with a will to do so."
Pitt awarded for Orleans project
BBC News, by Staff
September 25, 2009
New York, NY. "Film star Brad Pitt has been presented with
an award recognising the green credentials of his housing project
in New Orleans. The actor, who was at Bill Clinton's
Global Initiative summit
in New York, said the project, set up in 2007, has "exceeded my
expectations"...The houses have environmentally friendly features
such as green roofs. Green roofs help
cut the costs of heating and keep the houses cool during New Orleans'
hot summers..."
New York City's Greenest Condos Open with Industry Buzz
Emediawire, Press Release
September 25, 2009
New York, NY. "...The environmentally-ambitious residential
project is slated to become the first low-rise new construction
condominium building in New York City to attain both LEED Platinum
and Energy Star certifications, once completed...The event was supported
by the following exhibitors: Greensulate,
a Manhattan based firm specializing in green roof
design and installations..."
Look, up in the sky: green roofs
WNEP-TV, by Meredith Cohn
September 25, 2009
Baltimore, MD. "Building owners are shedding black for green...There
are at least 20 green roofs in Baltimore, including
Sinai Hospital's 1,050-square-foot roof garden on its new eco-friendly
addition. There's a 5,500-square-foot roof on a BP gas station on
Key Highway. And the Maryland Science Center plans to build a 4,000-square-foot
green roof that will be open for public viewing..."
Paint the Town Green
Conservation Magazine, by Roberta Kwok
September 24, 2009
U.S. "Planted rooftops can sequester significant amounts
of carbon. Blanketing roofs with plants could do more than save
energy, encourage biodiversity, and make cities more attractive.
Green roofs also have the potential to sequester carbon,
researchers say in Environmental Science & Technology..."
Reportlinker Adds Roofing Materials in the US, 2nd Edition Report
PR Newswire, Press Release
September 24, 2009
New York, NY. "...Green Roofing Products Market
Growing, Influencing Innovation...$6.7 billion for renovations and
repairs to federal buildings; and $6.9 billion for local and state
governments to become more energy efficient...The terminology covers
several roof types, including cool roof coatings or paints which
can be applied to existing roofs; green roofs, which
are more garden than roof..."
Sustainable Buildings as Teaching Tools
Building Design & Construction, by Tony Alfieri
September 24, 2009
Bronx, NY. "...Universities have long recognized that the
learning process occurs throughout a student’s college experience.
Incorporating buildings into this holistic experience is a creative
and inventive way to continue to expand the learning experience
outside the classroom...Photovoltaic panels, green roofs,
constructed wetlands, sunlight and views, and operable windows can
be easily indicated as elements of a green building..."
Greening Chengkung Market Roof for Taipei Floral Expo
Business Wire, Press Release
September 24, 2009
Taipei, Taiwan. "The Taipei City Department of Economic Development
has just completed the greening of the Chengkung Market
roof under the Promotion Plan of Taipei Garden City in preparation
for the 2010 Taipei International Gardening and Horticulture Exposition...By
covering 1,806.72 square meters of the Chengkung Market roof with
such drought-resistant plants as crown of thorn, rose moss and spiderwort,
the greening is the largest-scale landscape gardening
project ever been done in Taiwan..."
Going Green On The Cheap: Low Impact Development
Metromode Media, by Amy Kuras
September 24, 2009
Detroit, MI. "When most people hear of "green development"
they think of big and splashy projects like wind farms, solar panels,
LEED certification - the sort of thing that takes a lot of money
and a whole new way of thinking to implement...One study done by
LTU students found that green roofs retain 65 to 70
percent of water, and at least a quarter inch of rain must fall
before any water comes off the roof at all..."
Natural Fusion: Solar-powered home designed for 'realities of life'
Penn State Live, by Geoff Rushton
September 23, 2009
University Park, PA. "Long cylinders wrapped in a thin dark
blue film rest atop a newly constructed home in Central Pennsylvania.
Beneath the cylinders is vegetation...It's a system called Green
Roof Integrated Photovoltaics (GRIP V) where the properties of the
green roof beneath the panels create greater efficiency
in powering the house..."
'Green' roofs may help put lid on global warming
EurekAlert, Press Release
September 23, 2009
East Lansing, MI. "Green roofs, those increasingly
popular urban rooftops covered with plants, could help fight global
warming, scientists in Michigan are reporting...Kristin Getter and
colleagues point out in the new study that green roofs
are multi-functional. They reduce heating and air conditioning costs,
for instance, and retain and detain stormwater. Researchers knew
that green roofs also absorb carbon dioxide, a major
greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, but nobody had
measured the impact until now..."
Hospital goes green with living roof
Fox11online.com, by Laura Smith
September 23, 2009
Green Bay, WI. "Workers are busy this week installing a 22
thousand square foot 'Living Roof' at St. Mary's Hospital
in Green Bay. Truckloads of perennials are lifted to the roof of
the Regional Cancer Collaborative where they are installed. It is
the largest living roof in Wisconsin, and according
to hospital officials it's a chance to recapture green space...16,000
square feet will be 'green' while 6,000 square feet will be used
for a terraced area, walking paths and seating..."
Onondaga County asks judge to approve revised Onondaga Lake clean
plan
The Post-Standard Syracuse.com, by Tim Knauss
September 23, 2009
Syracuse, NY. "Expect to see vegetation sprouting on downtown
rooftops. Expect to see orchards and gardens flowering in vacant
lots. Expect sections of pavement to be replaced with plants or
porous materials...They said they anticipate offering financial
incentives to building developers and owners who install green
roofs, rain barrels, rain gardens
or other..."
Mixed-use project OK'd near Montgomery mall
Business Gazette, by Bradford Pearson
September 23, 2009
Bethesda, MD. "Building to include condos, retail,
green roof. A new 340-unit mixed-use development slated
to be built near Montgomery mall will have one of the largest private
green roofs in the county, according to the project's
architect...A green roof is used to help filter rainwater,
and lessen the building's stormwater runoff. Green roofs have become
increasingly popular..."
TTC unveils station plans
Toronto Star, by Tess Kalinowski
September 23, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "Designs for two Spadina subway extension
stops take advantage of their suburban surroundings...the transit
agency revealed plans for the first two stations on the planned
Spadina subway extension, including a design for Sheppard West from
architectural firm Aedas that resembles twinned landing strips...An
artist's rendering of the future Sheppard West station on the planned
Spadina subway extension shows green roofs that look
like landing strips..."
Stunning Green Roofed High School by Off Architecture
Inhabitat Blog, by Bridgette Meinhold
September 23, 2009
Revin, France. "High school students in Revin, France will
soon be attending classes in a stunning new terraced building covered
in green roofs. Seen from above the new Lycee Jean
Moulin school will simply appear as a terraced landscape, practically
disappearing into the hillside. Designed by Paris-based, Off Architecture
in association with Duncan Lewis Scape Architecture and Jeans Giacinto,
this green roofed marvel is curvaceous and organic,
blending into the countryside..."
The West Coast Green Conference is coming to San Francisco
Examiner.com, by David Ballantine
September 22, 2009
San Francisco, CA. "The
West Coast Green Conference
(WCGC), billed as “the largest green conference on innovation for
the built environment,” is coming to San Francisco, Oct. 1-3, at
Fort Mason...There will also be one of the more innovative trends
of green living over the past few years, a display featuring
living walls. Talk about your vertical integration. This
new type of vertically planted system has all the benefits of the
aforementioned hanging garden but is often incorporated into the
interiors as well as exteriors of buildings..."
'Green' roof downtown is Kentucky's largest
Louisville Courier-Journal, by James Bruggers
September 22, 2009
Louisville, KY. "...Made of hundreds of thousands of tiny
water-absorbing sedum plants, the new roof atop the American Life
& Accident Insurance Co. building on Main Street also appears to
be a natural extension of the city’s Belvedere, the grassy park
area atop underground parking structures and Interstate 64...The
living roof replaced a tar and gravel roof and will
cut air conditioning costs by 75 percent while also reducing storm
water runoff by 50 percent..."
Purdue's first green roof won't be last
WLFI.com, by Jeff Smith
September 22, 2009
West Lafayette, IN. "Plant covered roof reduces runoff, moderates
temp. The first 'green roof' on campus was unveiled
on top of the (Sh-lee-man) Schleman Hall of Student Services. A
variety of plants cover the top of the building...Graduate Student
Heather Gall said the green roof has a variety of
benefits, including reducing stormwater run-off..."
PNC Unveils Largest Green Wall in North America
PR Newswire, Press Release
September 22, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "Vertical version of green roof increases
energy-efficiency for world's leader in newly constructed LEED-certified
buildings. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) has
unveiled the largest green wall in North America as
an innovative way to make its headquarters building more energy-efficient...The
vertical garden, similar to a green roof, will help
to cool the 30-story building...The wall is a product of Green Living(TM)
Technologies (GLT) of Rochester, N.Y., and designed by Kari Katzander
of Mingo Design of New York. Plant Connection is the US Distributor
and Lead Grower for Green Living Technologies...See video -
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/pncgreenwall/40156/"
Green
Building Certification
Cooperator, by Marie N. Auger
September 21, 2009
U.S. "Real estate professionals, developers and builders
are all reporting the same thing: today’s homebuyers who are looking
for maximum value are asking for more than granite countertops and
hardwood floors—they want energy savings and green buildings...Compared
to conventional construction, a “green” home applying LEED standards
and technology uses less energy and water and fewer natural resources...The
Platinum-rated Visionaire uses an intricate water filtration system
for its toilets, has a green roof and gets 35 percent
of its electricity from renewable energy sources..."
Taking Stock of New York for 'Climate Week'
New York Times, by Kate Galbraith
September 21, 2009
New York, NY. "This week environmentalists, business executives,
global leaders and even filmmakers are descending on New York City
as it hosts two major events: the annual meeting of the
Clinton Global Initiative,
and Climate Week N.Y.C.,
billed as a run-up to the
international climate
meeting in Copenhagen in December, where delegates from around
the globe will try to hammer out a new agreement to address global
warming..."
Environmental Innovation Began Early in Erstwhile 'Smoky City'
Water World, by Allison M. Heinrichs
September 20, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "If it wasn't for an enduring image as the
"Smoky City" -- so dubbed by muckraking journalist Upton Sinclair
-- Pittsburgh might never have become a center for environmental
innovation...From ground-level, buildings in Pittsburgh look like,
well, buildings. But from the sky looking down, many appear more
like gardens. "Green" roofs are sprouting throughout
the city -- atop university lecture halls, grocery stores, hospitals,
homes, museums and the zoo, among others..."
Okemos students create a 'green' roof
Lansing State Journal, by Dawn Parker
September 20, 2009
Okemos, MI. "Initially, all a group of Okemos High School
students wanted was a storage shed to stash Styrofoam trays and
other recycled items...Along the way, the 8 x 12 building gained
a green roof covered with seven different varieties
of sedum...This is a really good example, on a small scale, of what
a green roof can do." Rowe noted that Michigan has
many green roofs, with the largest in Dearborn..."
See also,
Okemos High Schoolers Build Green Roof, by Staff of
WLAJ.com.
Landscape Architects Create New Sustainability Resource Guides
Reuters, Press Release
September 19, 2009
Chicago, IL. "The American Society of Landscape Architects
has announced a new series of comprehensive online resource guides
on sustainable design and planning. Created for national and local
policymakers, government agencies, design professionals, planners
and students, the guides include hundred of...The five online resources
include:
Green Infrastructure covers park
systems, wildlife habitat and corridors, urban forestry and
green roofs..."
Tour a new Make It Right home
The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, by Doug MacCash
September 19, 2009
New Orleans, LA. "...The newest addition to Brad Pitt's Make
It Right architectural project in the Lower 9th Ward is a three-bedroom
home designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban...Another charming
aspect of the house is the thick carpet of crassulas and other small
desert plants that covers the flat roof at the rear of the design.
The so-called "green roof" is meant to minimize rain
run-off, provide added insulation, and, one suspects, adds to the
overall ecological gestalt..."
An Urban Meadow
Washington Post, by Adrian Higgins
September 19, 2009
Washington, DC. "At 42 feet in the air, a rooftop garden's
full gyration of colors is hidden from most human eyes. High above
the bustle of Georgetown, an unusual rooftop offers condo residents
a prairie of their own...The idea of green roofs is
still a relatively new concept in the United States but is well
known to Lanier, who grew up in Austria..."
Architect couple put design ideas to test
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, by Marylynne Pitz
September 19, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "Freddie Croce and Jennifer Lucchino's third-floor
deck doubles as a green roof, with red and green sedum
that will flower into a mix of purple, orange, yellow, red and green
flowers...Eventually, the sedum will grow 8 to 12 inches high. Installed
about a week ago, the plants came from Corso's Perennials of Sandusky,
Ohio. The trays that hold the plants were provided by
LiveRoof, which is based in Michigan..."
Green Roofs to provide a cooler future for Victoria
The Premier of Victoria, Press Release
September 18, 2009
Victoria, Australia. "Imagine the roofs of Melbourne’s skyscrapers
covered with trees, plants and lawn. That’s the vision of the future
being examined by a ‘green roofs’ research project
partly funded by the Brumby Labor Government. Environment and Climate
Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the Government had contributed
$120,000 over three years to the University of Melbourne's Green
Roof Research Program which will look at tackling climate change
through planting..."
Landscape Architects Gather in Chicago for Annual Meeting on 'Beyond
Sustainability'
Reuters, Press Release
September 18, 2009
Chicago, IL. "The largest annual gathering of landscape architects
in the world begins today with the American Society of Landscape
Architects (ASLA)
2009 Annual Meeting and EXPO,
running September 18-21, at McCormick Place in Chicago...The meeting
and EXPO will draw more than 5,000 professionals to attend over
125 education sessions, as well as 400 exhibitors displaying the
latest in outdoor furnishings, green roofs, playground
structures, living walls, planting materials and more..."
PSU green lab, professor aim to build efficiency
OregonLive.com, by Carrie Sturrock
September 18, 2009
Portland, OR. "Green roofs typically do better
when they don't bake in the hot sun. And solar photovoltaic panels
boast more efficiencies at lower temperatures. So David Sailor,
a professor of mechanical engineering at Portland State University,
and his colleagues will experiment by pairing green roofs
and solar panels to increase the performance of each...The
university funding came from the 10-year, $25-million challenge
grant the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation gave the university
in 2008 for sustainability, helping to make PSU a local gem when
it comes to green research..."
HUD awarded prestigious energy efficiency award
RealEstateRama, by Staff
September 17, 2009
Washington, DC. "The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development is the recipient of the 2009 Galaxy Star of Energy Efficiency
Award for significantly reducing energy consumption in public housing
developments across the country...One HOPE VI success story includes
Highland Gardens, a mid-rise apartment building in Milwaukee that
boasts the nation’s largest residential “green” roof.
Besides the aesthetic value, green roofs offer lower
energy consumption, longer roof life, storm-water reduction, and
improved air quality..."
Museum of Nature and Science Unveils Designs
NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, by Greg Janda
September 17, 2009
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. "Opening by early 2013, Dallas' new
Perot Museum of Nature and Science will be another striking architectural
addition to Victory Park, based on what we've seen from the artist
renderings and building models released today by the museum...An
acre of rolling roofscape comprised of rock and native
drought-resistant grasses reflects Texas's indigenous landscape
and demonstrates a living system..."
Chicago ranks No. 1 in green buildings
Chicago Tribune, by Blair Kamin
September 17, 2009
Chicago, IL. "...Chicago now has more certified green buildings
than any other city in the country, according to figures I received
yesterday from the U.S. Green Building Council. The council reports
that 88 projects in Chicago have earned Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) certification...public and private projects
receiving city assistance must either have a green roof
or pursue green building certification..."
Portland lauded for efforts to reduce sewage and stormwater overflows
OregonLive.com, by Abby Haight
September 17, 2009
Portland, OR. "Portland's innovative solutions to sewage
and stormwater overflows earned it praise in a national report released
today that studied community reactions to changing climate. Portland
is a top "water wise" community, thanks to city programs that encourage
green streets, eco-roofs and downspout disconnection,
according to American Rivers, which released its report as Congress
is gears up to address an extensive climate change bill to help
communities prepare for floods, weather extremes and waterborne
diseases that could come with global warming..."
Funding Deadlines for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects
Through Illinois DCEO Announced
Seyfarth Shaw, by Staff
September 17, 2009
ILL. "Over $100 million in federal recovery funding has been
made available to the Illinois State Energy Plan administered by
the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
The
DCEO website recently announced the following application
deadlines for private projects: Applications due October 1, 2009
for Green roof grants and Large electric customer
energy efficiency program..."
Green Roof Bylaw leads to channel opportunity
ITBusiness.ca, by Maxine Cheung
September 16, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "Now that the City of Toronto has passed
a Green Roof Bylaw, new building developments of certain
sizes will be required to build green roofs in the
coming months. ESRI Canada Ltd. has taken a voluntary stance in
support of this bylaw yesterday unveiling a new 704-square metre
green roof atop of its head office building in Toronto...In
addition to providing another habitat for insects and other wildlife,
Miller said a green roof also has obvious environmental
benefits, such as helping to mitigate the urban heat effect..."
Delta Employees to Raise Habitat for Humanity's First 'Green Roof'
in New York City
PR Newswire, Press Release
September 16, 2009
New York, NY. "Delta Air Lines employees from the New York
City area today will roll up their sleeves to help Habitat for Humanity
- New York City raise the affiliate's first 'green roof.'
The roof - constructed with 2,400 square feet of greenery - will
reduce environmental impact and lower utility costs for residents
of the 50-unit, low-income Fox-Leggett Co-op Apartments in the South
Bronx. In addition to volunteer support, Delta is providing financial
support to the project..."
See also
South Bronx building gets green treatment with farmer help from
Habitat for Humanity, by Lore Croghan and
Bronx borough goes eco-conscious: From rooftop gardens to solar
panels, by Abby Luby of of NYDailyNews.com.
Target Center goes green
KARE, by Staff
September 16, 2009
Minneapolis, MN. "At 113,000 sq. ft., and nearly three acres,
the green roof atop the Target Center is the largest
green roof in Minnesota, the fifth largest in the
United States and the tenth largest in the world...We're saving
$300,000 a year in energy costs, said Christenson. The roof has
a mighty purpose. The purpose of the roof at the Target Center is
to reduce storm water and discharge it into the Mississippi River,
said Christenson..."
See also
Minneapolis Target Center becomes first US arena with green
roof, by Jeremy Hanson of the Examiner.com
Botanical Architecture: London Hotel Grows Living Wall
Urban Gardens Blog, by Staff
September 16, 2009
London, U.K. "The world’s biggest collection of non-nettly-looking
nettles – or Urticaccae, for those in the know–as well native plants
and flowers, are sprouting vertically up the exterior walls of The
Athenaeum Hotel in London...Patrick Blanc’s Vertical Gardens
are an artistic expression of his scientific practice. Since 1994,
he has created over 140 public Vertical Gardens as
well as many private installations..."
Dalian Shide: China's Stunning New Sustainable Stadium
Inhabitat, by Bridgette Meinhold
September 16, 2009
China. "...Sustainability is a top priority and the design
includes water recycling, daylighting, renewable energy and the
beautiful and original living walls on the exterior...Los
Angeles-based NBBJ Architects, who have a good handle on green
roof design, are responsible for this innovative stadium
concept. A far cry from traditional bowls, the design focuses more
on the spectators’ view and the fan’s experience..."
Tacoma Building Facelift Includes Green Roof
Northwest Hub, by Emily Knudsen
September 15, 2009
Tacoma, WA. "When local developers decided to convert Tacoma’s
old Park Plaza South parking garage structure into a new retail-office
building—dubbed Pacific Plaza Building—they decided it was a unique
opportunity to showcase a number of green building features, including
a first-of-its-kind rooftop garden. They discovered
that adding the green roof did not only benefit the
building owners, but also improves the entire downtown area..."
Top 5 Green NFL Stadiums
GREENandSAVE, by Gladys Louise Tyler
September 15, 2009
U.S. "...As there are many different game plans for winning,
there are also an impressive array of ways stadiums are going about
becoming and remaining eco-friendly...San Francisco 49ers New Stadium
The stadium, scheduled to open in 2014, will include solar
panels and a green roof in the new venue,
Santa Clara..."
Colossal Green Volcano Building Rises in Italy
Inhabitat, by Mike Chino
September 14, 2009
Nola, Italy. "A jaw-dropping feat of architecture has risen
in the Italian city of Nola, just a stone’s throw away from the
cataclysmic Mt. Vesuvius. Designed by Renzo Piano, Vulcano Buono
is an epic cone-shaped commercial center crowned with a gorgeous
sloping green roof...Inspired by the surrounding landscape,
Vulcano Buono has a gently sloping profile that rises from the earth
as a grassy green knoll. The structure’s roof is carpeted with a
vegetative layer of over 2,500 plants..."
Alumasc's move into green building products pays off
Investors Chronicle, by Anthony Lugg
September 14, 2009
U.K. "Alumasc's push into sustainable building products such
as solar shading and green roofs paid off last year
when the construction downturn started to bite. In fact, Alumasc's
sustainable building products business would have reported underlying
profits 6 per cent ahead, rather than 6 per cent down at £9.3m,
but for a £1.1m profit hit on the cost of imported goods due to
weak exchange rates..."
Rooftop farm movement aims for the sky
The Detroit News, by Robin Shulman
September 14, 2009
New York, NY. "...In recent years, enthusiasm has grown for
green roofs, hailed for harnessing rainwater that can
overwhelm urban sewage systems, and keeping buildings warmer in
winter and cooler in summer, lowering electricity use...Across the
country, a handful of commercial-scale rooftop farm
start-ups have fashioned a rough formula for profit: It involves
the distance vegetables must travel from farm to table..."
Rooftop Gardens' Popularity Explodes
NTDTV, by Staff
September 14, 2009
World. "High above the canopy of Manhattan's concrete jungle,
lies a garden oasis. A flowering rose bush is surrounded by lilies
and lavender. Succulents and cactus plants flourish in the shadow
of a small maple tree...Ed
Snodgrass says compared to Europe, the United States
has some catching up to do when it comes to roof garden
technology. Most of his business is focused on commercial property..."
'Green' roofs get tax perks in Quezon City
BusinessWorld Online, by Staff
September 14, 2009
Quezon City, Philippines. "Quezon City has a new law requiring
private and government-owned buildings to reserve part of their
rooftops for 'greening.' New commercial/residential buildings, under
the Green Roof Ordinance (Ordinance 1940) signed into
law by Mayor Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr. last September 10, should
devote at least 30% of their roof area for plants and trees..."
Under a green roof
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, by Daniel Person
September 14, 2009
Bozeman, MT. "...For one, research shows sod can help reduce
temperatures inside a building. On a 95 degree day, a conventional
roof can heat up to a scorching 175 degrees over the course of the
day. That means the air conditioning has to fight a temperature
almost twice as hot as the air outside...greenroofs
can even make it less windy, since the difference in temperature
between cities and countryside makes air move..."
Lowdown on hi-tech roofs
Halifax Evening Courier, by Farhana Haque
September 11, 2009
U.K. "Home owners, architects and surveyors can now visit
a centre displaying the latest ecological roofing
technology...Now the firm has got the funding it needs to move its
offices to the site and create an Eco Roof Visitor Centre there...Among
the products on show are the sedum blanket – a grass-like
roof that absorbs water instead of letting it run off..."
Urban Jungle
Harrisonburg Daily News Record, by Jenny Jones
September 11, 2009
Harrisonburg, VA. "Urban Exchange Home To City's First
‘Green' Roof...Dozens of ginkgo and crape myrtle trees
and a selection of native plants line a pathway, while benches offer
a place for folks to enjoy the scenery. It is not the city's latest
pocket park. Instead, this organic retreat is located two floors
up on the roof of the retail space and parking garage at Urban Exchange...Vegetated
roofs have been prevalent in Europe for centuries, but the
trend in modern green roofing started just 50 years
ago. And recently, the concept has begun to flourish in the United
States..."
A 'green' expansion
Roanoke Times, by Sarah Bruyn Jones
September 10, 2009
Roanoke, VA. "The roof of Carilion Clinic's Riverside 3 building
is covered with 25,000 square feet of sedum plants that help to
keep the building cool...The five-story building cost $70 million
and features Southwest Virginia's largest 'green'
roof -- one designed with environmentally friendly features...-
Watch 'Carilion
Opens New Outpatient Facility' video..."
Three Indiana Cities Awarded Energy Grants
Inside INdiana Business, Press Release
September 10, 2009
Indiana, U.S. "...Indiana will receive more than $11 million
to support energy efficiency and conservation projects in Bloomington,
Fort Wayne and Indianapolis...Indianapolis will receive more than
$8 million for projects to create new, green jobs and reduce energy
consumption in the city, including installing 10,000 square feet
of green roofs and at least 5,000 watts of solar power
across the city’s parks buildings. Green roofs create
significant energy savings by reducing the heating and cooling loads
of buildings, while solar energy applications provide clean, renewable
energy..."
YMCA Green Roof Unveiled
Torontoist, by Marc Lostracco
September 10, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "Back in May, when the Metro Central YMCA
announced they were planning a green roof to accompany
other repairs, it was an idea that made sense...Today, the organization
opened the new green roof, and while it isn't going
to actually be green for a while, it's an appealing change, both
for its creature comforts and environmental benefits..."
Gardens are going up and away
Farm and Dairy, by Emily Caldwell
September 10, 2009
Salem, OH. "Green roofs seem to be sprouting
all over the country these days. From New York to Chicago, from
office buildings to schools, many communities are getting excited
about the potential of green roof technology...Researchers
have found that instead of piping stormwater away from drains, treating
it and then reusing the water source, a properly installed green
roof can capture the stormwater and use it to nourish plants..."
Bill Gates to Speak at Sept. 22 Dedication of Carnegie Mellon's
Gates and William Centers
Reuters, by Staff
September 9, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "Bill Gates, co-chair and trustee of the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and chairman of Microsoft Corp.,
will present the keynote address at dedication ceremonies for the
Gates Center for Computer Science and the Hillman Center for Future-Generation
Technologies on Sept. 22 at Carnegie Mellon University...The buildings
have five green roofs, use rotary heat exchangers
called enthalpy wheels to limit energy loss in the ventilation system,
and include a system for collecting rainwater..."
For The Love Of Water: H209 & The New Generation Competition
WorldChanging, by Sean Conroe
September 9, 2009
World. "...Third prize: Brendan McKeon, Columbia University...Inspired
by a talk by architect William McDonough, McKeon sought out ways
to effectively manage runoff within cities. With roofs accounting
for 40 to 50 percent of impermeable surfaces within the urban landscape,
he figured that installing green roofs would be the
best possible way to manage this excess water..."
Energy grants to light suburban roads
Louisville Courier-Journal, by Staff
September 9, 2009
Louisville, KY. "The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded
nearly $7 million in federal stimulus funding to the Louisville
Metro Government for energy efficiency improvements across Jefferson
County. The money will be used, among other things, to install energy-efficient
street lights, synchronize stop lights along several major suburban
roads and to retrofit government buildings so they use less energy...$1.5
million to add green roofs, solar panels and efficient
lighting to city government buildings..."
Ground broken on $3.4 billion Homeland Security complex
CNN International, by Mike M. Ahlers
September 9, 2009
D.C. "Washington notables broke ground on the future home
of the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday, symbolically
starting construction on the biggest federal building project in
the Washington area since the Pentagon 68 years ago...The first
building, a 1.8 million-square-foot U.S. Coast Guard headquarters,
will cost about $435 million and is scheduled for completion in
2013. The building will include 'green roofs' and
landscaped courtyards to capture and reuse surface water..."
Chicago's New Plant Conservation Center Showcases Sustainable Design
Reuters, by Joshua Saunders
September 9, 2009
Chicago, IL. "By 2050, the planet may lose 34,000 plant species
according to the World Conservation Union. That accounts for approximately
one out of eight species in the world and about one-third of all
species in the United States...Perhaps the most beautiful and fitting
space at the new Plant Science Center is the rooftop garden. Consisting
of two 8000-square-foot sections, the garden will showcase 320 plant
varieties being evaluated in order to make recommendations to consumers
about which plants are best suited for rooftop gardening..."
Living and green walls are growing in popularity
Journal of Commerce, by Jean Sorensen
September 9, 2009
Burnaby, Canada. "Green building has taken on a more literal
meaning recently as living and green walls become
more common...Green walls grow on a trellis, frame
or cables, while living walls uses either a modular
system of squares. These are roughly a foot square and three-inches
deep. They are pieced together with each unit having a nursery grown
plant, plus an irrigation system for easy replacement of plants
or a stainless steel frame onto which pots and an irrigation system
are installed..."
Virginia may tighten screws on runoff pollution
C-Ville Weekly, by Erika Howsare
September 8, 2009
Virginia, US. "Here’s a riddle. When is rainfall bad for
the environment? Answer: when it becomes “stormwater runoff,” washing
sediment and excess nutrients off yards and fields, then into streams,
rivers and eventually the Chesapeake Bay...An almost entirely paved
site, under the proposed regs 301 W. Main St. would be subject to
requirements that phosphorus runoff be reduced by 20 percent, double
the reduction currently required. Butler says there are a number
of ways to do this on-site, including green roofs
and rainwater harvesting..."
'Green roofing' will help keep buildings cooler
GulfNews, by Abbas Al Lawati
September 7, 2009
Dubai. "A pioneering plan to introduce 'green roofing'
in Dubai could help reduce the temperature of buildings and keep
them significantly cooler, said Hussain Lootah, Director General
of Dubai Municipality...That's why we have introduced the
green roof. These roofs, made of three materials, would
reflect the heat instead of absorbing it..."
Swimming and tennis on roof over Battersea
This is London, by Ruth Bloomfield
September 7, 2009
London, UK. "Residents of a restored Battersea Power Station
would be able to play tennis or go for a swim at a rooftop sports
centre under revised plans for the Thameside landmark...It features
a green roof and a riverside walkway. It involves
3,700 homes, 140,000sqm of office space and 46,000sqm of shops.
A hospital and hotel may also be..."
'Green roofs' help cushion urban footprint
New Zealand Herald, by Denise Bester
September 7, 2009
Auckland, New Zealand. "Relatively new in New Zealand,
green roofs, or living roofs, were first
used several centuries ago in Europe to provide insulation, and
are now designed to provide a "natural landscape" in an urban setting.
They can range from native, low maintenance landscapes (extensive
gardens), to a complete recreational green space, or even an urban
farm (intensive gardens)..."
Try reducing urban heat island effect
Nashua Telegraph, by Kristin Arrigo
September 6, 2009
New Hampshire, US. "Green rooftops are a popular
solution for the urban heat island effect. Mount Washington Resort
has a rooftop landscape. This contribution is an inspiration to
what can be done on a rooftop here in New Hampshire. Green
rooftops absorb as much as 75 percent of rainwater, which
helps to reduce the load on city sewers...Green rooftops
are tremendous insulators. There are reported savings in both summer
air-conditioning and winter heating of up to 30 percent in buildings
that have a rooftop garden..."
Pollination opportunity aplenty atop building's new green garage
TheNewsTribune.com, by Kathleen Merryman
September 5, 2009
Tacoma, WA. "Eight stories above downtown Tacoma, a meadow
needs a beehive. Honeybees are working the dianthus, candytuft and
evening primrose blooming in neon shades of pink, purple, and apricot
high atop 1130 Pacific Ave. The bees, and a modest population of
ladybugs, are the unexpected residents of the 30,000 square feet
of green roof that surely is the most colorful in
the state..."
Intriguing Architecture - OMA's Interlace residential complex in
Singapore
Architecture Innovations, by Staff
September 4, 2009
Montreal, Canada. "The interlocking blocks form a vertical
village with cascading sky gardens and both private
and public roof terraces. The design capitalizes on the generous
size of the site and further maximizes the presence of nature by
introducing extensive roof gardens, landscaped sky terraces and
cascading balconies..."
Eco pods create level 5 social housing
Green Building Press, by Staff
September 4, 2009
U.K. "An innovative social housing scheme built by Paradigm
Housing Group has seen five green roofed eco-pods,
providing 24 one and two bedroom flats, pop up on a piece of derelict
land between rows of semi-detached houses...The green roofs
will help too. Prefabricated pods were chosen as the site wasn't
wide enough for a conventional bricks and mortar development..."
Hospital roof project awarded to local business
Springfield News Sun, by Kelly Mori
September 4, 2009
Springfield, MA. “Cason Roofing crews will begin working
on the 112,500 square foot in March, Cason said. About 47,000 square
feet is planned as a vegetative roof system — which
prepares the surface for live plantings...Vegetative roof systems,
commonly called green roofing, are designed to add
green space to urban settings, provide natural insulation, and prevent
excessive water run off..."
Group raising 'green roof' awareness
Vancouver Courier, by Sandra Thomas
September 4, 2009
Vancouver, Canada. "Green roofs aren't just
for megaprojects like the Olympic Village, says the director of
a non-profit group dedicated to bringing sustainable design to local
communities...During the event volunteers can learn the basics of
installing a green roof and join students from the
BCIT Centre for Architectural Ecology.."
Green roofs "fluff" for many architects
Architecture and Design, by Gemma Battenbough
September 4, 2009
Sydney, Australia. "Green roofs are being added
as 'a piece of fluff' to finished designs when they should be integral,
according to an expert...The truly sustainable benefits come from
integrating green roofs back into storm water management,
grey water recycling, increasing capacity of solar output, reducing
energy costs of running air conditioning units..."
Growing green roofs
R&D, by Staff
September 3, 2009
East Lansing, MI. "...a healthy roof requires the selection
of a species that can survive extreme climates and propagate easily
to reduce erosion and weed growth. Kristin L. Getter of Michigan
State University's Department of Horticulture led a study to determine
the effect of the growing medium's depth on the success of
green roofs. The research study, published in a recent
issue of HortScience, focused on Sedum, a variety of succulent known
for its drought tolerance..."
Chicago Botanic Garden To Open Plant Science Center Gardens, Green
Roof Garden and Rainwater Glen This Month
Chicago Press Release, Press Release
September 2, 2009
Chicago, ILL. "...The Plant Science Center Gardens will consist
of a 16,000-square-foot Green Roof Garden atop the
building and a Rainwater Glen that surrounds the building...A total
of 320 different plant taxa was selected by a team of Garden staff
and the lead design firm, Oehme, van Sweden & Associates. The team
looked at plants that have been successful in other green
roof applications as well as regional and national native
plants, but didn’t want to rule out plants that showed potential..."
Germany's first eco-city
The Sun Daily, by Staff
September 2, 2009
Hamburg, Germany. "At Hamburg’s harbour, once busy with shipbuilding,
a former comb factory is being transformed into an eco development.
The Creative-Industrial complex (above) will consist of 10 structures
when completed, combining new architecture with restored historic
buildings...Eco-friendly and non-toxic materials from the previous
structures on the site were used in the construction. Green
roofs and green beltways reduce storm water runoff..."
Rooftops take urban farming to the skies
MSNBC.com, by Marisa Belger
September 1, 2009
New York, NY. "Short on space? Grow your own local, sustainable
food against a city skyline...Rooftop farms and other green
roofs help to reduce combined sewer overflow or CSO, which
is water pollution that occurs after soggy weather like big rainfalls
or snow melts..."
India's Greenest Building
Allianz Knowledge Partnersite, by James Tulloch
September 1, 2009
India. "It will never rival the beauty or fame of the Taj
Mahal, but the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre in Hyderabad
may be more important to India’s future, kick-starting a green
building revolution...The GBC is in fact one of the greenest
buildings in the world; the first outside the United States, and
only the third in the world, awarded a Platinum LEED rating by the
U.S. Green Building Council..."
Publisher's Note:
See the related story "Green Buildings In India" by Christine
Thüring here.
Mohawk ushering in green revolution
Hamilton Spectator, by Rachel De Lazzer
September 1, 2009
Hamilton, Canada. "New energy-efficient building to harness
natural resources and use plants to filter air...An accessible
green roof, massive green wall, rainwater
recycling system -- all are part of the new two-storey addition
to the campus that has lacked a front door to the main road it sits
on since construction in 1968..."
Gardens Grow Up: Are Vertical Landscapes the New Green Roofs?
Triple Pundit, by Mary Catherine O'Connor
September 1, 2009
World. "Even if you’re not a gardener or urban planner, you’ve
likely heard a thing or two about vertical gardens
and/or vertical farming recently. From applications that are purely
aesthetic, to those aimed at greening buildings and cleaning air
in urban environments, or sustainably increasing agricultural output
in urban settings, there is a steady buzz around the notion that
one does not need a horizontal substrate to grow things..."
How Adnams turned its beer green
Guardian.co.uk, by Felicity Carus
September 1, 2009
Suffolk, UK. "After brewing at the same site since 1872,
Adnams, a medium-sized brewer based in Southwold in Suffolk, decided
to use the modernisation of its Victorian brewery as an opportunity
to turn its beer green...The brewer also says the living roof
on the eco-warehouse made from sedum (a substitute for grass) which
helps to regulate the internal temperature..."
Publisher's Note: Read
about Adnam's in Ed Snodgrass' last column:
How to Secede on Green Roofs Without
Really Tryin
Green green grass of Arbat
Moscow News, by Nathan Toohey
August 31, 2009
Moscow, Russia. "Novy Arbat has gone green with its own grassroots
movement - a green-roof renovation. The Novy Arbat
building that houses the Novoarbatsky Shopping Centre has had its
rooftop covered in lawn grass. The total turf area consists of more
than 2,700 square metres...The new 'field' comes with an automatic
watering system incorporated into the layer of soil. At fixed intervals
the control system releases the water via a spray system..."
Protecting Municipal Green Programs is the Smart Choice, even During
the Recession
Red, Green, and Blue, by Amiel Blajchman
August 31, 2009
U.S. "As the recession has forced municipal governments all
over to tighten their belts, municipally run green initiatives have
been some of the programs on the chopping block...Green roof
technology is a common urban and rural roofing technique in Europe.
While building managers find green roofs to be beneficial
due to their insulation and reduced maintenance benefits, municipalities
have developed green roof promotion programs to support
aging sewer and wastewater infrastructure..."
Minimizing Impacts of Hotter Augusts in DC
Washington Post Blogs, by Staff
August 31, 2009
D.C. "...Temperatures on a dark-colored asphalt rooftop in
the city can reach 150 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot summer
day. After installing a green roof, these temperatures
can drop by as much as 40 to 50 degrees. Green roofs
consist of layers of waterproof lining, insulation, gravel, soil
and sun-loving plants. The District's "20-20-20" vision is to install
20 million square feet of green roofs, or about 20%
of the roof area of all city buildings over 10,000 square feet,
by 2025..."
Foster + Partners Unveil Sustainable Super City for South Korea
Inhabitat, by Bridgette Meinhold
August 31, 2009
South Korea. "South Korea recently announced plans to construct
a sustainable super-city that stands to eclipse the size of Masdar
in the UAE...Currently the area is predominantly agricultural and
supports approximately 35,000 people. Terraced farming will be replaced
in part by green roofs, thus minimizing loss of agricultural
space. The layout of roads..."
Green grows the city
Louisville Courier-Journal, by Diane Heilenman
August 30, 2009
Louisville, KY. "The building, which was designed as a model
of sustainable architecture, houses offices, an art gallery and
a restaurant. Williams' green wall, which is planted
with native shade plants, is based on modules she has developed
that create a hanging system she hopes to manufacture that will
give urban gardeners a new way to grow...Such things as green
walls and green roofs mitigate the “heat island”
effect, slow down storm water runoff and provide exceptional insulation
to the buildings below..."
Garden goals
Malaysia Star, by Andrew Sia
August 30, 2009
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. "Concrete + greenery = green oasis?
If there is one city in the region that has softened and swathed
its urban concrete jungle with lush landscaping, it is Singapore...Singapore
is targeting some 50 hectares of skyrise greenery
by 2030 and its Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) launched its
LUSH Programme (Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises)...And
after green roofs and balconies, even the very vertical
walls of buildings may be planted over..."
Gardens go to the wall to defy blue skies
The Age.com.au, by John Elder
August 30, 2009
Melbourne, Australia. "Using less water is just one of the
benefits of planting a vertical garden...Mr. Tyler predicts that
in five to 10 years, roof gardens and vertical walls
will be an integral, even mandatory part of city planning...The
University of Melbourne recently bid for a grant of about $3 million
from the State Government to establish a knowledge centre for
green walls and roofs at its Burnley campus..."
Westport monastery is on 'cutting edge' of green technology
Wisconsin State Journal, by Gena Kittner
August 29, 2009
Westport, WI. "Geothermal heating and cooling; solar panels;
windows that open and natural lighting in all occupied spaces; rain
gardens; roof gardens; tankless water heaters...Holy
Wisdom was constructed to achieve LEED — Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design — platinum certification, and has the “high
probability” of receiving 63 out of 69 possible LEED points..."
The Past, Present and Future of Green Roofs & Vertical Gardens
The Daily Green, by Gloria Dawson
August 29, 2009
New York, NY. "A new exhibit looks at the exciting possibilities
of growing food and vegetation in unlikely spaces, transforming
cities into sustainable green oases...A new exhibit on vertical
gardens, vertical farms and green roofs has
opened at Exit Art in Midtown Manhattan in partnership with SEA
(Social Environmental Aesthetics). The exhibit incorporates photography,
illustrations and information on various alternative garden and
farming projects..."
Even you can find success growing semps
The Coloradoan, by Dick Christensen
August 29, 2009
Fort Collins, CO. "If looking for garden plants that are
easy to grow, consider planting Sempervivums to bring visual depth
and dazzling texture...Today, planners of green-construction methods
often incorporate semps into natural roofing or living roofs.
Natural roofs absorb rainwater, provide insulation, create habitat
for wildlife and help to lower urban air temperatures..."
Raise the roof with a little green
Hamilton Spectator, by Steve Arnold
August 29, 2009
Hamilton, Canada. "Insulation is also one of the benefits
being touted by supporters of "green" or "living" roofs
-- literally gardens on the top of your house...Supporters say a
living roof can absorb rainwater rather than letting it run onto
the ground and into overtaxed sewer systems. They also limit heat
penetration in summer and the escape of heat in winter, cutting
heating and cooling costs, all the while filtering out pollutants
from rainwater..."
Wanted: Cool Roofs For Hot-And-Bothered Town
WorldChanging, by Garry Campbell
August 28, 2009
London, UK. "With urban green space at an absolute premium,
Groundwork is taking it to the rooftops...Green roofs
aren't only useful in maximising land; they're a great way of adapting
to, and helping mitigate, climate change...Cities desperately need
more rooftop gardens, says
Anna Cooper,
Green Roof Development Officer at Groundwork Sheffield – for the
sake of environmental justice..."
Three Green Most Colleges
Green Buildings – Green World, by Staff
August 28, 2009
US. "Nowadays, not only the factories, industries start their
journey towards the green future but also many educational institutions...Green
roof of the new building is a greatest highlight of Evergreen
State College at Olympia, Washington. This building is being evaluated
for the LEED-Gold rating under the USGBC. This tremendous
green roof builds 24000 square-feet on 13 separate
green roof areas..."
Green units affordable, available to low-income
OregonLive.com, by Carrie Sturrock
August 27, 2009
Portland, OR. "Solar panels on the roof of his building will
soon power a Zipcar station with an electric car. A section of
'living' roof planted with sedum and Mexican feathergrass
helps manage storm-water runoff...affordable green rental housing
is becoming increasingly common as the cost of materials drops and
developers become more experienced at building green..."
Attorney General Cuomo dedicates over $1.8 Million to join local
efforts to fight Bronx River pollution
Media Newswire, Press Release
August 27, 2009
New York, NY. "...The funding will be provided to seven entities,
including the Bronx River Alliance, THE POINT Community Development
Corporation, the New York Botanical Garden, the New York City Parks
Department, and the Westchester County Planning Department, for
"green infrastructure" - natural systems, like wetlands, or engineered
systems that mimic them - that capture and treat polluted stormwater
before it reaches the river...Examples include rooftop gardens
on buildings, permeable pavement, and street planters that intercept
rainwater or reduce rainwater runoff..."
More 'green roofs' is aim of council plan; mayor forms Cabinet
Austin American-Statesman, by Staff
August 27, 2009
Austin, TX. "Green Roofs may sprout if resolution
is adopted. Council Members Chris Riley and Randi Shade want to
see more "green roofs" in Austin. They have written
a resolution, up for a vote today, that calls for forming a committee
to recommend incentives the city could offer to promote green
roofs. A green roof is partially or fully covered with vegetation
to absorb rain water, reduce heat absorption, save energy and serve
as an animal habitat..."
Living roofs: Unusual crop protects homes from the elements
Missoulian, by Betsy Cohen
August 26, 2009
Stevensville, MO. "A new cash crop has arrived in this historic
agricultural community, long the home of cattle ranches and hayfields.
Nate Lengacher is growing roofs. Called "green" or
"living," these house-toppers are made of sedum and other region-specific
succulents...The green product is officially called
XeroFlor, after a 30-year-old system
designed in Germany and modified for North American climates, said
Clay Rugh, general manager for
XeroFlor in North America..."
Dalhousie Offers Industrial Best Practices for Water
EP Magazine, by Staff
August 26, 2009
Nova Scotia, Canada. "...Dallhousie University's Eco-Efficiency
Centre in partnership with the Salamander Foundation has developed
'Industrial
Best Practices for Water Management: A Guide for Industry to Help
Reduce Its Water Footprint.' The report covers the current
state of water management in Canadian industrial parks and discusses
the implications that inefficient water use can have...the report
includes a number of practical suggestions to make better use of
water locally, such as through green roofs, stormwater
management, and storage..."
Japan 'hosts potentially greenest data centre'
Inside Japan Tours, by Susan Ballion
August 25, 2009
Japan. "A new data centre has been announced by Hitachi Data
Systems in Japan which the organisation claims could be the industry's
most reliable and robust...The data centre has a rooftop garden
which shades the building and can lower the indoor temperature in
the summer by as much as three degrees Celsius..."
Building an eco house: raising the roof over our heads
Telegraph.co.uk, by Claire Alderson
August 25, 2009
London, England. "...The sedum-planted roof,
composed of water-retaining succulents, is an ecologically sound
alternative to slate. It not only absorbs pollutants from the atmosphere,
it also acts as a great insulator and helps to reduce rainwater
run-off – a major cause of storm flooding. You can have a 'living'
roof with grass or other plants, but because our site is south facing,
we felt that grass would burn to a bright yellow colour..."
Mexico City's green roofs help fight climate change
Xinhua, by Alexander Manda
August 25, 2009
Mexico City, Mexico. "More buildings in Mexico City are having
plants on their roofs to help reduce pollution and lower the city's
temperature to improve the environment for its population...Plants
reflect less, which means less heat in the atmosphere, said Ramon
Perez, who works for the North American Center for Environmental
Information and Communication (CICEANA), a non-governmental organization
that promotes sustainable development and provides environmental
education. It also offers community-based ecological projects including
green roofs..."
Turner Completes Largest Green Roof in New York City
PR Newswire, Press Release
August 24, 2009
New York, NY. "Turner Construction Company, the nation's
largest green builder, has substantially completed New York City's
largest green roof for the United States Postal Service
(USPS) atop the 2.2 million sq. ft. Morgan Mail Processing Facility
on West 28th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues...The scope of
work included the installation of plants and grasses and fourteen
wood benches made from lumber certified sustainable by the Forest
Stewardship Council. The roof will reduce storm water runoff and
will save the USPS $30,000 each year on heating and cooling costs..."
How green is their rooftop: Work on now leak-free top level of KMCC
Stars and Stripes, by Jennifer H. Svan
August 24, 2009
Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "We’re going to leave the project
this time with a working green roof, and a green
roof that doesn’t leak, said Col. David Reynolds, U.S. Air
Forces in Europe’s engineering programs division chief...Though
a green roof costs more than a conventional one, it’s
expected to last 40 years or more, twice the life expectancy of
an artificial roof..."
Laying rooftop oases
News & Observer, by John Murawski
August 23, 2009
Raleigh, NC. "Baker Roofing has been creating garden
roofs for a decade and puts up a dozen light-reflecting
roofs a week. Now the company is starting a sustainable practices
division to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced roofing
designs, especially in government and military construction contracts...They're
leading the trend in the Southeast for sure, said Emilio Ancaya,
founder and owner of
Living Roofs, an Asheville contractor
that specializes in garden roofs. It is a new wave."
Yellowjacket roof goes green
Superior Telegram, by Staff
August 22, 2009
Superior, WI. "Workers on Thursday begin installing approximately
17,000 square feet of plants atop the new Yellowjacket Union student
center at the University of Wisconsin-Superior on their way to creating
one of the largest “green roofs” in the region...The
green roof is being installed by Pioneer Roofing of
Johnson Creek, Wis. The company says that, to the best of its knowledge,
the Yellowjacket Union roof is the first monolithic extensive
green roof on a pitched roof in Wisconsin..."
Green roofing used in two local projects
NewsChannel 9 WSYR, by Staff
August 22, 2009
Syracuse, NY. "The new Center of Excellence building downtown
and a section of the Onondaga County Jail in Jamesville will feature
roofs truly green, and will be watched by cities across the U.S.
and the world...They call it a green roof, but at
the COE, for instance, there are different varieties of plants on
the roof; some of them will be green, some of them won't..."
A Portland sustainability center could sprout in 2010
The Oregonian, by Dylan Rivera
August 21, 2009
Portland, OR. "After more than a year of technical studies,
the greenest large-scale building in the world appears poised to
start construction at Portland State University next year. The $90
million Oregon Sustainability Center -- for several years a gauzy
notion but this year funded by the Oregon Legislature -- will be
a showcase of the state's green building innovation that draws visitors,
researchers and designer-developers from across the world. It will
rely solely on its own solar panels for energy and use no more water
than falls on the site, among other major environmental feats..."
'Living wall' now very much dead
BBC News, by Staff
August 21, 2009
London, England. "A 'living wall' of geraniums
and euphorbia that cost a council £100000 to install is very much
dead. When it was installed in 2005 the wall, on the side of a children's
centre in Islington, north London, was a verdant sea of green. But
just four years later the award-winning feature withered and died
after the watering system failed...This could be down to its design
and we are currently looking at the best way to restore it."
Siskiyou nursery specializes in succulents
Record-Searchlight, by Laura Christman
August 21, 2009
Redding, CA. "The company has created green roofs
featuring succulents for buildings in the Bay Area. The eco-friendly
roofs have the potential to manage storm water, lower energy bills
and improve air quality. Plus they look nice. Hayden said succulents
are a good choice for green roofs because they can
get by with much less soil than traditional plants. That means less
weight to consider when engineering a building to support a
living roof..."
Efforts Underway To Create More Local Green Roofs
KDKA2, by Staff
August 21, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "There is a new effort underway in the
City of Pittsburgh to create more green roofs, which
are covered in plants. They are supposed to be good for the environment.
With all the plants and flowers, the roof of Conservation Consultants
on the South Side looks like a park. And the roof on part of Fifth
Avenue Place downtown has been transformed into a green space by
Highmark...Highmark, Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh and
others have gotten together to encourage people to develop more
green roofs..."
Biology Building boasts 'green roof'
El Paso Times, by Erica Molina Johnson
August 21, 2009
El Paso, TX. "The Biology Building at the University of Texas
at El Paso is among the first commercial buildings in the region
to feature a "green roof." The 9,156-square-foot roof
is covered with plants and designed to improve the building's energy
performance and extend the roof's life...In addition to the plants,
the roof includes a plaza where faculty can conduct environmental
research..."
New Wal'Green' Drug Store Opens in Chicago
CSP Daily News, by Staff
August 21, 2009
Deerfield, ILL. "Walgreens, the nation's largest drugstore
chain, celebrated the grand opening earlier this week of the first
drugstore in Illinois to meet top environmental requirements for
efficiency and design...The Logan Square Walgreens, nestled in an
urban area, features a "green roof" with plants growing
on it. The roof also has a white coating to help reduce heating
and cooling costs..."
New Guide Developed: Reducing Your Business's Water Consumption
innovations report, by Staff
August 20, 2009
Germany. "With the international attention dedicated to greenhouse
gases and carbon footprints, concerns about water, an unquestionable
necessity in the production of everything from coffee to nuclear
power and recognized by the United Nations as a basic human right,
have been somewhat muted in comparison.... the report includes a
number of practical suggestions to make better use of water locally,
such as through green roofs, stormwater management..."
Practical benefits to a green roof
Guelph Mercury, by Joanne Shuttleworth
August 19, 2009
Guelph, Canada. "The drought-tolerant sedum isn’t much of
a roofing material — until it sits atop layers of waterproof membrane
and is properly nestled in a planting medium. Then this living,
'green' roof not only protects the inside of the building
from the elements, it helps cool the building in summer, retains
heat in winter, controls water runoff, improves air quality and
provides habitat for birds and bugs..."
Rigorous standards needed
nebusiness.co.uk, by Peter McCusker
August 19, 2009
UK. "The need to keep environmental and energy matters at
the core of property design has never been more important, says
Jeff Roberts, of GVA Grimley. New laws and proposals reinforce the
requirement to recognise climate change...Green roofs
can provide a solution to environmental policy issues, helping in
the planning permission application process. Rivergreen Developments'
conference and business centre at Aykley Heads includes a live
sedum roof, a rammed earth wall, comprehensive energy
management..."
Southface Dedicates Innovative “Green” Eco Office, Announces LEED
Platinum Certification for the Commercial Office, Demonstration
and Training Facility
PitchEngine, Press Release
August 18, 2009
Atlanta, GA. "One of the greenest commercial buildings in
the world uses 84 percent less water and 53.3 percent less energy...The
Eco Office is a three-story structure with the “fourth-floor” being
The Turner Foundation Green Roof. Situated to the
east of Southface’s Resource Center, which is a residential green
building constructed in 1996, the two facilities are now joined
by the Eco Office’s three-story Melaver Atrium..."
Visionary living
Building Sustainable Design, by Ruth Slavid
August 18, 2009
New York, NY. "With the attenuation effect of the green
roofs, this means there should be no discharge of rainwater
from the building, even in a storm of two-year event...With the
attenuation effect of the green roofs, this means
there should be no discharge of rainwater from the building, even
in a storm of two-year event magnitude, according to the design
team..."
'Santa Claus' city hall hands out $2.6-million for green roofs
National Post, by Allison Hanes
August 18, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "While the three-year, $2.6-million program
is intended for retrofitting existing structures with eco-friendly
roofs, Mike Mulqueen, a senior planner at the Toronto Environment
Office, said new buildings are eligible to apply for grants this
fall...Under the program, owners of commercial, industrial or institutional
buildings can receive up to $50 per square metre to a maximum of
$100,000 for a green roof, which supports vegetation..."
Grassy coat for LA home, images
Architecture and Design, by Gemma Battenbough
August 18, 2009
Los Angeles, CA. "Canadian studio Bricault Design has created
a plant-covered extension with more than a green aesthetic for a
growing family in LA’s Venice district. The addition is covered
with living walls on three sides that not only visually
link with the green roof and surrounding landscape
but contribute to the passive systems that keep the house cool in
lieu of air conditioning..."
West coast connection: Canada Line rooted in British Columbia
Canada NewsWire, Press Release
August 17, 2009
Vancouver, Canada. "As the starting point of the new Canada
Line rapid transit route, the YVR-Airport Station features the largest
green wall in North America, sweeping west coast views,
and a direct connection to the city of Vancouver...On the north
side of the building, connected to Chester Johnson Park, a 17m high
and 12m wide green wall offers a living gateway for
passengers entering the YVR-Airport Station..."
Kaine Highlights Green Vegetative Roofs and LEED Standards
WHSV.com, by Staff
August 17, 2009
Richmond, VA. "Gov. Timothy M. Kaine toured the renovated,
environmentally friendly Virginia Association of Counties headquarters
Monday where he highlighted the benefits of green construction and
green roofs...Kaine signed a number of bills this
year that make it easier for VaCo’s members to encourage the replication
of this type of effort throughout Virginia..."
Pride of Reading nomination for RISC garden
Reading Post, by Laura Herbert
August 17, 2009
Reading, UK. "A garden above the streets of Reading is a
“haven of peace” as well as an example of good environmental practice
for us all. That's according to Paul Harper, of Star Road, Caversham,
who nominated the Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC)
roof garden for a Pride of Reading award...The roof
garden participates in National Garden Scheme weekends, raising
money for charity, and showing how we can use our gardens to minimise
waste through composting, use green roofs to insulate
buildings, harvest rainwater and reduce food miles..."
The coolest roofs in the world
OregonLive.com, by Staff
August 16, 2009
Portland, OR. "Portland helped pioneer a growing movement
in green roofs, but the city must look to Chicago,
Toronto and Tokyo for more inspiration...Portland boasts 165
green roofs, and counting. And Liptan, a landscape architect
for the city's Bureau of Environmental Services, has become a nationally
known expert in vegetative roofs. And every year, scores of Portland
homeowners and builders now seek grants from the city to develop
more green roofs..."
Spear some freshness
Bangkok Post, by Prisna Boonsinsukh
August 16, 2009
Bangkok, Thailand. "In Europe and America, living roofs
are not just a trend. In some places, such as Germany, Switzerland
and Austria, they are required by law on suitable roofs, and the
reasons are multifold...On green roofs, the soil mixture
and vegetation act as insulation, reducing heating and cooling cost
in the buildings below them by as much as 20%. In the rain
living roofs work the way meadows do, absorbing water,
filtering it, even storing some of it for later use, thus helping
to reduce sewer overflows, and flooding in cities..."
Building green
Montgomery Advertiser, by Cosby Woodruff
August 16, 2009
Montgomery, AL. "Realtors' association using eco-friendly
construction methods for office. The Alabama Association of Realtors
decided to go with a green roof, literally, for the
group's new building...Builders will plant a special meadow type
of grass on the roof to absorb heat and rainwater runoff. It will
help keep those inside the building cool and will give people in
taller buildings around the Realtors' office a more natural view..."
Roof gardens sprouting up in Will County
The Herald News, by Cindy Wojdyla Cain
August 16, 2009
Frankfort, ILL. "Those aren't weeds, she tells them. They're
native prairie plants sprouting from Will County's second
green roof...Green roofs are good for the
environment in general, said Eastman, who has degrees in botany
and environmental biology and is superintendent of natural resources
at Hidden Oaks. "The plants are up here cleaning the air because
that's what plants do," she said..."
New York's getting new green space, so why can't we?
National Post, by Vanessa Farquharson
August 15, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "Les Klein, founding principal at Quadrangle
Architects, recently proposed building a sustainable green
roof on top of the highway, complete with cycling paths,
walkways, gardens and concession stands...This is where the
green roof bylaw would make the most sense to be enforced
— it would not only reduce the heat-island effect in these areas
but actually give the workers a place to go besides the little green
strips between parking lots..."
Feds OK $101M green grant funds for Ill.
Chicago Business, by Paul Merrion
August 14, 2009
Chicago, IL. "An Illinois proposal that would use federal
stimulus money to jump-start manufacturing of wind turbine components
and create other green energy businesses was approved by the Energy
Department Friday....The program also will fund development of
green roofs and recycling centers as well as increased
use of recycled materials in manufacturing..."
Manchester moots green roof statute
PlanningResource, by Mark Wilding
August 14, 2009
Manchester, UK. "Green roofs could be required
for all new large buildings under proposals being considered in
Manchester. Drivers Jonas and EDAW AECOM have been asked by Manchester
City Council and the Commission for the New Economy to look into
a city-wide green roof drive...It is believed that
if this policy is adopted it will be the first of its kind in the
UK..."
USDA Supports Community Gardens, Grows Vegetables
EP Magazine, by Staff
August 14, 2009
U.S. "Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Aug. 6 encouraged
Americans to connect with the land, the food it grows and their
local communities by proclaiming Aug. 23-29 National Community Gardening
Week...USDA plans to reduce stormwater runoff with rain gardens,
green roofs and bio-retention practices. USDA also
is reducing its impervious surfaces and enhancing the USDA's Farmers
Market..."
First ecologically friendly mcdonald's in Central America opens
in Santa Ana, Costa Rica
Tico Times, by Adam Williams
August 14, 2009
Santa Ana, Costa Rica. "The first ecologically friendly McDonald's
Restaurant in Central America opened last week in Lindora, Santa
Ana...From the exterior, the most distinguishing alteration to the
eco-friendly restaurant is the “green roof,” which
hosts a small garden of native grasses and a gavace plants sprouting
atop the roof...The “green roof” also is used to cool
the interior of the restaurant by using recycled panels to reflect
the sun's rays..."
Exclusive interview with Oasis of the Seas architects
USA Today, by Gene Sloan
August 14, 2009
U.S. "These guys have designed for Royal Caribbean for years,
initially creating theaters and becoming the guys Royal Caribbean
calls when the company has a, ahem, challenging problem or a wacky
idea... like an acre of grass (as on the
Celebrity Solstice and Equinox)...The
park will boast black olive trees, bamboo and ficus, a "living
wall," and many flowers, with a theme of a Caribbean sub-tropical..."
Innovative wind turbines to top new downtown Portland high-rise
OregonLive.com, by Abby Haight
August 13, 2009
Portland, OR. "Portland's distinctive skyline has a dramatic
addition...Its energy-saving systems include motion-controlled lights
and storm water capture that will process the water and return it
to the building. An eco-roof garden will top the 22
stories, which will include residential, retail and office space..."
Bill Clinton urges greener college campuses
Chicago Sun-Times, by Abdon M. Pallasch
August 13, 2009
Chicago, IL. "Former President Bill Clinton exhorted university
officials from around the country to do a better job leading the
way on making their campus buildings greener...If solar panels
or green roofs could be seen going up on campus roofs
around the country, other builders would follow suit and put people
back to work..."
From top to bottom, Butler will be a living environmental laboratory
Princeton University, by Kitta MacPherson
August 13, 2009
Princeton, NJ. "At the moment, the roof above Dormitory A
of the redeveloped Butler College complex is a "green" roof
only in the most technical sense of the phrase...In University-led
studies to be conducted over the next few years, faculty and students
from the Princeton Environmental Institute will learn just how much
energy can be conserved and stormwater runoff reduced by comparing
green features with conventional ones at the redeveloped Butler
College complex..."
New Princeton dorms sprout green roofs
The Times of Trenton, by Krystal Knap
August 13, 2009
Princeton, NJ. "The 'green' roofs are just
one of many environmentally friendly design features of the new
Butler that students will encounter when they start school next
month...The green roofs employed at Butler College
are covered with thin layers of living plants that provide many
environmental benefits, from cooling the roof surface, to helping
ease the urban heat-island effect, to creating wildlife habitat..."
LQ Management Builds On Green Commitment, Eyes First LEED Property
Hotel News Resource, by Glenn Hasek
August 13, 2009
Chicago, IL. "The Chicago hotel was built with energy efficiency
in mind, says Angelo Lombardi, chief operating officer for LQ Management
LLC. 'To help reduce its carbon footprint, it includes a 3,000-square-foot
green roof. It helps to conserve energy, reduces the
urban heat island effect, and helps to clean and retain rain water.
In May, as part of the green roof installation, almost
5,000 plants were planted. Most of the plants are Sedum varieties..."
Chehaw critters will get 'green' roof
WALB-TV, by Karen Cohilas
August 12, 2009
Albany, GA. "The Parks at Chehaw are getting an exciting
new exhibit, but before those new animals arrive, they're building
a state of the art 'green' roof to go over their heads...Because
there aren't many, if any, roofs like this in South Georgia, the
company building the structure,
Tremco, gave the park a 50%
discount..."
Preserve Clean Water: Put a Garden on Your Roof
Planet Green, by Josh Peterson
August 11, 2009
Los Angeles, CA. "Reduce runoff pollution by 35-70 percent
with a rooftop garden...A new study from the University
of Maryland has shown that these rooftop gardens can
reduce runoff by 30 to 75%. The plants filter the impurities out
of the water and release clean water back into the water cycle via
transpiration...Olyssa Starry, the graduate student behind this
study, believes that a city that implements a greenroof
policy can save 8 million gallons of water a year..."
It's Time Colleges Looked at Living Walls
Chronicle of Higher Education, by Xarissa Holdaway
August 11, 2009
D.C. "A recent study at the University of Michigan, designed
to examine the ways our brains respond to our surroundings, found
that we are profoundly influenced by the amount of greenery we see
on a daily basis...Green roofs are one example, and
are growing in popularity—not only because they provide a mental
break from the city, but also for their usefulness in purifying
the air...The next frontier is a little less common: green
walls..."
Green designs in Sammamish library could save up to 50 percent on
energy costs
Issaquah Reporter, by Jake Lynch
August 11, 2009
Issaquah, WA. "The new library currently being built next
to city hall in Sammamish is being constructed to cutting edge standards,
and will be the first library of its kind to adopt a number of energy
saving design features...The purpose of this green roof
is to filter rain water that falls on the roof and regulate
the water's flow into a system of filtration and retention tanks
underneath the site..."
Herzog + de Meuron's Gorgeous Green-Roofed Plaza de Espana
Inhabitat, by Bridgette Meinhold
August 10, 2009
Canary Islands. "This gorgeous plaza near the wharf of Santa
Cruz de Tenerife represents the connection between the nearby ocean
and the various ecosystems of the Canary islands. Around the basin,
many architectural landscape elements — including the two structures
with green roofs — represent the Islands' diverse
ecosystems and topography..."
Feeling hot, hot, hot!
Jamaica Gleaner, by Garth Rattray
August 10, 2009
Kingston, Jamaica. "Here in Jamaica, we have contributed
significantly to our own misery. Urbanisation, housing solutions
and transportation needs have largely been planned with scant regard
for the all-important deleterious environmental repercussions...Green
roofs - rooftop gardens - will help somewhat.
However, if we are to survive, we must plant anything everywhere
that we can (for cooling effect and carbon offset)..."
LCE sports centre claims to be the greenest in London
Building Design, by Ruth Bloomfield
August 10, 2009
London, England. "A sports centre by LCE Architects, hailed
as the most environmentally friendly in London, has opened today...The
£4.5 million Little Venice Sports Centre is built of sustainably-sourced
wood and has a sedum grass roof to insulate the building
and reduce the need for heating and air conditioning..."
Plan has town hall buzzing
Manchester Evening News, by John Scheerhout
August 10, 2009
Manchester, England. "A town hall could become a hive of
activity if plans are passed for a bee garden on the roof...It is
part of a drive to make the city - which already has one 'green
roof' in Piccadilly Gardens - the greenest in the country...More
green roofs will help Manchester adapt to the inevitable
effects of climate change by soaking up storm water, creating habitats
for insects and birds, and reducing air pollution..."
Plantings, not shingles, gaining favor as cover for houses
Columbus Dispatch, by Jill Laster
August 9, 2009
Columbus, OH. "Central Ohioans looking to add a garden to
their homes have a new option from builders: the roof....In central
Ohio, several companies are selling green roofs, including
LiveRoof,
GreenGrid and
Green Roof Blocks. No local homeowner
has installed a living roof yet, but they say they
have had an increase in callers both in central Ohio and nationwide..."
The Roof Is Alive at Bremerton Park's Picnic Shelter
Kitsap Sun, by Derek Sheppard
August 8, 2009
Bremerton, WA. "The 600-square-foot planted roof could be
a harbinger of a new philosophy of what city parks can be...The
green roof is designed to reduce rainwater runoff,
which can carry pollutants into Puget Sound, among other claimed
benefits...To learn more about green roofs, city officials
and green roof expert Patrick Carey of
Hadj Design will host a free one-hour
workshop just before the park’s opening on Friday..."
Books and veggies for everyone
Examiner.com, by Shelly Rothman
August 8, 2009
Madison, WI. "For thousands of years a simple practice has
been used by humanity to keep their dwellings cool in the summer
and warm in the winter. No electricity necessary. And we can do
it right here in Madison. It’s called a rooftop garden
and there is a proposal to put one atop our new, planning-stage
downtown public library..."
A Green Roof?
Examiner.com, by Brian Grover
August 7, 2009
Buffalo, NY. "The history of green roofs is
lengthy and in depth. Some research will tell us that green
roof technology stems as far back as Babylon when King Nebuchudnezzar
II, during the 7th century, offered the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
to his homesick wife...Greensulate LLC, a company based out of New
York City was my choice for an estimate. They have installed
green roofs on Long Island, New York City, Los Angeles
and San Francisco..."
Building Group can help 'green' your property
Gazette Chicago, by Julie Sammarco
August 7, 2009
Chicago, IL. "Becoming eco-friendly has grown more popular,
and that changed mindset combined with new eco products means more
ways than ever to make your building, organization, business, and
home 'greener'...Building owners can lower their heating costs through
various eco strategies. Stoller mentioned green roofs
as a “great alternative” that also may offer tax benefits and increase
a property’s value, but he said owners should talk to an..."
Green may be right colour for Gardiner
MetroNews.CA, by April Lindgren
August 7, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "It doesn’t happen often, but once in a
while an utterly captivating idea for urban reinvention comes along.
Toronto architect Les Klein’s proposal for a green roof
over a seven-kilometre stretch of the Gardiner Expressway is one
such idea...Klein’s green roof would be less disruptive
to traffic than tearing down the Gardiner, and even at $500 million
to $600 million, it would be significantly cheaper than burying
the road..."
Gardens in the sky: A green paradise, on the roof
Buffalo News, by Anne Neville
August 7, 2009
Buffalo, NY. "Today the roof on the one-story building is
a neat, green oasis, planted with an assortment of sturdy sedum,
some fine-textured grasses and even a few edibles, including chives
and strawberry plants in pots...The green roof slows
rain runoff, keeps storm water out of the sewer system, and filters
and purifies rain water..."
Landscape Architects Play Central Role in Green Design
Architectural Record, by Nadine M. Post
August 6, 2009
U.S. "Need to stop flooding or reduce stormwater runoff and
sewer overflows? Looking to ease demand on treatment plants and
avoid the cost of expansion?...If so, a landscape architect may
be in your future...From green roofs and green streets
to waterfronts and watersheds, from exurbs to “urbs,” landscape
architects are helping turn eyesores into eyefuls..."
DC is Giving Green to go Green
News Channel 8, by Staff
August 6, 2009
D.C. "The District is giving out more money to homeowners
and businesses who install a 'green' roof, which helps
reduce storm water runoff and keep pollution out of the Anacostia
River. Those who qualify could receive $5 per square foot - up to
$20,000 - to plant a green roof on top of their home
or business..."
Two women bring $250,000 rooftop garden to life atop CSU's Recreation
Center
Cleveland.com, by Tom Feran
August 6, 2009
Cleveland, OH. "About 20 volunteers joined them by 8 a.m.,
and a crane started hoisting the first of 15,000 plants to the roof
of the Rec Center, the final step in installing a 7,000-square-foot
rooftop garden, or "green roof." Designated
as a gift to CSU from their respective classes of 2009 and 2010
the rooftop garden an environmentally friendly $250,000
project..."
Greenbashing -- Greenwashing's More Evil Twin
Reuters, by Matthew Goldstein
August 5, 2009
World. "The new wave of anti-environmental action is more
devious, and potentially more destructive. I call it greenbashing...As
with all things in life there are no guarantees; however, it would
appear that the potential fire hazard of green roofs
is more than outweighed by the many positive benefits they provide..."
Manchester Could Make Green Roofs A Planning Essential
Green Building Press, by Staff
August 5, 2009
Manchester, England. "Manchester City Council has pledged
to do all it can to reduce carbon emissions across the city, and
as part of this drive the Council is promoting green roofs.
Now, in the latest attempt to maximise the vegetated area the City
Council has engaged Drivers Jones and Aecom to carry out a feasibility
study into making green roofs part of planning requirements..."
Cool and Contemporary Pittsburgh Architecture
Pop City, by Abby Mendelson
August 5, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "A new breed of local architects is livening
up the way Pittsburghers live – lofts and light and green, green
everywhere! Can contemporary, daring, idea-based architecture co-exist
with traditional neighbors?...Pittsburgh's first residential
green roof. "It's the experience of green," he says,
"that I'm interested in as an architect"..."
Greenroofs Can Save Cities Millions Of Gallons Of Water
Science Daily, by Staff
August 4, 2009
U.S. "Having a garden on your roof isn't just nice for a
garden party; it can make your city more environmentally friendly....But
the plants on greenroofs can absorb some of this water
– 'like a sponge being saturated,' says Olyssa Starry, a graduate
student at the University of Maryland at Baltimore County...By measuring
water flowing out of building downspouts, she found that the
greenroof retained from 30 to 75 percent of water from
storms, compared to a negligible amount retained by the building
with no greenroof..."
World's First LEED Platinum Data Center Opens in Germany
Inhabitat, by Danielle Rago
August 4, 2009
Frankfurt, Germany. "Citigroup’s new data center outwardly
showcases its green credentials through the extensive use of recycled
and locally sourced materials and alternating green facades - a
green wall on one side of the complex and a fenestrated
window panel on the other...The facility is topped off by a vegetated
green roof that actively keeps the building cooler
in the summer and warmer in the winter while absorbing rainwater..."
Green roof takes root at Eglinton West
Toronto Star, by Tess Kalinowski
August 4, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "Eglinton West was selected for the TTC's
first green roof because the station's leaky old lid
needed replacement. A green roof at Victoria Park
station, currently under renovation, will be about three times the
size of this one. Besides green roofs, solar
panels and cool roofs, which reflect the sun, are being
considered for the Dufferin station renovation and five new car
houses the TTC is planning for its Transit City streetcar lines..."
Upright gardens
Malaysia Star, by Tan Cheng Li
August 4, 2009
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. "Green walls and
roofs not only hide ugly concrete, they also cleanse
and cool city air. A growing number of buildings worldwide are sprouting
lush gardens not just on the ground or on roofs, but on walls...In
some of the more technologically advanced systems, the living wall
is integrated with filters or beneficial microbes that remove air
pollutants..."
Taking gardening to new heights
Palo Alto Online, by Susan Golovin
August 4, 2009
Palo Alto, CA. "Roof garden insulates, cuts down on energy
use. Melissa and Rian Jorgensen's green roof -- literally
a succulent garden growing out of a horticultural mixture spread
directly onto the surface...While a traditional roof lasts anywhere
from 15 to 50 years, a roof like the Jorgensens' can last anywhere
from 50 to 100 years, according to Nigel Dunnett and Noel Kingsbury,
authors of "Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls..."
Green roofs saving green
Fleet Owner, by Sean Kilcarr
August 3, 2009
U.S. "While installing a green roof may seem
like a small step, these upgrades save energy, filter and absorb
pollution, and store carbon...But it doesn’t seem so farfetched
when companies such as FedEx and quasi-government agencies like
the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) are betting big on “green roofs”
to help them defray the cost of facility operation..."
Former mayor Powers gets last laugh on rooftop gardens
The Spokesman Review, by Rebecca Nappi
August 2, 2009
Spokane, WA. "John Powers, former mayor of Spokane, lives
in a Seattle building with a rooftop garden so massive that residents
take walks in it...The irony is not lost on Powers, who served as
mayor from 2001 to 2003. He proposed a green roof
for Spokane’s City Hall in 2002, long before the concept was trendy.
He was mocked for the idea, and City Council opposition put a pitchfork
through it..."
Seattle hotel/condo's green roof offers respite for creatures great
and small
Seattle Times, by Valerie Easton
August 2, 2009
Seattle, WA. "On the fourth floor of downtown Seattle's new
Olive 8 hotel/condo the large green roof helps mitigate
heat and soaks up storm water while providing respite for humans
and habitat for the birds, bees and butterflies trying to find a
haven in the harsh environment of downtown...The designers used
two planting systems on the roofs at Olive 8. The largest expanse
is composed of
GreenGrid
trays holding nine types of sedum in varying colors for a patterned
effect. The mechanical pop-up is greened with a German system called
XeroFlor which is a pre-grown fibrous
mat that rolls out like sod..."
MEXICO: Green Therapy on the Rooftops
Inter Press Service, by Verónica Díaz Favela
August 1, 2009
Mexico City, Mexico. "In the last two years a Mexico City
hospital, kindergarten and municipal government office building
have experimented with plant-covered rooftops. Today,
workers and visitors are enjoying the benefits...That is why the
Secretariat (Ministry) of Health gave the Mexico City government
the green light to create green roofs for its 28 hospitals..."
Brookfield church considers installing a green roof
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, by Lisa Sink
August 1, 2009
Brookfield, WI. "Coffee and fellowship could move from the
church basement to the rooftop, under an expansion plan that might
make a Brookfield congregation the second church in the state to
install a green roof...Green roofs are
growing in popularity, with Milwaukee ranking in the top 10 cities
nationwide in such construction on various university, government
and..."
Extreme office makeover
Eden Prairie News, by Karla Wennerstrom
August 1, 2009
Eden Prairie, MN. "Eden Prairie dental offices have city’s
only green roof...City Building Inspections Manager
Kevin Schmieg said that the green roof on Terrey Pine
Court is the only one in Eden Prairie right now...They explored
the idea of a green roof and decided to include that
option. The roof includes sturdy sedum plants. They also hope to
incorporate solar panels into another part of the
roof in the future..."
Edward expansion efforts in Plainfield continue
Morris Daily Herald, by Staff
August 1, 2009
Plainfield, IL. "...The center features an eco-friendly
rooftop garden, which is also designed to assist in
treatment and healing. The garden will be visible and accessible
to patients in the medical oncology area on the second floor and
will feature a waterfall, a variety of trees and plants, a putting
green and a trellis overhang to provide shade. Construction and
landscaping of the rooftop garden is expected to be
complete in December..."
Green building nearing completion
Western News - by Staff
July 31, 2009
Ontario, Canada. "...Once complete, the $22-million, 45,000
square-foot building will house research on green technologies,
processes and materials and, at the same time, the building itself
will feature advanced environmentally sustainable construction technologies
and methodologies. One of the unique areas of the building to be
studied will be the green roof. For this building,
the roof has been covered with a series of flats that include seven
species of drought resistant sedum, a hardy garden plant preferred
over..."
Garden in the sky
Vancouver Courier, by Travis Dudfield
July 31, 2009
Vancouver, Canada. "As the clock ticks down on a 20-year
lease, caretakers of a rooftop garden above the
Vancouver Public Library's main branch ponder the greenspace's
future public access to rooftop garden a possibility...designed
by landscape architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, Order of Canada
recipient and wife of the late Peter Oberlander--would only be seen
from the windowed offices towering around the library for the next
two decades..."
New York City Rooftop Farm
NTDTV, by Staff
July 31, 2009
New York, NY. "While green roofs are nothing
new, the sheer scale of the farm in the heart of one of the world's
most congested cities is impressive...The biggest problem with designing
green roofs, Goode says, is convincing developers
they are a good idea. She says there is a misguided perception that
they can damage a building's roof. The reverse is true, she says.
Greenery can protect a roof membrane from the damaging effects of
the sun and cold weather..."
Homeless Teens to Create 'Skyscraper Garden' Above New York City
Treehugger, by Brian Merchant
July 30, 2009
New York, NY. "...at-risk teenagers staying in Covenant House,
a homeless shelter in New York City, have set about cultivating
green roofs on skyscrapers around the city...This
isn't some arts and crafts hour, either--building green roofs
is serious work with a serious environmental benefit. And with a
growing green job market..."
The new generation of outdoor rooms
Telegraph.co.uk, by Renée Green
July 30, 2009
London, England. "We’ve come a long way from teak-stained
potting sheds, pop-up conservatories and Scandinavian-style summerhouses...Hedley-Dent
opted for a sedum roof, which further helps it blend
into the landscape. 'I like that the overall look is that it's just
part of nature,'..."
London to plant 2m trees by 2025, says mayor's office
guardian.co.uk, by Staff
July 30, 2009
London, England. "...The mayor's environment plan is aiming
to increase tree cover across the capital by 5% – an extra 2m trees
– by 2025. The programme, Leading to a Greener London, also involves
plans for an increase in green space in inner London by 5%, including
green roofs and more trees in streets. A green
roof features waterproofing and drainage layers topped with
soil and plants..."
Nashville's green building code under review
The Tennessean, by Michael Cass
July 30, 2009
Nashville, TN. "Metro Nashville is considering a controversial
change to its requirements for energy efficiency and environmental
friendliness in city buildings, rules some have criticized for being
too expensive and restrictive...The original McCabe design included
a "green" roof — which uses plants and trees to enhance
air quality, lower temperatures and control storm-water runoff..."
Yoon to propose ‘green’ tax incentives for Hub
Boston.com, by Eric Moskowitz
July 29, 2009
Boston, MA. "The proposed one-time tax incentive would give
$5 per square foot to residents and business owners who install
“green roofs,’’ transforming traditional rooftops
with vegetation, soil, and membrane layers that help reduce storm
water runoff, control building heat in the summer, and improve air
quality, among other benefits..."
Bloomberg's fight for the green apple: PLANYC 2030 and white roofs
Mother Nature Network, by Brittany Hsu
July 28, 2009
New York, NY. "Challenge: Green the most populated state
in the United States that is home to some of the largest worldwide
commerce, finance, fashion and entertainment conglomerates. Who?
Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City...white roofs are similar
in terms of cooling urban environments and reducing energy consumption
but offer different advantages and disadvantages..."
New Bideford College topped out with sedum roof
North Devon Gazette & Advertiser, by Dave Tanner
July 28, 2009
Barnstaple, England. "...The college is being built to strict
sustainable guidelines and, as well as the sedum roof,
a number of other 'green' features are being incorporated into the
design such as rainwater harvesting and a biomass boiler to heat
the buildings..."
Falling Through the Climate Gap
In These Times, by Michelle Chen
July 27, 2009
U.S. "Known as a green roof, the miniature
meadow is designed to absorb stormwater, deflect heat and cool the
surrounding air. A fusion of economic development and environmental
protection, green roofs have cropped up across New
York and other cities around the country. Sustainable South Bronx,
a grassroots group leading the effort, aims to demonstrate how climate
justice works at the community level..."
EPA provides green for green
Naperville Sun, by Tim Waldorf
July 27, 2009
Chicago, IL. "Naperville School District 203 recently received
$333,978 grant from Illinois Environmental Protection Agency...According
to the district, the grant money will be used for the installation
of rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement, vegetated buffer
strips, green roofs and a detention basin vegetated
with native grasses..."
Look, up in the sky: green roofs
Baltimore Sun, by Meredith Cohn
July 27, 2009
Baltimore, MD. "...The 4,000-square-foot "green roof,"
a 4-inch deep collection of soil and succulent plants over a rubber
liner, has been serving many purposes since it was built in 2004...Despite
the upfront costs, the roofs are often cheaper for building owners
in the long run because the roofs have to be replaced far less frequently..."
New Report Just Published Roofing Materials in the US
Live-PR.com, by Robert Miller
July 25, 2009
U.S. "Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research
report related to the Building Material industry is available in
its catalogue...The terminology covers several roof types, including
cool roof coatings or paints which can be applied to existing roofs;
green roofs, which are more garden..."
Fair territory: Sports venues moving toward earth-friendly practices
Lawrence Journal World, by Brenna Hawley
July 25, 2009
Lawrence, KS. "Solar panels have been installed at a few
parks, including Boston’s Fenway Park and Jacobs Field in Cleveland.
A 15,000-square-foot green roof at Citi Field is expected
to retain cool air in the summer and heat in the winter...Kansas
University has implemented many green measures in its sports facilities
as well, notably with the green roof in its football
complex..."
Out of the orange and into the green for ex-cons
Philadelphia Inquirer, by Tom Clark
July 25, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "Three ex-convicts will receive on-the-job
training as they work to convert several roofs on Market Street
near 41st into "green roofs" as part of an effort
to train ex-convicts for "green-collar" jobs...Green roofs
are covered with various plants, which help reduce energy costs
by absorbing hot sun rays..."
Haydon Bridge school becomes green giant in £1m coup
Hexham Courant, by Robert Gibson
July 24, 2009
Hexham, England. "The truth is, when it comes to climate
change, many of us have barely moved a muscle – in contrast to the
students at Haydon Bridge, who are set to make a genuine difference...A
sedum roof over one classroom will prevent the need
for drainage systems, while water flowing from the other roof will
be used on allotment gardens..."
New Hannaford Supermarket is First to Achieve LEED-Platinum Green
Rating
Reuters, by Staff
July 23, 2009
Augusta, ME. "From its roof sown with plants to the depths
of its two geothermal wells, a new Hannaford supermarket has been
declared the greenest of the green groceries in the United States...A
green roof covering 7,000 square feet also will help
manage runoff and help insulate the store..."
Tour shows future of Addison Gallery
Andover Townsman, by Neil Fater
July 23, 2009
Andover, MA. " The museum will also be better able to educate
local students, provide art on demand for scholars and serve as
a test case for other environmentally friendly buildings...A 2,536-square-foot
portion of the roof of the Addison's addition will be covered with
low-growing greenery that will retain rain water..."
Green roofs sprouting up in Colorado
Rocky Mountain Independent, by Joe Hanel
July 23, 2009
Denver, CO. "The green roof movement in Denver is starting
small, and it’s not just green — it’s red, orange, yellow and purple,
too. Rainy cities such as Portland and Chicago have embraced
green roofs with gusto. Building owners there have learned
that a layer of soil and plants can keep heating and cooling costs
low. Plus, every downtown resident benefits from cleaner air and
cooler summer temperatures..."
US Postal Service Opens First Green Roof
The Journal of Commerce Online, by Thomas L. Gallagher
July 22, 2009
New York, NY. "The US Postal Service this week dedicated
its first and New York City's largest green roof atop
the Morgan mail processing facility...The roof of the Morgan facility
in midtown Manhattan was constructed in 1933 to serve as an additional
mail processing location, supporting 200 pounds per square foot.
That made it an ideal candidate for conversion when it came time
to replace the old roof because it could support the weight of the
soil, vegetation and other requirements of a green roof..."
Rooftop garden helps with heating, drainage
Western News, by Heather Travis
July 22, 2009
London, Canada. "The roof of the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde
Pavilion is taking on a greenish hue these days as flats of garden
plants are assembled to help the so-called Green building live up
to its name. This week, workers installed the live roof
on the east side of the building. Other areas of the roof will have
a wind turbine and a number of solar panels to generate
electricity..."
Mtech's Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program Announces 17 Collaborative
Research Projects
redOrbit, by Staff
July 22, 2009
College Park, MD. "The Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute's
(Mtech) Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program (MIPS), a University
of Maryland initiative, today announces 17 high-tech research projects
between Maryland companies and university faculty to develop commercial
products...Perryville-based
Stancills Inc. and Andrew Ristvey,
regional extension specialist, Steven Cohan, professor, and John
Lea-Cox, associate professor, University of Maryland, College Park
($191,000): developing a low-carbon footprint planting media for
green or vegetated roofs, which mitigate storm water
runoff, reduce the urban heat island effect, doubles the roof life,
and increases green space for public use, among other benefits..."
Blackdown eco roof chosen for Maundown
BuildingTalk, by Staff
July 22, 2009
Somerset, England. "Green roof specialists
Blackdown Horticultural Consultants of Somerset, have been chosen
by Wessex Water to install an extensive green roof
to one of the largest waterworks in the UK...Blackdown Horticultural
Consultants specialise in the supply and installation of Extensive
Green Roofs, bringing more than 40 years of plant
knowledge and experience to the construction industry..."
A peak a PECO's green roof in the sky
Philadelphia Weekly Press, by Raymond Simon
July 21, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "PECO installed the green roof
earlier this year. Among other benefits, it mitigates storm water
runoff, moderates building temperatures year-round, and, yes, also
provides a habitat for wildlife...Charlie Miller, founder of
Roofscapes, Inc., consulted with
PECO to devise a practical, affordable green roof.
He believes more people will adopt green roofs when
they see how simple and efficient they are..."
PNC Plans Largest Green Living™ Wall In North America
PR Web, Press Release
July 21, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "PNC plans to create an environmentally friendly
living wall at its Pittsburgh headquarters. The 2,380
sq. ft., soil-based Green Living™ Wall on the south-facing
exterior of One PNC Plaza will be the largest in North America...City
sidewalks are cooler and quieter thanks to shade and sound absorption
by green walls and urban planting..."
New green roof done on subway station
National Post, by Allison Hames
July 21, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "...But drivers crawling south on the Allen
Expressway will have an inkling that something a little fresher
than asphalt has taken root on the Toronto Transit Commission subway
station. The National Post’s Allison Hanes spoke to Terry McGlade,
president of
Gardens in the Sky about the
genesis of the city’s latest green roof..."
Red ink erases green roof projects
Lancaster Newspapers, by Tom Knapp
July 20, 2009
Lancaster, PA. "Businesses and organizations struggling
to stay in the black during tough economic times are less likely
to spend money to go green. That, according to Mary Gattis-Schell,
senior environmental planner with the Lancaster County Planning
Commission, is why the county's green-roof initiative
has been slow to get off the ground..."
County home sprouts “green” roof
Lebanon Daily News, by Steve Snyder
July 19, 2009
Lebanon, PA. "What is believed to be the first green
— in every sense of the word — roof in Lebanon County
was planted last week at the home of a North Cornwall family that
embraces alternative energy...The green roof will
take root over a white, welded roof; Kelly noted that temperatures
on reflective white roofs can be 70 degrees lower than on traditional
black roofs, which absorb heat..."
Idaho Green Expo continues Sunday at Boise Centre
IdahoStatesman.com, by Anna Webb
July 19, 2009
Boise, ID. "Architecture we want now: The
Tournesol VGM Modular Greenwall
Planting System at FarWest Garden Center, Boise. Plants grown vertically
in stacked modules made of recycled material. Think: instant wall
of succulents..."
Museum warehouse green haven for relics
Arizona Republic, by Robert Breunig
July 19, 2009
Phoenix, AZ. "...We anticipate it will receive the Platinum
LEED-certified rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, which
is the highest available rating...The living roof,
planted in native vegetation, insulates and cools the building while
greatly reducing storm-water runoff..."
Green with envy
Worcester Telegram, by Lisa D. Welsh
July 19, 2009
Worcester, MA. "Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s East Hall
— an environmentally conscious residence hall — has been awarded
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification
from the U.S. Green Building Council, a national organization that
certifies buildings are green and sustainable, and protect the environment...East
Hall, which features the city of Worcester’s first “living
green” roof, is WPI’s second building to achieve LEED certification..."
Green in the City: Rooftop Gardens
WebEcoist, by Gerri L. Elder
July 18, 2009
World. "The demand for rooftop gardens is growing,
and these lovely cultivated patches in the sky are becoming more
common. Any roof can become a rooftop garden, as long
as the structure can support the weight...Rooftop gardens
give a view of nature, improve air quality, provide roof insulation,
delay storm water runoff and increase natural habitat spaces for
birds..."
Rainwater rules cast cloud over development
RichmondBizSense, by Al Harris
July 17, 2009
Richmond, VA. "...Waugh said several new approved practices,
such as green roofs and using recycled rainwater,
will offer developers less costly alternatives if implemented. Also
in some cases developers can use off-site methods to meet water
quality objectives...Mike Perry, president of Virginia Beach-based
Building Logics, a firm that
installs green roofs, said the new regulations will
be a boon to his business..."
Urban Weather Stations, Bee Conservation and Green Roofs
Reuters Blogs, by Stuart Gaffin
July 16, 2009
U.S. "...the realization that green roofs are
ideal new locations for urban weather stations (as opposed to traditional
asphalt roofs with their extreme temperature biases)...If the number
of such green roof weather station locations grow,
this will improve data on true micro-climate variations within cities..."
K-State Professors Test Native Plants As Roofing Alternative
Kansas City infoZine, by Staff
July 16, 2009
Kansas City, MO. "R. Todd Gabbard, assistant professor of
architecture, and Lee Skabelund, an assistant professor of landscape
architecture, have installed an experimental green roof
-- or living roof -- over a third-floor breezeway
in Seaton Hall's west wing...Skabelund said that this is the first
such living roof in the Flint Hills since settlers
left behind the sod house. Larger variations on this theme have..."
Sustainable businesses buck the trend
Baltic Times, by Ashley Brettell
July 16, 2009
Riga, Latvia. "...Nordic Houses also provides the option
of environmental green roofs. Also known as “living
roofs,” green roofs serve several purposes
for a building, such as absorbing rainwater, providing insulation,
creating a habitat for for wildlife, and helping to lower urban
air temperatures. They also help the building completely melt into
a rural landscape..."
Indianapolis qualifies for $8M for energy efficiency
WTHR.com, by Staff
July 15, 2009
Indianapolis, IN. "Indianapolis is eligible to receive $8,032,300
over the next two years as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Block Grant (EECBG) program funded by the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act...installation of green roofs and
solar panels at Indy Parks facilities are among the
eight areas submitted to the DOE for funding consideration through
the EECBG program..."
CO Architects' Green-Green Design Takes Shape
Architecture Innovations, by Staff
July 15, 2009
San Diego, CA. "...Regarded as perhaps the greenest and most
advanced hospital ever designed, Palomar Medical Center West is
foremost a garden hospital, infused extensively by natural light
and plantings—including a 2.5-acre green roof and
public terrace, placed atop the surgical wing..."
Walbridge receives Silver LEED certification for its Detroit headquarters
Crain's Detroit Business, by Jay Greene
July 15, 2009
Detroit. MI. "...Walbridge’s building is the first Silver
LEED certified building in the city of Detroit. Last year, Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Michigan was awarded LEED certification for
its green roof project downtown atop a parking deck..."
A Sustainable New Orleans Slowly Rises in Katrina's Wake
New York Times, by Katie Howell
July 15, 2009
New Orleans, LA. "The stimulus cash will be split between
transportation and building projects. There will be $1.1 million
to help five libraries that the city is building achieve LEED certification
with green roofs, solar panels or other
energy-efficiency features..."
Gardens can help cool the house
Examiner.com, by Jane Gates
July 15, 2009
U.S. "...Two eco-friendly forms of gardening that are becoming
popular are the green roof and the vertical
garden. Both are forms of gardening that can cool the house
or other structures. Green roofs can be grown on patio
roofs or other structures and expand your gardening area onto surfaces
that normally just collect heat..."
Reflective roof paint repels the heat
Los Angeles Times, by Tiffany Hsu
July 15, 2009
Los Angeles, CA. "Entrepreneurs are developing a host
of new products using metal, ceramic tile, reflective paints and
coatings and even rooftop gardens to beat the heat...The
reflective component is most effective in sun-saturated regions
like the Southwest. And it could lead to higher heating bills in
the winter because the sun's warmth can't permeate the roof..."
French pavilion to house historic art at Shanghai Expo
China Daily, by Wang Zhenghua
July 15, 2009
Shanghai, China. "..The pavilion, dubbed 'the Sensual City',
will showcase not only artwork but the sights, smells, and sounds
of France, said Franck Serrano, director of the French Pavilion.
A latticed structure forms the facade of the 6,000 sqm building,
which will have a roof garden and a large pond built
underneath..."
300,000 SF Proposals Pending for 700 Sixth
GlobeSt. com, by Erika Morphy
July 14, 2009
D.C. "...As one of the first Platinum designed buildings
in the city--and one of the largest green roofs--700
Sixth’s green credentials are playing a large role in the attention
the building is drawing..."
Hotel Indigo Opens First LEED Certified Property in San Diego
HotelsMag.com, by Staff
July 14, 2009
San Diego, CA. "Eco-savvy property boasts first green
roof in San Diego, meditation deck and herb garden...Another
first for the brand and the city, Hotel Indigo San Diego is topped
with a green roof on the ninth and 12th floors. The green
roof, which is covered with drought-tolerant plants, will
reduce energy consumption by cutting the need..."
Building a Bigger, Greener Bunker
Data Center Knowledge, by Rich Miller
July 14, 2009
Kent, UK. "...While security is typically the key attraction
for data bunkers, the company says the design for The Bunker 2 will
emphasize energy efficiency and aims to achieve a high BREEAM rating
- short for BRE Environmental Assessment Method, the UK equivalent
of the LEED standard for green buildings in the U.S. The building
will use a low modular design with facilities cut into the surrounding
landscape and featuring grass roofs..."
The Rise of Green Roofs
GreenLivingOnline.com, by Julianna Cummins
July 14, 2009
Canada. "Why green roofs are making sense to
cities and citizens across Canada...While some still may label
green roofs as a novel concept, they are springing
up across the country on some of our most iconic buildings, including
the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver and its sister Royal York location
in Toronto..."
New green agricultural centre for Harrogate
Green Building Press, by Staff
July 14, 2009
Wales, UK. "Located on a former Brownfield site, the new
Regional Agricultural Centre on the Great Yorkshire Showground,
Harrogate, has been designed with the needs of the local community
in mind...Every aspect of the building works in synergy: the structure
of the building has been created from timber and the sedum
roof utilises a Herdwick wool carpet..."
Green Bundle of Energy
The Daily Score, by Roger Valdez
July 14, 2009
Portland, OR. "Portland joins Vancouver in code changes that
encourage urban renewables...Among many other nifty urban clean
energy ideas like solar panels and green roofs,
the Bundle would 'allow small-scale wind energy systems to exceed
Zoning Code height limits, either as stand-alone towers or when
incorporated into building architecture'..."
49ers reveal details of Santa Clara stadium plan
San Jose Mercury News, by Mike Swift
July 14, 2009
San Jose, CA. "The 49ers haven't decided whether the proposed
new stadium in Santa Clara will have grass on the field, but they
know for sure it will have plants on the roof...The
structure would be topped by solar panels and a plant-covered
living roof, similar to the new California Academy of
Sciences in San Francisco, to help cool the tower..."
Watch a
video on FoxReno.com
Fire safety concerns raised for green roofs
Daily Commercial News, by Peter Kenter
July 13, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "In the case of insurance, however, the
details are far from settled. Last year, Swiss insurance giant Zurich
expressed concern that green roofs might dry out and
become flammable...From what source does the Toronto Green Roof
Construction Standard (TGRCS) derive its fire safety considerations?..."
Huckabee interns tackle sustainable design
Fort Worth Business Press, by Aleshia Howe
July 13, 2009
Fort Worth, TX. “Not many high school students can say they
spent a portion of their summer fashioning grass product to a specially
designed roof pitch for good water flow, but thanks to a local architecture
firm’s effort, six North Texas students can say just that...they
thought it was very cool and they had a lot of fun researching different
design elements – and they loved the grass roofs,
of course..."
Green governing: Eco-friendly City Hall project, while thin on details,
may serve as model
San Diego Union Tribune, by Jeanette Steele
July 12, 2009
San Diego, CA. "A new San Diego City Hall would not just
be a place to house public employees – it could be a beacon for
how ecology and economic development can interact...Drawings show
wind turbines spinning atop the 23-story building with turfed
green roofs..."
Using green roof technology to mitigate D.C. heat island effect
Examiner.com, by Trisha Grant
July 11, 2009
D.C. "Other than increasing D.C.’s tree canopy, another method
to mitigate the heat island effect is to construct green roofs,
or a vegetative layer on the roof of a building. Also known as “rooftop
gardens” or “eco-roofs”, attributes include
increased vegetated cover, building temperature regulation (resulting
in energy savings for heating and cooling costs as well as need
for insulation); enhanced rooftop durability and less maintenance
needs; reduced stormwater runoff; water filtration and restoration
of natural habitats, among others..."
The hanging gardens of tower blocks: a low-carbon European vision
Times Online, by Ben Webster
July 10, 2009
London, UK. "Tower blocks of the future would have cascades
of allotments under a European plan to get city dwellers to grow
food to cut carbon dioxide emissions...The idea of living
walls and vertical allotments is very old, going back to
the Hanging Gardens of Babylon..."
Rooftop garden is first of its kind in nation
ABC7Chicago.com, by Hosea Sanders
July 10, 2009
Chicago, IL. "Chicago is one step closer to becoming the
world's greenest city. It now can boast the nation's first certified
organic garden on a roof. The gardeners are making
a statement as much about local food production as they are about
urban agriculture and pesticide-free foods..."
A SALAD FROM THE ROOF!
The Kingston Whig-Standard, by Staff
July 9, 2009
Kingston, Canada. "So why the sudden interest in green
roof technology in Canada? In one sentence; green
roofs reduce the heat escaping thru the roof which reduces
the level of energy needed for heating and cooling the building.
The vast majority of urban buildings can benefit from shading the
roof; this translates into considerable energy savings..."
Blooming great time at heritage site roof garden
Hamilton Advertiser news, by George Topp
July 9, 2009
Scotland, UK. "Making the most of the longest day of the
year, the Roof Garden at New Lanark was open for visitors on Midsummer's
Eve. With the garden in summer bloom and dry weather, the amazing
sky-high roof garden was enjoyed by all who attended
the event which was run in partnership with Scotland’s Gardens Scheme..."
Bon Jovi Backs New Homeless Shelter for Center City
KYW1060.com, by John McDevitt
July 8, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "...Rock legend and homeless advocate Jon
Bon Jovi is participating in a venture to build an eight-story facility
to provide affordable single-unit housing...The new building will
be environmentally friendly, including a "green" roof,
highly insulated walls, and a rainwater collection system..."
Is climate change on Malaysia's agenda?
CSR Asia, by Jacqui Dixon
July 8, 2009
Malaysia. "...To tackle the heat island effect, the rating
encourages greening of buildings through landscaping and open spaces.
Green roofs can contribute to 20-50 percent energy
savings in a buildings energy use. The rating also encourages things
like rain water harvesting..."
Convent Hill has rooftop gardens - and great downtown views
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, by Georgia Pabst
July 7, 2009
Milwaukee, WI. "The development includes five separate
green roofs totaling nearly 12000 square feet, including
a 1400-square-foot decorative, green terrace roof that's landscaped
with flowering perennials, such as day lilies, spirea, phlox and
grasses..."
Golf course building topped with grasses, wildflowers
The Spokesman Review, by Becky Kramer
July 7, 2009
Worley, ID. "When the wind blows at Circling Raven Golf Course,
it rustles through prairie grasses growing on the roof of the Stensgar
Pavilion...Green roofs are an old-new idea, with roots
dating to the era of sod homes. Common in Scandinavian countries,
they're catching on in North America as city..."
Bee colony, discovered in Braddock and removed by Burgh Bees now
pollinates Pittsburgh zoo garden
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, by Rick Wills
July 7, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "...Placing the hive on a roof garden combines
the growing popularity of green roofs and the growing
awareness of the significance of honeybees and the threats they
face..."
Sprout it from the rooftops, green’s on the scene
BostonHerald.com, by Benjamin Bell
July 5, 2009
Boston, MA. "The traditional asphalt, slate and tar on Bay
State rooftops is beginning to give way to grass, arugula and artichokes
- a trend spurring a proposed 'green roof' state tax
credit..."
Green Scene: Green Roofs Sprout In Philly
CBS3, by Liz Keptner
July 3, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. "Our unseasonable rain has been a boon
for the city's newest green roofs...It's actually exciting to see
us taking what used to be tar and turning it into glorious green
roofs..."
How specialist contractors can succeed through tough times
Contract Journal, by James Stagg
July 3, 2009
London, England. "...It's a planning concession necessary
in London on flat roofs, and other cities are following suit. We've
installed some of the biggest green roofs in the country. We undertook
the City of Edinburgh council offices and Providence Wharf in London..."
Roofs may get green makeover
Lebanon Daily News, by Brad Rhen
July 2, 2009
Lebanon, PA. "...One of the greatest benefits a green roof
can provide is stormwater management, Harmon said. Depending on
rain intensity and soil depths, a green roof can absorb up to 60
percent of rainfall runoff..."
Going green on top
The Kerryman, by Staff
July 1, 2009
Kerry, Ireland. "...Simple sedum roofs can
be used on existing garages and sheds whether they are roofed with
corrugated iron or an asphalt/bitumen felt layer...For further information
look up: www.livingroofs.org.uk,
www.greenroofs.com,
www.english-nature.org.uk."
SPRI expands membership to include green roof and photovoltaic component
suppliers
Building Design & Construction, by Staff
July 1, 2009
New York, NY. "SPRI, the association representing sheet membrane
and component suppliers to the commercial roofing industry, recently
approved a bylaw revision expanding its membership to include companies
that represent Emerging Technologies...Photovoltaic and vegetative
roof component suppliers were two emerging technologies
identified as representative of this new category..."
Rooftop garden in Greenpoint is the stalk of the town
New York Daily News, by Jake Pearson
June 30, 2009
New York, NY. "Ben Flanner farms about fifty different types
of vegetables and plants such as turnips, mustard greens, and kale
at his rooftop garden in Greenpoint, Brooklyn...The
project first sprouted last fall when Flanner e-mailed Goode Green,
a local green roof design and installation company,
about starting a rooftop farm..."
Top 10 green U.S. cities
MNN.com, by Staff
June 29, 2009
U.S. "Although the EPA has not established official criteria
for ranking the greenness of a city, there are several key areas
to measure for effectiveness in carbon footprint reduction. These
include air and water quality, efficient recycling and management
of waste, percentage of LEED-certified buildings, acres of land
devoted to greenspace, use of renewable energy sources, and easy
access to products and services that make green lifestyle choices
(organic products, buying local, clean transportation methods) easy..."
Green walls: the growing success of 'vegitecture'
CNN.com, by Staff
June 29, 2009
U.S. "Walk past the southern face of the Musée du Quai Branly,
Paris, and you will be greeted by a massive wall of brilliant green
foliage -- an 8,600 square feet plant installation by the designer
Patrick Blanc, featuring more than 170 different species...The amazing
spectacle is one of the largest in a growing number of "plant walls'
or 'vertical gardens'..."
C.O.D. Goes ‘Green’ to Keep Up With Industry Demand
College of DuPage News, by Jennifer Duda
June 28, 2009
Glen Ellyn, IL. "...College of DuPage is preparing students
by offering a variety of green courses this fall...Green course
offerings include a review of green roof technology
and rain gardens, instruction on using sustainable materials in
interior design, and a review of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design certification process..."
A growing trend: Green roofs
Albany Times Union, by Brian Nearing
June 28, 2009
Albany, NY. "It is Karen McGowan's job to keep plants growing
inside malls, hotels and office buildings around the Capital Region.
Now, she's getting ready to start greening up the rooftops...Composed
of living plants and earth, green roofs are gradually
showing up in the United States..."
Something green sprouts up on Target Center roof
KARE11.com, by Jeffrey DeMars
June 28, 2009
Minneapolis, MN. "From a view above the Target Center in
Minneapolis, Mother Nature's canopy is all green and the roof of
the Target Center will be as well. It will soon become the largest
green roof space in Minnesota and the 2.5 acres will be
one of the 10 largest in the nation..."
Installation work begins on Minnesota's largest green roof
Building Design & Construction, by Staff
June 26, 2009
Minneapolis, MN. "Installation of the 2.5 acre green
roof vegetation on the City-owned Target Center begins today...The
green roof design team includes Leo A Daly,
Kestrel Design Group, and Inspec;
locally-operated Stock Roofing, a
Tecta America company, is replacing
all of the roofs on the Target Center and installing the extensive
green roof..."
New York City's High Line, a park built from industrial ruins
Green Right Now, by John DeFore
June 26, 2009
New York, NY. "...A new park built upon industrial ruins,
sustained by both citizens and government, and (to judge from its
opening week) enjoyed by all...Those planted areas, which are feathered
into and around concrete paths throughout the park, perform a valuable
role when it comes to rain. The High Line 'functions essentially
like the City’s largest green roof,'..."
First Community Bank Goes Green With New I-45/Beltway 8 Headquarters
Building
MarketWatch, Press Release
June 26, 2009
Houston, TX. "FC Holdings, Inc., parent company of First
Community Bank, N.A., broke ground today on a new 24,000 square
foot headquarters building...The roof of tomorrow, today 12,000
SF, 9" deep, Green roof to keep things cool..."
Putting stimulus funds to work on roof repairs
GovPro Media, by Michael Keating
June 25, 2009
Louisville, KY. "...city officials will use federal stimulus
funds to pay for a green roof on a new transit maintenance
and training hub facility. The transit hub project, valued at $5.5
million, will include the installation of solar panels..."
Small Biz in Brooklyn Going Green? Panel Explores Business Solutions
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, by Sarah Tobol
June 25, 2009
Brooklyn, NY. "Mankiewicz, as director of the Gaia Institute,
works with the relationship between humans and the environment,
developing soil for green roofs and increasing the
number of community gardens and trees in the city. While new green
technologies, such as green roofs and solar
panels, are pricey right now, he said, the horizon is good.
The technology is just getting there...the more we build, the better
off we are..."
Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center Opens
Chicago Press Release Services, Press Release
June 25, 2009
Chicago, IL. "...The 16,000 square-foot green roof
garden will be accessible to the public via a grand staircase and
features an overlook with interpretive panels educating visitors
about all aspects of rooftop gardens..."
IC Green Container Dwellings Sprout Up in California
Inhabitat, by Haily Zaki
June 25, 2009
Los Angeles, CA. "...All models come with water conservation
measures such as rainwater collection systems, grey-water systems,
green roofs, and dual flush toilets. Materials used
include FSC certified wood products, VOC free paint, and metal products
with high recycled content..."
Bobo Hosts Green Roof Fundraiser, We Win Tequila
Village Voice, by Chantal Martineau
June 25, 2009
New York, NY. "...The event's aim was to raise money for
neighbor PS 41's green roof project, which has become
a pet cause for owner Carlos Suarez...The GELL project is a 20,000-square-foot
learning lab planned for the roof of PS 41, where kids can conduct
experiments and grow fresh produce...."
Lofty 'green' renovation for Sears Tower, adds hotel
Chicago Sun-Times, by David Roeder
June 25, 2009
Chicago, IL. "...Sears Tower is "going green" while keeping
its attire of basic black. The tower's owners are planning a rooftop-to-plaza
renovation to conserve energy and power up its financial performance...initiatives
such as green roofs and advanced lighting controls
will trim energy usage..."
For rooftop gardens, the sky's the limit
Times Herald-Record, by Adam Bosch
June 25, 2009
Kingston, NY. "...The media center will soon be home to Ulster
County's first commercial rooftop garden, replete
with vegetables, shrubs and benches where workers from the various
businesses inside can chill out with their laptops..."
New JPL Building Goes Green for the Gold
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, by Staff
June 24, 2009
Pasadena, CA. "...A green, living roof will
keep the building cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The
green roof will also help minimize storm water runoff
into the Arroyo Seco, a dry riverbed near JPL...Improved wall insulation,
efficient chillers and boilers, window shading devices and the green
roof will greatly reduce energy needs..."
Conroe looks to 'go green' atop City Hall
Montgomery County Courier, by Howard Roden
June 23, 2009
Houston, TX. "Conroe may end up with a green roof
on its City Hall, but it has nothing to do with paint. Instead,
city officials have plans to install an eco-friendly park on top
of the building’s first-floor wing. The project, fueled by a $538,000
grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, would generate energy
savings, as well as prove a potential revenue source for the city..."
Rooftop Gardeners Harvest Hefty Tax Breaks
HULIQ News, by Staff
June 23, 2009
Hickory, NC. "The skyline of Manhattan may one day resemble
the hanging gardens of Babylon. New York City is among a growing
number of states offering tax credits and other incentives for
rooftop gardens...The so-called “Green Roof”
movement is gaining momentum around the country as more lawmakers
are enlightened about the energy-saving..."
A Canadian First for Sustainable Community Design
Environmental News Network, Press Release
June 22, 2009
World. "From an industrial beginning to a greener future,
one Vancouver inner-city area is being transformed ...Conservation
strategies are also applied for water efficiency including
green roofs, low-flow shower heads and faucets, and rainwater
recycling..."
Streicker Bridge begins to rise amid summer construction
Princeton University, by Eric Quiñones
June 22, 2009
Princeton, NJ. "...Final interior finishes and landscaping
will occupy crews this summer heading into the fall opening of the
newly reconstructed residential college. Green roofs
have been planted on 50 percent of the college's buildings. The
renovation of Butler College is the final phase of the University's
transition..."
Portland Tries a CAP-and-Prosper Plan for Climate Change
Huffington Post, by Diane Dulken
June 22, 2009
Portland, OR. "...Portland's new plan for shifting to a low-carbon
future calls for more trees, bicycles and streetcars; vibrant, walkable
neighborhoods; community gardens, farmers markets and green
rooftops...Urban forest, green roofs and swales
help cover the community, reducing the urban heat island effect,
sequestering carbon, providing wildlife habitat..."
Newport couple's green thumbs reach the roof
Cincinnati.com, by Beth Burwinkel
June 22, 2009
Newport, KY. "Jeff Salisbury and his wife, Christine Plepys,
have a bed of sedum on their
garage roof, as well as colorful beds lining both sides of their
Newport backyard...The couple's green roof is featured
in the 2009 Greenroofs of
the World calendar, by
www.greenroofs.com.
The rooftop sedum is called a green..."
New Asda Store Emits Half the Carbon of Typical Stores
Environmental Leader, by Staff
June 22, 2009
UK. "...a sedum roof over the store's warehouse
area provides habitat for wildlife, on top of improved insulation
and water retention. The external landscaping includes locally sourced
trees and plants that require minimal..."
Walk in the park? Tokyo residents head skywards
Reuters, by Toshi Maeda
June 22, 2009
Tokyo, Japan. "...In an attempt to add a little greenery
to the concrete, many city roofs have been converted into gardens...Rooftop
planting has been on the rise since the city government,
eight years ago, made it mandatory for new commercial buildings
to cover at least 20 percent of available space with greenery..."
TCU grads turn to native grasses for business
Fort Worth Business Press, by Staff
June 22, 2009
Fort Worth, TX. "...We thought about how we could structure
green roofs to work like the glades do, and basically
have a thick mulch on top that would help hold water in the soil,
because that’s the problem is all the soils get baked really dry..."
Insurance building sets green example
New Zealand Herald, by Anne Gibson
June 21, 2009
Auckland, New Zealand. "...Green features include lifts in
the curved block that generate electricity on the descent, feeding
power back into the building's supply, and a roof-top garden
with space to seat large groups on the top level...Vines have been
planted which will rise up vertical wires to eventually create green
living walls between floors..."
Shanghai govt promoting green roofs to fight climate change
Channel News Asia, by Glenda Chong
June 20, 2009
Shanghai, China. "Gardens are sprouting up on rooftops across
Shanghai, as part of an effort to fight climate change...The government
started promoting green roofs at the end of 2003,
encouraging government departments, hospitals and schools to convert
their rooftops..."
Bethany Blues goes green
Cape Gazette, by Ron MacArthur
June 19, 2009
Lewes, DE. "...Restaurant owners began installing a
green roof over a large portion of the restaurant...It
is estimated that green roofs will last up to twice
as long as conventional roofs, resulting in decreased maintenance
and savings in replacement costs..."
T.O. takes going green plan through the roof
Metro Canda, by Jon Tattrie
June 18, 2009
Edmonton, Canada. “Putting a garden on your roof is a great
way to make better use of city space, protect the environment and
save money in the long term...There are extensive green roofs, which
are six inches or less, and intensive green roofs,
which are more than six inches and are often called 'roof
gardens'..."
In Singapore they do buildings different
TheFifthEstate, by Tina Perinotto
June 17, 2009
Singapore. "...The end user experiences panoramic views fore
grounded by sky gardens and greenery, bringing the
indoor-outdoor potential of living in the tropics into the sky,
and bring this to a sector of the community who cannot afford landed
housing..."
Living Museum showcases green building design and materials in 'Living
Green House'
Daily Press, by Mark St. John Erickson
June 17, 2009
Newport News, VA. "Outside, the Living Green House boasts
numerous innovative features, too, including a "living roof"
composed of 3 to 4 inches of soil planted with...Protected by the
plants and soil from direct exposure to destructive sunlight, such
roofs have lasted 50 years..."
Green Wall Plan for Welwyn Garden City shop
Times 24, by Staff
June 17, 2009
England, UK. "An innovative 'living green wall'
is set to be planted as part of the Sainsbury's redevelopment. It
will consist of individually planted panels visible from Wigmores
South and Church Road. They will contain different species of plants
to add texture and depth..."
Top Ten East Coast Eco Materials
Ecolect Blog, by Corine
June 16, 2009
Ithaca, NY. "Mother
Plants is a woman-owned nursery in upstate New York
is dedicated to growing plants for green roofs. They
specialize in shallow rooted, drought tolerant species that typically
thrive in an extensive green roof climate. Green
roofs provide a variety of environmental and energy efficiency
benefits to the owner and occupants as well as to the public..."
BAM's Green Rooftop Aviary for Migrating Birds
Inhabitat, by Jorge Chapa
June 16, 2009
US. "Ballistic Architecture Machine (BAM) believes it’s time
to go above and beyond when designing green rooftops.
Exceeding the typical environmental and economical benefits of
green roof systems, BAM’s green rooftop
design supports a functioning biotope for migrating birds. This
rooftop aviary will give our feathered friends a bird’s eye view
of Manhattan..."
Developers blue over green roofs
Globe and Mail, by Terrence Belford
June 16, 2009
Canada. "When Toronto's city council passed a bylaw May 27
mandating green roofs on new commercial, industrial,
institutional and high-rise residential construction, its proponents
hailed it as a major step toward preserving the environment... The
development industry, however, warns that the laws of unanticipated
consequences..."
Silicon Valley meets Notre Dame in design shaping up for new 49ers
stadium
San Jose Mercury News, by Mike Swift
June 16, 2009
San Jose, CA. "...There would be a half-acre of solar panels,
a "green roof" made of living plants, and office space
for a Silicon Valley company that wants a high-visibility address...The
structure would be topped by solar panels and a plant-covered
living roof, similar to the new California Academy of Sciences..."
Garden in the sky
Malaysia Star, by Staff
June 16, 2009
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. "Some 35m above the ground, a garden
is blooming literally and figuratively. This garden is on top of
the new wing of the 1-Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya. Occupying
nearly 2,787sqm., the garden is planted with some 500 species of
rare tropical and temperate plants, possibly making it the largest
rooftop garden in South-East Asia, in terms of variety
and number of plants..."
Soak It Up
The Post-Standard, by Staff
June 16, 2009
Syracuse, NY. "Onondaga County wants you to learn 'green'
ways to reduce sewage overflows...Rain gardens - sunken patches
of native wildflowers, rushes, ferns, shrubs or small trees that
collect and soak up water. Roof gardens - rooftop
plantings to absorb water before it even flows off building gutters.
Porous sidewalks, built of..."
Highbridge school will go as green as possible
New York Daily News, by Tanyanika Samuels
June 16, 2009
New York, NY. "Now that a new middle school will be coming
to Highbridge, community leaders want to make sure it'll not only
be 'green,' but 'platinum green.'...Being that we have very limited
parkland in our area, having a green roof usable for
activities and that can be incorporated into the curriculum is..."
Valuing buildings' green features is a challenge
Daily Journal of Commerce, by Tyler Graf
June 15, 2009
Portland, OR. "Appraisers are not yet educated in benefits
of sustainability, experts say...The problem is that most appraisers
know little about sustainable features – such as eco-roofs,
recycled materials and high-efficiency energy systems..."
Design on a dime
NJBIZ, by João-Pierre Ruth
June 15, 2009
New Brunswick, NJ. "...developers are reluctant to pony up
money for a green building, especially in the current economy...
Vegetative roofs, for example, are much more expensive
than traditional roofs, but offer long-term benefits. In such a
design, the roof is covered with grasses, low plants and flowers.
Cities concerned with storm-water management are looking at
green roofs as a means to slow the flow of rain down
to the streets..."
White Rooftops May Help Slow Warming
Washington Post, by David A. Fahrenthold
June 14, 2009
U.S. "Energy Secretary Pitches Low-Tech Idea to Reflect Solar
Energy Back Into Space...Making roofs white "changes the reflectivity
- of the Earth, so the sunlight comes in, it's reflected back into
space," Chu said. 'This is something very simple that we can do
immediately..."
Green Roofs on Chicago’s Red Line
AIArchitect, by Layla Bellows
June 12, 2009
Chicago, IL. "If you think a trip on the El can’t be a pastoral
experience, think again...In Chicago’s 48th Ward, an effort to create
50,000 square feet of green roofs is about more than
stormwater management. Improving the environment, public health,
and the perception of uses of roofs themselves are all on the list
of goals..."
Tacoma building so green it needs to be mowed
TheNewsTribune.com, by C.R. Roberts
June 12, 2009
Tacoma, WA. "Workers install a green roof Wednesday
on Pacific Plaza in downtown Tacoma. Recycled material called Tagro
was blown and raked into place. The City of Tacoma’s Park Plaza
South is undergoing a rebuilding, with floors of office space added
on top...So green is Pacific Plaza that it likely will serve as
a standard by which other buildings are measured..."
Green roofs, rain barrels, other changes can keep rain water out
Central New York sewers
The Post-Standard, by Charles McChesney
June 12, 2009
Syracuse, NY. "Green roofs, porous pavement,
rain barrels, rain gardens and urban orchards could all help reduce
the amount of water that rushes into the drains and sewers of Central
New York during a storm, according to an environmental expert..."
Wichita City Council to consider $2.7 million green roof for Rounds
and Porter building
Wichita Business Journal, by Daniel McCoy
June 12, 2009
Wichita, KS. "The Wichita City Council will consider next
week a loan through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
to help fund a $2.7 million vegetated roof...When
complete, the entire surface of the 60,000-square-foot Rounds and
Porter building roof would be covered with plants..."
New housing guide for London
The Move Channel, by Catherine Deshayes
June 12, 2009
London, UK. "...six key aspects, which include minimum design
standards and levels of quality recommended...Climate change mitigation
and response - inline with Code for Sustainable home requirements
and with emphasis on mitigating the urban heat island effect, which
London and all cities suffer, through living roofs and walls..."
Eco Architecture Taiwan's Center for Disease Control designed with
a landscaped roof
Green Cleaning Ideas, by Staff
June 12, 2009
Taiwan. "In a bid to green the skyline of Taiwan, Studio
Shift has designed a modern complex for Taiwan’s Center for Disease
Control, which apart from possessing a landscaped roof,
comprises of passive and active solar technologies that lowers the
carbon footprint of the architecture..."
Green Roofs are Changing Architecture and Planning
treehugger.com, by Lloyd Alter
June 11, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "This used to be the vision of the future
of green roofs: Conventional architecture with a green
lid. It is turning out very differently, as green roof
technology changes the role of the architect, the way they design
buildings..."
DC Government Pays for Your Green Roof
City Renewed, by Brandon Fuller
June 11, 2009
DC. "A green roof is a great use of the space
on top of your building...Qualifying property owners can receive
a $5 per square foot grant from the District Department of the Environment,
up to $20,000. The project must cover at least 50% of the building’s
roof and be 4,000 square feet or less..."
Hammersmith gets community garden in the sky
Community Newswire, by Staff
June 11, 2009
UK. "...But now, the roof garden offers a gentle
idyll, which is such a contrast to everything nearby.' The Hammersmith
Lyric garden is one of 46 green community facilities supported by
Groundwork London and Marks & Spencer's Greener Living Spaces programme..."
University pledges fewer carbon emissions
The GW Hatchet, by Emily Cahn
June 11, 2009
DC. "After being labeled one of the least eco-friendly college
campuses in the nation last fall by the Sierra Club...So far, Chapple-Brown
said the University has built a green roof on the
1957 E Street building and is planning on building two more
green roofs on campus..."
Sky Garden Aims High With Water Recycling
MatterNetwork.com, by Andrea Nocito
June 11, 2009
Philipines. "A shopping complex in the Philippines is planning
a little water conservation amidst all the fun. The Sky Garden in
Quezon City is a mall complete with a roof garden,
a sky dome, a river, waterfalls, and of course, stores and restaurants...."
Ipswich Watershed Gets $1M Worth of Stormwater Retention Projects
Environment News Service, by Staff
June 11, 2009
Boston, MA. "...The project is one of a series of nine low-impact
development and green infrastructure installations that demonstrate
techniques that promise to improve water quality and stream flow
in the Ipswich River watershed...The vegetated roof
absorbs and retains rainwater, reducing erosion and keeping
pollutants from entering the river..."
Urban gardens go up the wall
OregonLive.com, by Ruth Mullen
June 11, 2009
Portland, OR. "Living walls are taking root in Portland...And
unlike green roofs, which are rarely seen and enjoyed
by the public, these living walls can create instant
color and impact. They can also help lower building temperatures
in summer and help prevent heat loss in winter..."
A Woods Hole home, guided by green
Boston Globe, by Jaci Conry
June 11, 2009
Woods Hole, MA. "When Nicole Goldman first encountered her
current home here, the yard was so overgrown she could hardly see
it from the street...A deck off the room provides terrain for her
latest eco-friendly project, a green roof garden planted
with succulents sedum, dianthus, and creeping thyme..."
Target Center green roof workers to strike
Minneapolis Star Tribune, by Abby Simons
June 11, 2009
Minneapolis, MN. "Workers on the Target Center's new
green roof are expected to strike this morning over their
right to unionize after a clash regarding safe working conditions
and pay...Stock representatives have countered that the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration has visited the site and deemed
it safe, and that roofers and landscapers are paid per their jobs..."
Tube Lines makes 'going green' a rooftop priority
Railnews, by Staff
June 9, 2009
London, UK. "Maintenance and upgrade partner Tube Lines has
furthered its 'Go Green' initiative with installation of a 'living
roof' on London Underground's new Northern Line control
centre in north London...The Sarnafil Sarna Vert living roof was
key to minimising the environmental impact of the building..."
GRA Inc. supports UQ research into new Brisbane roof plants
Green Roofs Australia Blog, by Geoff Wilson
June 9, 2009
Australia. "Green Roofs Australia Inc (Queensland) is strongly
supporting the University of Queensland in its proposed research
into new native plant cultivars for Brisbane’s future green
roofs and green walls..."
Somerville leads the way with new green affordable housing at St.
Polycarp
Somerville Journal, by Auditi Guha
June 9, 2009
Somerville, MA. "A green roof, triple-paned
windows that block out highway noise and the creative revitalization
of an underused lot made Somerville’s newest affordable housing
project a poster child for the state...city's first affordable
green roof that was built by
Apex Green Roofs and a group
of students from an engineering class at the Prospect Hill Academy..."
Seattle Green Building - Harvesting Rain at Columbia City Green
GreenDwellingSeattle.com Blog, by M. Muhsam
June 9, 2009
Seattle, WA. "...Green builders have taken a hard look at
different ways to reduce the amount of water we send to storm water
systems and are utilizing the benefits of approaches such as
green roofs, rainwater harvesting, and rain gardens...These
green roofs are going to work in conjunction with
Rainwater Harvesting which will be achieved by the installation..."
Meeting of the Minds: Elite Leaders Meet to Rethink Cities
Daily Green, by Jim Motavalli
June 8, 2009
World. "Working toward a sustainable future with urban planning
and new urbanism... Welcome to the "Meeting of the Minds 2009,"
a Manhattan conference (the third annual) that aims to take a fresh
look at cities. It's sponsored by Toyota, the World Bank, Zipcar,
Siemens and a bunch more...Some 80,000 houses are getting
green roofs. How do the Europeans manage it? Their cities
are for the most part..."
Wichita council wrestles with taking stimulus money
Kansas.com, by Brent D. Wistrom
June 8, 2009
Wichita, KS. "...Council members agree that the city should
be more energy-efficient. But they clash over whether...The city
also proposes to spend: - $3.6 million to put a 'green roof'
on the Rounds and Porter Building... Council members said
several projects, such as the green roof and educational
programs, appear to be higher priorities than the LED lights..."
Canada a leader in greening the concrete jungle
CTV.ca, by Andy Johnson
June 7, 2009
Scarborough, Canada. "...Canada is quietly emerging as a
leader in the green roof movement...In B.C., the
Vancouver Convention Centre has
the largest green roof in Canada. Not far away, the city's
flagship library is planted
with ground cover and fescues that bring life to the roof in a design
intended to evoke the path of the Fraser River..."
Things are looking up for yards
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, by Kathleen Gallagher
June 6, 2009
Milwaukee, WI. "Popular 'green' roofs include
plants, patios...The City of Milwaukee and Caruso used the
GreenGrid
roof system of trays that was developed by ABC Supply Co. in Beloit
and is made and marketed by Weston Solutions, Westchester, PA..."
Up on the Roof
New York Times, by Francis X. Clines
June 6, 2009
New York, NY. "...Students tend instruments measuring insulation,
water conservation and other virtues of green roofs,
which Mr. Gaffin says far outlast normal roofs...The city lags far
behind Europe in green-roof savvy, but Mr. Gaffin
is as patient as his succulents..."
M&S Says Sustainability 'Plan A' Cash Positive
Environmental Leader, by Staff
June 5, 2009
World. "...cost savings made on climate change and waste
initiatives have already made it cash positive...The factory uses
around 40% less water and power than a standard comparable garment
factory. It also features a grass roof as well as
solar light pipes."
Durie's rooftop garden 'a green oasis'
The Age, by Denise Gadd
June 5, 2009
Melbourne, Australia. "It's World Environment Day, a fitting
occasion to open a roof garden on an energy company's
building. For designer Jamie Durie it's also an auspicious occasion
to espouse the environmental benefits of rooftop gardens
to combat carbon emissions and buildings' heat intake, issues besetting
cities all over the world...
Rooftop gardens all about growth
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, by Kathleen Gallagher
June 5, 2009
Milwaukee, WI. "Urban agriculture has enormous potential.
A year ago, Erik Lindberg rented a boom lift with a bucket and hoisted
15 cubic yards of dirt to the roof of his north side remodeling
business. In the process, he planted himself firmly in the middle
of a growing urban agriculture movement..."
Growing a green roof at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Examiner.com, by Rose Field
June 5, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "The Green Building revolution is hot in
Pittsburgh; our suddenly trendy town is breaking away as a leader
in eco-friendly construction and frequently gardens are topping
it all off...Sue has chronicled the whole process of building, planting
and tending the green roof in photographs..."
Plan for London power station site scaled back
Irish Independent, by Staff
June 4, 2009
London, UK. "Treasury Holdings has made significant changes
to its plans for its €4.5bn redevelopment of the Battersea Power
Station...The scheme now envisages a green roof and
residential apartments topping off Giles Gilbert Scott's iconic
Grade II power station, with a series of..."
Mexico City's Plan to Use Green Roofs to Clean the Air
Clean air through green roofs, by Staff
June 4, 2009
Mexico. "Mexico City is planning improve not only air pollution,
but also green space, with a design by Jorge Hernandez de la Garza,
The design is for a modular building that allows for mixed-use space
to include green roofs and urban farms..."
Youth Project gets $100,000 for 'green' roof in Braddock
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, By Moriah Balingit
June 4, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "A $100,000 Heinz Endowment grant will enable
one of the Mon Valley's first "green" roof to be created
this summer at the Ohringer Building in Braddock. The community
not only hopes to get its first green roof, but it
also hopes to build the next generation of green developers..."
Green Up Top
Metromode, by Kelli B. Kavanaugh
June 4, 2009
Detroit, MI. "Like pretty much every other building component,
roofs are going green. If you're late to the game, a green
roof is one that is partially or completely covered with
vegetative matter...Do-it-yourselfers looking for a small start
should check out
Green Roof Blocks.
The company makes it easy to green even a portion of a roof with
a kit...
GreenGrid
Roofs is another option..."
RISC garden raising the roof
Wokingham Times, by Linda Fort
June 4, 2009
Wokingham, UK. "...The Reading International Solidarity Centre
(RISC) roof garden had been shortlisted in the new Ethical Garden
category of the Observer Ethical Awards...The University of Reading
also has a remote weather station on the roof which will measure
the benefits of green roofs in reducing the warming
of our towns and cities..."
London's Athenaeum hotel opens vertical garden
Jamble Magazine, by Staff
June 4, 2009
London, UK. "An eight story high vertical garden featuring
over 260 plant species has been unveiled...the plants are indigenous
to the UK, the plant species are specially chosen for their climate,
which is a key factor in keeping the green walls alive..."
$12.9 Million in new grants to aid Chesapeake Bay
Virginia Fishing News, by Staff
June 3, 2009
Richmond, VA. "The District of Columbia Department of the
Environment will use its $800,000 grant to install LID techniques
such as green roofs, vegetated swales...The Science
Museum of Virginia was awarded $700,000 to develop a low-impact
development demonstration and training area that will be the first
of its kind in central Virginia. The museum will install a
green roof, rain collection cistern, porous pavement
and other low-impact development...The Virginia Department of Conservation
and Recreation has received a $325,000 grant to engage the Harrisonburg
community in reducing polluted stormwater runoff to Blacks Run.
By the end of the three-year project, more than 200 rain barrels,
rain gardens, green roofs..."
Botanic Garden's Green Roof
PSLG Building Industry News, by Staff
June 3, 2009
U.K. "Ness Botanic Gardens on the Wirral has chosen an
Alumasc
ZinCo extensive green
roof system to create an environmentally friendly roof for
its visitor centre...it can accommodate all categories of Alumasc’s
ZinCo Green Roof from extensive, semi-intensive and intensive planting
schemes."
Tokyo 'Sea Forest' project
Straits Times, by Staff
June 3, 2009
Tokyo, Japan. "...As part of the green Games plan, Tokyo
Governor Shintaro Ishihara has also promised to add 1000 hectares
of green space over a decade, including parks, rooftop gardens
and trees planted beside railway tracks..."
InterContinental O'Hare Completes Expansion, Doubles Meeting Space
Business Wire, Press Release
June 2, 2009
Rosemont, IL. "...The cutting-edge development features the
region's only fully functional “green” roof, which
reduces heating and cooling costs while exemplifying the InterContinental’s
environmental stewardship...Two of the greatest achievements in
the construction of the Artists Wing are its fully functional
“green” roof and wind-powered electricity..."
Green Roofs Can Help Keep Your Summer Cool
About.com, by Larry West
June 2, 2009
U.S. "With the weather heating up and many of us trapped
in the city for most of the summer, the idea of finding a cool and
pleasant oasis among the mean streets sounds pretty appealing...Green
roofs are taking root in cities all over America—from Chicago
to Portland—where they are reducing air pollution, capturing carbon
dioxide..."
WPI's New 'Green' Residence Hall Named 'Project of the Year' by
Construction Association’s N.E. Chapter
WPI News, by Lorraine U. Martinelle
June 1, 2009
Worcester, MA. "Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) environmentally
conscious residence hall, East Hall, has won the Construction Management
Association of America (CMAA) New England Chapter’s 2009 Project
of the Year Award, winning in the "Building Construction Under $50
Million" category. The truly unique aspect of East Hall is its
green roof, which demonstrates the university's commitment
to sustainability..."
Google Australia's new HQ: a peek at the new Googleplex in Sydney
PC World Magazine, by Amanda Conroy
June 1, 2009
Sydney, Australia. "A peek at Google’s new Sydney office
reveals a great environment to relax, play, have fun, eat and collaborate
with your colleagues -- and you may get some work done too!...The
foyer features a lush green wall of plants — a fitting
reflection of the environmental features of the new building..."
Kalpataru Square has been recognised as Asia's first commercial
building to get Platinum certificate under USGBC
India PRwire, Press Release
June 1, 2009
Gurgaon, India. "Kalpataru Square, a prestigious commercial
complex developed by Kalpataru Limited, at Andheri, East, in Mumbai
has become the first project in Asia to earn the Leadership in Energy
and Environment Design (LEED). This is the highest ever green building
standard in the world from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)...A
roof garden is provided which covers over 50% of the
exposed roof surface, adding to the heat insulation provided by
over-deck insulation..."
Delta launches new luxury lounge
Atlanta Journal Constitution, by Shelley Emling
May 31, 2009
London, UK. "...Delta Air Lines and the Air France KLM group
unveiled the two-level minimalist styled lounge — its first ever
co-branded alliance lounge...Most striking is an indoor “living
wall” composed of more than 60 different species of plants,
a green mix woven together by French botanist Patrick Blanc..."
Shift to carbon-neutral design requires new mindset, architecture
professor says
Daily Commercial News, by Patricia Williams
May 30, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "The leap to “carbon-neutral” design requires
a shift in mindset on the part of design professionals...Planting
new trees can help compensate for the carbon released during transport
of essential materials while incorporating green roofs
and living walls can assist in carbon sequestration..."
Getting the Green Roof Right
Archweek, by Susan K. Weiler and Katrin Scholz-Barth
May 29, 2009
U.S. "Green roofs, whether intensive or extensive,
can provide a wealth of benefits on site and beyond. Delivering
these benefits successfully requires professional attention to a
variety of critical details...and time issues involved in the
green roof system must be brought to the attention of
the construction management entity."
Roof Gardens Slow to Grow in Arkansas
ArkansasBusiness.com, by Mark Friedman
May 29, 2009
Little Rock, AK. "Although the Arkansas Department of Environmental
Quality's headquarters received the Gold Leadership in Energy &
Environmental Design rating from the U.S. Green Building Council
in 2007, the six-story building could have been even greener...But
the ADEQ decided to scrap its plans for the rooftop garden..."
Garden Roofs Blossom in Chicago
ArkansasBusinesscom, by Mark Friedman
May 29, 2009
Little Rock, AK. "While rooftop gardens have been slow to
catch on in Arkansas, Chicago has seen them bloom... Chicago now
has more green roofs than any other city in the country...The
city also has awarded more than 50 grants of $5,000 to residents
and small-business owners to offset the costs of building a
green roof..."
National Guard Breaks Ground On “Green” Reserve Center
TriCities.com, by Heather Seay
May 29, 2009
Johnson City, TN. "...The new Armed Forces Reserve Center
will be a first for this area in that it is designed to meet the
LEED Silver rating...Innovations that contribute to the building's
LEED rating include a green (vegetated) roof, which incorporates
low-growing plants in moveable trays..."
Green-roof installers at Target Center raise safety, wage issues
Minneapolis Star Tribune, by Abby Simons
May 29, 2009
Minneapolis, MN. "...Workers installing a green roof
on Target Center say they're underpaid. The project's contractor
says that's not so...He defends paying them landscapers' wages,
saying a lot of green roof work is landscaping..."
Trinity Episcopal goes green with wing roof
Delaware County Daily Times, by Staff
May 29, 2009
Swarthmore, PA. "Trinity Episcopal Church will be installing
a green, vegetated roof over its Education Wing...the
church contracted with JIG Inc. of Philadelphia, a company authorized
to install
Roofscapes designs, to do the work..."
Of sustainable homes
Deccan Herald, by Bindu Gopal Rao
May 29, 2009
India. "Green projects Samskruti’s 100-acre residential township
is among several green home projects in Bangalore... among the main
features of this project are 100 per cent water sustainability,
50-60 per cent energy sustainability, hybrid electricity with green
power grid, waste reduction by 90 per cent, vegetable sustainability
through community garden and green roofs..."
A roof-full of flora
Economic Times, by Nirmita Mehrotra
May 29, 2009
India. "Modern cities are facing numerous ecological issues
due to high rate of urbanisation, vanishing green areas, and the
consequent effects of global warming...A rooftop garden
cuts the energy use within the building, especially for cooling.
Green roofs are not a new phenomenon. Though we have
limited examples to cite in India, it has been a standard construction
practice in many countries..."
WIU's multicultural center keeps it green
Macomb Daily Journal, by Erin McCarthy
May 28, 2009
Macomb, IL. "...Western Illinois University's Multicultural
Center is a LEED Silver construction...The green roof
reduces the heat-island effect and insulates the space below. It
is more durable than traditional roofing..."
Roofing industry key to meeting green targets, says NRC expert
Daily Commercial News, by Dan O'Reilly
May 28, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "...Not only do they reduce the urban heat
effect which can raise temperatures by as much as five per cent
compared to rural areas, green roofs promote a feeling of well being...Designing
and constructing green roofs, however, requires co-ordination
with trades and additional longtime responsibilities for the owner
or building manager..."
The World's Greenest Building?
Apartment Finance Today, by Jerry Ascierto
May 28, 2009
Independence, OR. "Riberio is working on a 57,000 square-foot,
mixed-use structure in Independence, Ore., that’s on track to win
the highest score of any LEED certified building with 64 out of
a possible 70 points...Additionally, enough rainwater will be stored
to supply all of the building's laundry, toilet, and irrigation
needs, even with a green roof and a 45-foot..."
Greening of the City gala aids Groundwork Somerville
Somerville Journal, by Staff
May 27, 2009
Somerville, MA. "...NPR's 'Living on Earth' program will
be honored with the Golden Trowel Award, and
Apex Green Roofs will receive
the Grown in Somerville award for its community work focusing on
green roofs..."
Council approves stringent green-roof rules
Globe and Mail, by Jennifer Lewington
May 27, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "Green roofs will be required
on new buildings in Toronto starting next year after city council
yesterday overwhelmingly adopted the most comprehensive rules of
any city in North America...Garden roofs, he added,
help conserve rainfall, reduce energy demand and add to the beauty
of the city..."
White house, white roofs: Obama's low-cost plan to cut electric
bills
WalletPop, by Bruce Watson
May 27, 2009
D.C. "...Rooftop planting, also known as green roofs,
offer a solution that is useful in both the winter and the summer.
In the winter, empty plant beds and dead organic material provide
insulation from the cold. In the summer, green roofs
reflect light into space, convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, and
evaporate water, producing a cooling effect..."
Breaking New Ground: Project FROG Embarks on First Energy-Neutral
Solution in New England
Business Wire, Press Release
May 27, 2009
Hartford, CT. "...The building will be the first of its kind
in New England, and marks the company’s first zero-net energy solution
built in a cold climate...With design features that include a
living roof, photovoltaic panels, and advanced
sensors, the Center will provide extraordinary teaching and learning..."
Singapore Marina Barrage wins top green infrastructure award
Nanyang100, by Staff
May 27, 2009
Singapore. "Singapore’s waterfront Marina Barrage wins Green
Platinum Award...Key green features at Marina Barrage include its
iconic Green Roof, a large rooftop garden which uses
one hundred percent recycled plastics and eco-friendly drainage
cells, and acts as natural heat insulation for the building..."
HOA's take case by case look at green building
Oak Hill Gazette, by T.Q. Jones
May 27, 2009
Austin, TX. "As energy costs escalate on every front, Americans
are finally beginning to think about alternatives, either in fuel
generation to replace what we are losing or lifestyle changes to
reduce the amount we need. It's possible both of those might force
changes in our neighborhoods, with battles being joined over installing
solar panels or wind generators, or replacing your
once-lush lawn with a cactus garden..."
Students Go to Drastic Measures to Plant "Green" Roof
Your4State.com, by Jeannie Flitner
May 26, 2009
Inwood, WV. "With the help of their science teacher, students
planted a "green" roof on top of their high school
building. The roof reduces run-off temperatures and is more eco-friendly.
It also reduces heating and cooling costs and consumption..."
Rooftop gardens sprout in Knoxville
WBIR-TV, by Beth Haynes
May 26, 2009
Knoxville, TN. "...By providing insulation, rooftop
gardens not only save money, they save the environment which
is a big reason they're sprouting in cities all over the country...The
goal is no watering, except for rain water. A rain barrel will collect
runoff and help water the garden during dry months..."
How Would We Green Our Public Housing?
Fast Company, by Cliff Kuang
May 26, 2009
U.S. "...On that same note, green roofs are
more than simply cool concepts: By shading the roof of a building,
they reduce electricity spent on cooling. What's more, they can
readily be deployed as retrofits to old buildings with roofs already..."
Growing green in the sky with rooftop gardens
SDNN, by Adam Ward
May 26, 2009
San Diego, CA. "...Green roofs are taking root
as a legitimate tool to repair damage to the environment. Several
San Diego businesses are hoping to help the green roof
movement grow...James Mumford, president of
Good Earth Plant Company, has more
than 40 plants in 1,600 square feet on the roof of his office..."
Lamron Estate gets green light for green Bucks scheme
Property Week News, by Jennifer Rigby
May 26, 2009
London, England. "Developer Lamron Estates and LaSalle Investment
Management have won planning permission for a new 100,000 sq ft
sustainable, speculative office scheme...The plans include a
grass roof and the developer is aiming for a BREEAM Excellent
rating as 20% of the energy used will be renewable..."
Ontario, Canada Invests in Greening its Office Space
Business Wire, Press Release
May 26, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "Ontario, Canada is investing approximately
$100 million in what is believed to be among the largest ever retrofits
in North America, creating 1,000 new jobs and 455,000 square feet
of state-of-the-art green office space...The building provides opportunities
for energy-efficient building design initiatives such as: Using
solar energy and constructing a green roof..."
New buildings
Architecture and Design, by Gemma Battenbough
May 26, 2009
Melbourne, Australia. "...BENT Architecture has snapped up
a $10000 prize for its green roof design for 131 Queen
St as part of the Growing Up green roof competition...Monitoring
equipment, a centralised roof water collection and irrigation system
and a micro-weather station will allow researchers from The University
of Melbourne to collect green roof performance data..."
English Nuns Go Green at Their New Convent: Solar Power, a Green
Roof, More...
treehugger.com, by Matthew McDermott
May 24, 2009
UK. "...Among the £4.7 million building's green features
are solar panels to provide hot water, a woodchip
boiler that will be fuelled by locally-sourced trees and a roof
covered in sedum grass to better insulate the buildings
and attract local wildlife..."
Metro Louisville's New Green Roof Starting To Grow
Broken Sidewalk, by Branden Klayko
May 22, 2009
Louisville, KY. "...Over 10,000 plants and four trees make
up the new green roof and the the project is already
experiencing success. One of the benefits of such a system is increased
natural habitat and we saw several birds already making the roof
home..."
Quantification of the microclimate modification properties of green
roofs in the Urban environment
PHD Physical Geography School of Environment and Development,
by Staff
May 22, 2009
Manchester, UK. "This CASE collaboration between the Geography
department at the University of Manchester and Manchester City Council's
Green City team will assess the environmental performance of
green roofs and will, more specifically, identify the
role green roofs can play in modifying the urban microclimate..."
Getting Portland off the grid, and onto the roof
PSU Daily Vanguard, by Alex Graham
May 22, 2009
Portland, OR. "...Photovoltaic panels, or
solar panels, are being combined with the plant-covered “eco-roof”
concept in an effort to understand how the two processes interact...The
project strives to study the possibility of combining solar
panels and green roofs, which have normally
been seen as incompatible with one another..."
You Can Do Whatever You Field
Torontoist, by Marc Lostracco
May 22, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "...Structures like the Metro Central YMCA
benefit even better from green roofs because their
footprint is squat and wide, which allows them to use less air conditioning,
minimize the "heat island" effect, and better mitigate stormwater
runoff..."
PoCo's green roof regulations make developer Beedie see red
Tri-CityNews.com, by Gary McKenna
May 21, 2009
Port Coquitlam, Canada. "The president of one of the largest
industrial developers in the province said he will avoid buying
land in Port Coquitlam unless the city makes changes to its
green roof regulations...Moore said it is important for
the city to find a balance between economic, social and environmental
standards when developments are put forward..."
Hanging gardens of Manchester boost nature
Manchester City Council, by Staff
May 21, 2009
Manchester, UK. "Green spaces are appearing above residents’
heads as roofs across the city are being transformed into havens
for wildlife thanks to a Manchester City Council campaign...The
City Council has helped set up five green roofs across Manchester
over the last nine months, and another three are planned across
the city..."
Island business focus on service instead of storefronts
Shelter Island Reporter, by Jo-Ann Robotti
May 21, 2009
Shelter Island, NY. "...businesses have opened that are capitalizing
on the interest in all things “green” and the desire of homeowners
to curtail energy costs. After spending her earlier career in environmental
science and research, Amy Norquist became involved
in the green building movement that ultimately led to starting her
company called Greensulate, a provider of green roofs
and walls...."
Urban islands: Heat Island effect is no vacation
Chico News & Review, by Lori Brown
May 21, 2009
Chico, CA. "...Heat islands occur when the sun heats exposed
urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, to temperatures between
50 and 90 degrees...When replacing or installing a new roof, how
about going with a live or green roof? Green
roofs significantly reduce heat-island effect and can help
lower a building’s energy cost for cooling..."
Chelsea goes green
CCTV.com, by Staff
May 21, 2009
London, UK. "Green issues - like water conservation
and urban vegetable gardens - have been one of the leading themes
at the most famous garden show in the world -- the Chelsea Flower
Show..."
Groundbreaking for NCKU Green Magic School
Business Wire, Press Release
May 21, 2009
Tainan, Taiwan. "...The building will have three levels above
ground and one level underground, housing an international conference
hall and demonstrating the green architectural technologies and
researches...the light-weight ceramsite made by mud clay dredged
from nearby reservoirs can be used for partition walls and ground
soils on rooftop garden..."
Citi's Green Data Centers Provide Environmental and Business Benefits
Wall Street & Technology, by Penny Crosman
May 20, 2009
New York, NY. "Citi has quietly stepped into a leadership
role in the "green" data center movement on Wall Street
over the past two years...The benefits of the living roof
don't stop there. According to Killey, Citi harvests water
from the roof, stores it and then uses it for site irrigation..."
US Green Roof Industry Grows By 35 Percent in 2008
PR Newswire, Press Release
May 20, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the green
roof industry association, is pleased to announce the results from
its Fourth Annual Industry Survey of Corporate Members that completed
green roof projects in 2008. The survey indicates
a U.S. growth rate of more than 35 percent over 2007, representing
more than 3.1 million square feet installed in 2008..."
Columbus Square: A New Upper West Side Residential Community
Earthtimes, Press Release
May 20, 2009
London, UK. "... The five buildings all incorporate energy-efficient
features and other components to promote healthy living including
the use of solar panels...The five buildings all incorporate
energy-efficient features and other components to promote healthy
living including the use of solar panels...drought
resistant sedum roof planting, and high efficiency
irrigation..."
Big green roof planned atop Weave Building
Daily Journal of Commerce, by Sam Bennett
May 20, 2009
Portland, OR. "Skylab Architecture worked closely with city
of Portland on design...We tried to create a very sustainable roofscape
design and integrate it in a way that users of the building would
interact with it...The rooftop will have 2,500 square feet of
planted areas..."
Going to Great Heights to Garden
Smith College Grécourt Gate, Press Release
May 20, 2009
Northampton, MA. "Two rooftop gardens on Smith
College’s Ford Hall will support research and relaxation as well
as benefit the environment...The installation, commonly referred
to as a “green” roof, is an environmentally sustainable
feature of the structure that is expected to significantly..."
Their new convention? Building green
Mail Tribune, by Greg Stiles
May 20, 2009
Medford, OR. "...A model of the “E-co” houses that are planned
for a 2.5-acre site near the northeast corner of Kings Highway in
Medford shows exterior “green walls” of foliage that
will block summer heat from entering windows..."
Meeting focuses on energy conservation
Roanoke Times, by Jenny Kincaid Boone
May 20, 2009
Roanoke, VA. "A gathering in Roanoke included business owners
and public officials...There's a shift this year. Wilhelm estimates
that there are 12 to 14 green roofs going up on houses
and buildings in the Roanoke and New River valleys...."
No gardeners in Garden City
WildSingapore News, by Staff
May 20, 2009
Singapore. "Love of greenery does not come naturally to Singaporeans,
but landscaper is hopeful of a change in attitudes... As more developers
plunge into green roofs, Singapore's landscapers could
be motivated to research and develop new green roof
technology..."
Grass roof for hi-tech flats
Gazette, by Staff
May 19, 2009
Essex, UK. "A plan has been put forward to build a
grass-roofed block of hi-tech “cutting-edge” eco-flats...The
three-storey brick building would have a flat grass roof,
with angled solar panels to convert sunlight into
energy for the flats..."
New Jacobsen unit mows while at sea
Athletic Turf, by Staff
May 19, 2009
Charlotte, NC. "...Celebrity
Cruise Lines specification for a mower demanded that
the machine would produce minimal noise, so that it would not disturb
guests relaxing in the area. Their facilities management company,
Green Roof Services, then had to
source an appropriate mower and contacted The Turf Care Co (TTC),
Jacobsen’s distributor in Germany..."
City seeking public input on uses for energy efficiency and conservation
block grants
Southeast Indianapolis Communities, by SEOrganizer
May 19, 2009
Indianapolis, IN. "Energy audits and retrofits of buildings,
renewable energy projects and green roofs, are examples
of sustainability projects that could launch soon as a result of
federal stimulus dollars heading to Indianapolis, and the City's
Office of Sustainability is seeking public input to determine more
specifically how the funding should be prioritized..."
Green Roofs: Are They Worth the Expense?
New York Times, by Kate Galbraith
May 19, 2009
New York, NY. "...A key part of Mr. Daley’s vision involves
“green roofs” — the idea of putting plants, and even
a few trees, on top of buildings. Chicago already has more than
600 'green roofs',...New York has a few green
roofs, but it has not prioritized them in the way that Chicago
has (or Toronto, which is thinking of making green roofs
mandatory for some new buildings)..."
More city buildings cultivate savings by covering roofs with plants
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, by Sally Kalson
May 19, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "Perhaps the most interesting parts of some
Pittsburgh buildings are best seen from the roofs... the
Heinz 57 Center (formerly Gimbels),
which was featured in the
2009 Greenroofs of the World Calendar...Pittsburgh's
biggest cluster of green roofs is in Oakland: six
on the
Carnegie Mellon University
campus and..."
Thomas & Hutton wins waterSmart Landscape Challenge
Creative Coast Initiative, by Karen Gibson
May 18, 2009
Savannah, GA. "...The Square is uniquely positioned on top
of a parking deck, where it serves as a roof garden.
Senior Landscape Designer Dan Gay said the final design was born
out of the hope that Bryan Square would, "act as a model of the
waterSmart gardening principles for the public to follow..."
UD groups work to promote sustainable landscapes on campus
UD Daily, by Staff
May 18, 2009
Newark, DE. "...Another exciting project currently underway
on the UD campus is the installation of a green roof
on Colburn Laboratory, the chemical engineering building on central
campus. The installation of the green roof..."
Arup Associates design for Coventry University
Building Sustainable Design, by Will Jones
May 18, 2009
U.K. "Coventry University’s new faculty building by Arup
Associates is intended to make engineering sexy again...so Arup
Associates is providing a tree-lined avenue as a route for the tiny
creatures to fly along to the planted roof of the
south block, where a roost ..."
Vertical gardens: The height of fashion
London Evening Standard, by Rowan Moore
May 18, 2009
London, England. "...The architects DSDHA have created the
Paradise Park children's centre in Islington with a “green
wall” on its upper floor. There are plans to create a “green
arch” in Bankside where, ambitiously, plants will grow downwards
from the underside of a railway arch. Westfield shopping centre
boasts 'one of Britain's largest green walls'..."
Lay a grass roof to keep cool this summer... or falling that, plant
Nasturtiums!
University of Reading, by Staff
May 18, 2009
U.K. "Can plants keep our buildings cool during hot weather
and heat waves and help reduce energy consumption?...Planting a
dense grass roof is the best option for reducing building
temperatures, but growing the climbing annual Nasturtium will also
bring benefits..."
O’Loughlin students get new ideas about going green in Greensburg
The Hays Daily News, by Gayle Weber
May 17, 2009
Greensburg, KS. "...Skylights, a green roof
and a geo-thermal heat pump also provide the building with sustainability.
The city of Greensburg Sun Chips Business Incubator opened just
a few weeks ago and expanded on O'Loughlin students' idea of turning
off..."
Palomar West hospital tower takes shape; debut set in 2012
San Diego Union Tribune, by Pat Sherman
May 17, 2009
Escondido, CA. "...An undulating “green roof”
at the west end of the property will use native plants that will
help keep the operating rooms underneath it cool in the summer and
warm in the winter..."
Up On the (Living) Roof
Nicolette's Comfort & Joy Blog, by Nicolette Toussaint
May 15, 2009
San Francisco, CA. "...This week's post explores green
roofs – planted roofs that offer huge benefits by stemming
storm water runoff, cutting heating and air conditioning bills,
and reducing air and noise pollution. Green roofs
are fine places for birds..."
A Little Something Extra
Lancaster Farming, by Shakara Tyler
May 15, 2009
Ephrata, PA. "...The Penn State students worked with teachers
and dozens of their science students in constructing a “living
wall” in the academy's courtyard... The wall, positioned
against the side of the building, collects rainwater from the rooftop.
Clean water then filters from the bottom of the living wall..."
Plans for MCC facility touted as ‘innovative’
The Maui News, by Harry Eagar
May 14, 2009
Wailuku, HI. "...the Maui Planning Commission unanimously
and enthusiastically approved a special management area permit for
a new 34,000-square-foot, $26 million science building...It will
have solar photovoltaic panels and rooftop wind turbines,
a "green roof" and other features like skylights and
light wells..."
Modern OUTrial House Sheltered Beneath a Grassy Hill
Inhabitat, by Diane Pham
May 14, 2009
Poland. "...By essentially lifting the existing land and
placing it on the roof, the OUTrial house maintains a subtle presence
and pays service to the surrounding landscape...So while the visual
effect may be that of a house built into a grassy knoll, the 180
sqm house is really a free-standing box construction with a
grass roof..."
Manchester office block rated 'Excellent'
Green Building Press, by Staff
May 14, 2009
Wales, UK. "...It has one of the largest atriums in the city
and will be the first building in Manchester to have living
green walls as well as a green roof supporting
supporting biodiversity and local ecology..."
ASTM Committee reports progress from inaugural meetings
ThomasNet Industrial NewsRoom, Press Release
May 14, 2009
U.S. "... ASTM International Committee E60 discussed best
practices for sustainability...social and economic requirements
for a building that promotes sustainability; and new standards for
water stewardship and green roofs..."
PS 6 breaks ground on NYC public schools' first green roof
New York Daily News, by Rachel Monahan
May 14, 2009
New York, NY. "...Staff, students and Dutt's family celebrated
a bittersweet moment Tuesday as they officially broke ground for
New York City public schools' first green roof, officially
named the Eric Dutt Eco Center..."
Tulsa NINE Project Lofts Go LEED Platinum
inhabitat, by Alexandria Kain
May 14, 2009
Tulsa, OK. "...Local architect Shelby Navarro pulled out
every green design strategy in the book for this project from geothermal
heating to a bison-grass green roof and recycled glass
floors..."
Roofs Alive: Green Roofs are Good for the Environment
HobbyFarms.com, by Staff
May 13, 2009
Mission Viejo, CA. "Even hospitals are installing green
roofs these days; read more about it and learn a few benefits
of growing plants on rooftops...The main benefit of green
roofs, according to the Green Roof Research Program at Michigan
State University, is to help reduce storm water runoff..."
New Report: Green Buildings Could Save $500 Billion by 2030, Cut
Global Warming Pollution 30% by 2050
PennEnvironment, by Nathan Willcox
May 13, 2009
Philadelphia, PA. “Gov. Rendell, State & Local Leaders Pushing
Policies to Promote Green Buildings in PA...Just yesterday, I announced
that we would build the first publicly owned green roof
in Allegheny County. We're already home to the first LEED Gold..."
Bethel Installs Green Roof
Bethel University News, by Staff
May 13, 2009
St. Paul, MN. "The green roof on the new Brushaber
Commons was installed this week. The roof is one of only a handful
of its kind in the Twin Cities area and is covered with just under
4,000 square feet of sedum, a drought-resistant plant material...
Bethel used Bachmann’s Green Roof system, which was
installed by Mickman Brothers..."
Vilela Building by Joselevich Rascovski Adds Vertical Gardens to
Buenos Aires
treehugger.com, by Paula Alvarado
May 13, 2009
Argentina. "You probably know how much we love buildings
with green walls: they cool interiors in the summer,
help keep cities cooler by preventing the 'heat island' effect,
capture carbon dioxide, and even absorb noise, and invite natural
life..."
Village officials hear 'green' roof concept
Catskill Daily Mail, by Jim Planck
May 13, 2009
Catskill, NY. "Flat surfaces would be utilized for plant
growth...which would then help absorb rainwater, rather than have
it run off in uncontrolled volume, and potentially lead to erosion
and entrainment problems for surrounding land and surface waters..."
Vancouver vertical farm looks like a futuristic resort, but for
plants and animals
DVICE, by Kevin Hall
May 12, 2009
Vancouver, Canada. "What is this, a center for plants? Indeed
it is — it's a multi-tiered skyscraper that houses farming and livestock
spaces to grow food efficiently in an urban environment. The Harvest
Green Tower is a winning design..."
Cities Can Save the Earth
Foreign Policy In Focus, by Richard Register
May 12, 2009
The World. "...Taller buildings with rooftop gardens
and solar greenhouses can be linked by pedestrian
connections between rooftops and terraces above ground level, making
city centers intimately accessible to people on foot..."
Onorato Plans To Make Courthouse 'Greener'
KDKA, by Lynne Hayes-Freeland
May 12, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA. "The roof of the county office building on
Forbes Avenue is nothing extraordinary right now, but in a few months
- it will be transformed into a green roof - complete
with a plant garden...temperature controls become much more manageable
because the surface will be covered with water proof fabric first
- then planted...."
Got Roof Space? Think Sky Garden...
Celsias.com, by Staff
May 12, 2009
San Francisco, CA. "The concept of rooftop gardens
and urban farming is not new, but one San Francisco Bay Area company
is testing out a new urban agriculture plan to construct and operate
year-round, sustainable growing systems on supermarket rooftops...
Berkeley based,
Sky Vegetables is the brainchild
of Keith Agoada..."
Living roof study may save Ky. plants
Louisville Courier-Journal, by James Bruggers
May 12, 2009
Louisville, KY. "Imagine using the region's rooftops to help
save rare Kentucky plants that are being wiped out by development...Bernheim's
Forest's Living Roof project will test plants grown for "vegetated"
green roofs -- including a group of native Kentucky plants
linked to the thin..."
Low Carbon Zones – platitude or palliative?
Director of Finance online, by Peter Wognum
May 12, 2009
UK. "... I have outlined several innovative and significant
ways for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint that require
investment in the short term but that pay back in the medium and
long term – take the living roofs example just last
week..."
Roofing Technology Report: A collection of BD+C articles on roof
design and construction
Building Design & Construction, by Staff
May 11, 2009
US. "...Whether it's planting a green roof,
installing building-integrated photovoltaic systems, or applying
coatings or materials to reduce material heat emittance...As the
popularity of vegetated roofs grows in the U.S., Building
Teams are finding new methods for greening rooftops..."
School's green roof is sound investment
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, by Corinne Lestch
May 11, 2009
St. Louis, MO. "...Following a trend that appears to be gathering
momentum, the school in the Central West End is in the process of
"going green," and its new green roof is a major step
toward that goal...What began as an idea a year ago turned into
a reality as Kelly Luckett, president of
Green Roof Blocks
of Florissant, passed green
mesh bags of soil and compost to the volunteers on the 1,500-square-foot
roof with a forklift..."
The sustainably sensible 21st century rooftop
Fort Worth Business Press, by Daniel Woodroffe
May 11, 2009
Fort Worth, TX. "Long associated with providing shelter from
the elements, the rooftop is undergoing an extraordinary renaissance
in the 21st century...As green roof technology inevitably
becomes more sophisticated, the prevalence and capabilities of such
systems will undoubtedly increase in the short- and long-term future..."
Alumnus Shares Green Building Perspective with CBA Students
Fordham University, by Gina Vergel
May 11, 2009
New York, NY. "The deck surface of the green roof
will be covered by a layer of low-maintenance plantings, which help
to reduce city “heat island” effects, stormwater runoff, noise,
air conditioning costs and heat demand. Together with the low-flow
plumbing devices, the green roof will save more than
600,000 gallons of water annually..."
A Green Building, for Those Without Much of the Green Stuff to Spare
New York Times, by Susan Dominus
May 10, 2009
New York, NY. "...Two green roofs? A sculpture
garden? What, no indoor pool? Given the current citywide crunch
in affordable housing, given our assumptions about green goods as
status symbols, it’s worth wondering how the social and environmental
benefits of a green building are weighed against the additional
costs..."
San Diego: Eco-roofs will crown soon-to-debut Hotel Indigo
Los Angeles Times, by Susan Derby
May 10, 2009
San Diego, CA. "...Part of its environmentally focused design
features what will likely be downtown's first “eco-roofs.”
The ninth-floor terrace and 12th-floor rooftop will hold native
plants and shrubs that will help reduce heating and air-conditioning
as well as filter storm-water runoff..."
Green Roof Insurance and Warranties
Environmentalism.Suite101.com, by Sharon Russell
May 9, 2009
The World. "What You Should Know About Protecting Your Green
Roof Investment...Green roofs offer many economic and environmental
benefits to homeowners. But, before you install a green roof on
your home, take the time to verify and understand how you will be
covered if something goes wrong..."
Gardens in the sky
Singapore Real Estate, by Staff
May 9, 2009
Singapore. "Garden terraces on high-rise buildings are a
growing idea...Over at RiverGate, its sky gardens
are made up of a series of public and private gardens and balconies
which give the development a green and ecologically harmonious appearance
on Singapore's skyline..."
Green expo showcases area's best energy saving eco-friendly innovations
Somerville Journal, by Auditi Guha
May 8, 2009
Somerville, MA. "Green roofs, solar power
and handmade European city bikes were all part of a green expo organized
by the Somerville Chamber of Commerce...Apex
Green Roofs provided a mini model to demonstrate
how green renovations can help businesses and developers..."
County officials worry that new state stormwater policy will encourage
rural development
Charlottesville Tomorrow, by Daniel Naim
May 8, 2009
Charlottesville, VA. "...The Virginia Department of Conservation
and Recreation (DCR) has proposed a new set of stormwater management
guidelines that could have the unintended consequence of promoting
low-density rural development...a development can meet the standards
by incorporating something from a select list of Best Management
Practices, which includes green roofs, rainwater collection
devices, and permeable pavement..."
County dedicates new communications center
TMCnet, by Staff
May 8, 2009
Olathe, KS. "A new $21 million Johnson County emergency
communications center was dedicated this week in Olathe...The building
is highly insulated with an 11000-square-foot "vegetated green"
roof that will improve energy efficiency and absorb rain water..."
An invitation to outdoors
Kentucky.com, by Susan Smith-Durisek
May 9, 2009
Lexington, KY. "...a rain garden with water-holding
and purifying tupelo and bald cypress trees; water for flushing
toilets harvested from a rooftop gathering system and stored in
an underground cistern...The distinction between outside and inside
is softened by the use of timber-framed glass walls and arbor structures,
a roof planted with native grasses..."
Up on the roof: SFMOMA's ultra chic rooftop garden
Examiner.com, by George Calys
May 8, 2009
San Francisco, CA. "Ever since Nebuchadnezzar's big urban
redevelopment project (also known as the famous Hanging Gardens
of Babylon), rooftop gardens have been one of the
coolest features a building could have... when the public gets its
first glimpse of the new rooftop sculpture garden at San Francisco’s
Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)..."
Vegetated Roofs and Walls Do More than Please the Eye
GreenLivingIdeas.com, By Mary Eisenhart
May 8, 2009
U.S. "There's nothing more pleasing than driving through
an established neighborhood and taking in the architectural scenery
and the manicured lush landscape...Greening a home’s
walls improves its visual quality as well as its environmental
functioning..."
Study will look at combining solar panels, eco-roofs
Daily Journal of Commerce, by Staff
May 8, 2009
Portland, OR. "Researchers at Portland State University this
summer will begin a three-year study on the integration of
solar panels and eco-roofs on rooftops.
The researchers are working to determine if shading provided by
solar panels could benefit from the growth of green
roof vegetation..."
Green Roof
KUOW NPR, by Irene Noguchi
May 8, 2009
Seattle, WA. "...It's a green roof, and an
example of how Seattle developers continue to incorporate more sustainable
features in the designs of their buildings...There are other
green roofs in the city, but the Gates Foundation roof
is one of the largest in Seattle..."
Building Green: Keeping Up With it All
The Epoch Times, by Charlotte Cuthbertson
May 7, 2009
New York, NY. "Spending hours wading through piles of new
green laws and incentives could produce a hefty carbon footprint
in itself...Green roofs offer additional benefits
such as improved air quality, insulation for both improved energy
efficiency and noise reduction, and mitigation of the urban heat
island effect..."
'Walkie Talkie' Wins Approval in London
New York Times, by Kevin Brass
May 7, 2009
London, UK. "...The tower would be topped by a “sky
garden,” billed as the “highest accessible park in London.”
Mr. Viñoly's design attracted controversy from the start..."
Green roof proposal faces withering criticism
GlobeandMail.com, by Jeff Gray
May 7, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "The revised bylaw also lowers the minimum
square footage that would require a green roof (to
2,000 square metres from 5,000). It also makes green roofs
mandatory for residential buildings that are 20 metres high (six
storeys) or taller, down from a minimum of 23 metres as originally
proposed..."
Retailers mustn't cut back on being green: study
International Business Times, by Mark Potter
May 6, 2009
The World. "Retailers, seeking to cut costs in the economic
downturn, need to continue investing in environmental sustainability
if they want to retain customers, according to a report...The 70,000
square foot green roof is seen at the new Wal-Mart during the grand
opening in Chicago..."
Green prefab goes Lego
Mother Nature Network, by Matt Hickman
May 6, 2009
Oakland, CA. "...The legoSolaire, on display now at the Smart
Home exhibit, is an uncannily faithful facsimile of the original
structure right down to the green roof... To get kids
excited about the relationship between green building and the health
of our planet..."
Audubon Center: Made in the Glades
AudubonMagazine.org, by Frank Graham Jr.
May 7, 2009
New York, NY. “...On the roof is a kind of thermal blanket—a
garden of native plants, including cactus, sedum, Indian paintbrush,
and grasses (short varieties that won’t droop over the roof’s corners),
grown in six inches of enriched soil. The roof garden
insulates the building against extreme heat and cold,” Robyn says.
“And its benefits don't stop there. It absorbs a million gallons
of..."
Green roofs part Two
TheFifthEstate.com.au, by Liz Morgan
May 6, 2009
Australia. "...Do green roofs actually make
a difference? The short answer would appear to be yes; there are
proven stormwater management and energy saving benefits, not to
mention aesthetics. How much of a difference is contestable. The
most extensive modeling of the urban-scale benefits of green
roofs in the United States has been done in New York..."
Harvest Green's Vision of Vertical Urban Farming in Mixed-Use Buildings
Fast Company, by Ariel Schwartz
May 6, 2009
Vancouver, Canada. "Romses Architects' Harvest Green Project,
a winning entry in Vancouver's "The 2030 Challenge," explores urban
vertical farming in mixed-use buildings...A rainwater cistern on
top of the tower will provide irrigation for on-site crops and
roof gardens. In addition to farm and garden facilities..."
Benefits, Risks & Liabilities of Green Roofs
Consilience: The Blog, by Geoff White
May 5, 2009
U.S. "Green roofs have been a part of building
for over a thousand years. The current green building movement has,
however, had the greatest impact on the growth of the green
roofing industry...In order to mitigate liability, the stakeholders
in a project that features a green roof should clearly
detail their expectations and performance requirements in their
contracts..."
Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom
Forbes.com, by Courtney Boyd Myers
May 5, 2009
New York, NY. "...Today's most popular urban garden trend
is the "green roof" or roof garden. According to Nigel
Rollings, who's designed and installed gardens in New York...
Roof gardens also expand our outdoor living space and
provide more habitats for birds..."
The Green (or Sustainable) Building: Part II - Aesthetics, Ambience
and Synergy
The Green Economy Post, by Chris de Morsella
May 5, 2009
U.S. "This, the second article in our series on green (sustainable)
buildings examines the aesthetics and ambiance of green buildings,
using green roofs to illustrate how additional synergistic
benefits can be achieved without compromising the primary green
design goals..."
The Green (or Sustainable) Building: Part I - What is the Green
Building DNA?
The Green Economy Post, by Chris de Morsella
May 4, 2009
U.S. "What is meant when someone says “green building” —
what exactly are they talking about?...Some green roofs
for example are creating “natural habitats” right in the middle
of some of our largest cities. These are synergistic benefits that
are in addition to the primary goals of increasing energy efficiency
and water efficiency for which the green roof is used..."
UA Landscape Architecture Laboratory Wins Two Design Awards
University of Arizona News, Press Release
May 4, 2009
Tucson, AZ. "...A green roof laboratory currently
under design will become experimental roof garden
to test what southwest plant species can survive on a roof. It also
will house solar panels that will generate 10 kilowatts of electricity
to help power the building."
Latest Article on Green Roofs
The Orchard Studio, by Emma Bond
May 4, 2009
U.S. "My article on green roofs has come out
this week in the
The Bristol Magazine as well
as the
Bath Magazine, which I am very
pleased about! The more I read and research green roofs,
the more excited and convinced I become of the need... reducing
the devastating effects of water run-off and flooding..."
Now in NYC: Alive Structures Offering New Green Roof Tours for Wildflower
Week
GreenBuildingElements.com, by Lucille Chi
May 3, 2009
New York, NY. "...Together, with the most creative native
gardeners in the city,
Alive Structures will be giving
tours of their rooftop gardens at NYC wildflower week...Their
Green Roof systems use “thick root barriers, drainage
mats made from recycled plastic, and an erosion blanket to insure
the protection and functionality of the roof..."
Green Roofs for our cities
CityCaucus.com, by Eric Mang
May 2, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "...Cities like Vancouver are finding the
myriad benefits of green roofs – better insulation
for buildings...Chicago, Toronto’s sister city, leads North America
in green roofs. This could be good news for Torontonians..."
Builders want red light on green roof bylaw
YourHome.ca, by Tracy Hanes
May 2, 2009
Toronto, Canada. "A Tuesday meeting may determine whether
Toronto will become the first city in North America to make
green roofs mandatory for new condos, office...representing
GTA builders and developers, is urging the city to instead adopt
a voluntary green roof pilot project..."
New Building at SAP North America's Philadelphia-Area Campus Features
Energy-Efficient, Sustainable Design
CSRwire.com, Press Release
May 1, 2009
Newton Square, PA. "A suburban office building with a
grass roof, toilets that use rainwater for flushing and
an air-conditioning system that makes its own ice for cooling?...Rainwater
from the green roof and other areas is collected in
a 50,000-gallon cistern, which supplies water for landscape irrigation..."
Really Turning ‘Green' in Mansfield, CT
Connecticut Real Estate, by Elaine Burns
May 1, 2009
Mansfield, CT. "Green Roofs - More than just
an adjective and not new to Connecticut...Another little caveat
I found states that green roofs can reduce peak energy
demands up to 75% for businesses, but the average homeowner utilizing
a green roof reported 20-25% reduction in heating
and cooling costs..."
New £7.2m build to start at The College Ystrad Mynach
FEnews.co.uk, by Staff
May 1, 2009
Wales. "...In the building of the new block, The College
will be aiming to achieve BREEAM (BR Environmental Assessment Method)
excellence rating. Plans are ahead to include a biomass boiler,
natural ventilation, rainwater harvesting and a ‘green roof’..."
NAR Recognizes School of the Future Design Winners
International Business Times, by Stephanie Singer
May 1, 2009
Washington, DC. "...Green building and sustainability principles
are prevalent in their design, which includes recycled jean-packed
walls, a green roof, greywater recycling...The design
from Charles Hart Middle School would use bio walls
and a green roof to insulate the school and improve
air quality. The green roof would also be used as
an outdoor classroom..."
Sustainable developments receive grants from city
Daily Journal of Commerce, by Tyler Graf
April 30, 2009
Portland, OR. "Green Investment Fund aims to help three Portland
housing projects...The new building is targeting Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design platinum certification. To achieve that
goal, the building plans to include a system for harvesting rainwater
and an eco-roof with an outdoor terrace...."
Eco-Roofing Installed at Portstewart Strand Centre
Build.ie, by Staff
April 29, 2009
Northern Ireland. "A
ZinCo green roof
system from sustainable roofing specialists
Alumasc
has been chosen for the new National Trust Visitor Centre at Portstewart
Strand in County Londonderry... Extensive green roofs
offer greater ecological benefits than other planting options and
will fully support the rich community of plants..."
URA, NParks introduce schemes to promote more sky gardens in S'pore
Channel News Asia, by Timothy Ouyang
April 29, 2009
Singapore. "...NParks is spending $8 million over the next
three years in cash incentives to co-fund up to half the cost of
installing green roofs. A green roof is defined as
a lightweight growing system, which requires a proper selection
of plant material for easy maintenance...NParks plans to transform
some 9 hectares of existing rooftops into green roofs
over the next three years..."
Plants for Extensive Green Roofs
Environmentalism.Suite101.com, by Sharon Russell
April 29, 2009
World. "Selecting Vegetation for Shallow Substrates and Harsh
Conditions...Green roofs create a unique micro climate
that must be considered to ensure plants flourish and perform..."
Grass-roofed paper processing plant opens
letsrecycle.com, by Staff
April 29, 2009
London, England. "...A £4 million waste paper processing
facility with one of the largest grass roofs in the
UK has opened in Earls Barton, five kilometres east of Northampton...The
facility has a curved roof which means that its Sedum grass covering
gives the facility the appearance of a green..."
Singapore To Green Up Tall Buildings
Bernama.com, by Staff
April 29, 2009
Singapore. "Singapore today launched a new initiative that
will literally green up high-rise buildings ... |
