Greenroofs.com Projects - Carnegie Mellon University, Hamerschlag Hall

Carnegie Mellon University, Hamerschlag Hall

Project Name: Carnegie Mellon University, Hamerschlag Hall
Year: 2005
Owner: Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Building Type: Educational
Type: Extensive, Test/Research
System: Single Source Provider
Size: 4200 sq.ft.
Slope: 2%
Access: Accessible, Private
Submitted by: John Shepley and J?rg Breuning

Designers/Manufacturers of Record:
Plant Supplier: Green Roof Plants/Emory Knoll Farms
Waterproofing Manufacturer: Tim Clement, WP Hickman
Designers + Green Roof Consultants: J?rg Breuning + Peter Philippi, Green Roof Service LLC
Green Roof Components: Lee Jaslow, Resource Conservation Technology
Green Roof Growing Media: Joe DiNorscia, Skyland USA rooflite extensive
Bob Bingham: Bob Bingham, CMU
Roofing Company and Installer: Jack Maher, Tuscano Maher Roofing Inc
Professor of Environmental Engineering: Cliff I Davidson, CMU
General Contractor: Jacob Bulk, CDI Cleveland

A close-up of grasses and flowering evergreen groundcovers.

Another perspective of the extensive greenroof.

Completed in August, 2005, Hamerschlag Hall was one of the first green roofs established for research within Pittsburgh. The project was completed in conjunction with the 3 Rivers Wet Weather Stormwater Advisory Panel on which Carnegie Mellon civil and environmental engineering professor David Dzombak serves. The extensive green roof was installed on the south wing of Hamerschlag Hall replacing river stone ballast. The project was initiated by students, who were also involved in design and planting. Monitoring equipment has been installed to measure and evaluate performance and benefits. This is a natural looking green roof with high biodiversity incorporating a comprehensive energy and water monitoring system.

Natural recreated areas to encourage biodiversity.

Plantings: 4 Sedum species as durable and hardy ground cover; 24 different perennials to improve biodiversity and aesthetics, like Dianthus carthusianorum, Hieracium pilosella, Talinum calycinum, Petrorhagia saxifraga, Salvia nemerosa and Thymus serpyllum among others; 2 kinds of grasses as vertical elements adding height and structure (Bouteloua curtipendula and Calamagrostis acutiflora ?Karl Foerster?). Type and depth of growing medium: Rooflite TM extensive, a FLL-certified growing medium manufactured by Skyland USA LLC. drainage system: Rooflite TM drain, a FLL-certified granular drainage manufactured by Skyland USA LLC. No irrigation system is necessary. Maintenance requirements: The goal is getting stable, natural looking vegetation with high biodiversity. Hence the task of maintenance is not avoiding changes of the original design but giving them direction.

Additional thumbnail photos:

See the live Webcam here. Learn more about Green Roof Service in The Greenroof Directory and Emory Knoll Farms/Green Roof Plants, too. See the project profile on the Green Roof Service website.

Download The GREEN SCENE, Issue 17, September 2005 entitled "The Hamerschlag Hall Living Roof! Design for a Sustainable Future" by Carnegie Mellon Green Practices. Read "Hamerschlag Hall pioneers green roof technology" from the Tartan Online, by Christine deBriffault of October 3, 2005 here.

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