What is a Green Roof?
A green roof is a roof that has vegetation growing on it, which could be as simple as grass, or as complex as a whole garden or ecosystem.
Why a Green Roof?
Green roofs provide many benefits to a building, including (but not limited to):
- Providing coolth to the building and it's neighborhood, reducing the heat island effect.
- Collecting and utilizing storm water, diverting it from stressed water treatment facilities.
- Possibly providing food for the buildings inhabitants.
- Providing aesthetically pleasing color and breaking the monotony in building appearance.
Types of Green Roofs
- Intensive green roofs have deep soil and can support trees and larger plants.
- Extensive green roofs are more self-sustaining than intensive roofs, and require minimal maintenance. Characterized by shallow soil (~6 inches).
Green Roof Portrait Gallery
ACROS Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall in Fukuoka, Japan
(Credit: Jetson Green)
Model of the California Academy of Arts and Sciences, Now Being Built
(Credit: Inhabitat)
Residential Green Roof in Norway (Credit: Nick Enge)
Other Green Roof Resources
- GreenRoofs.com with information about green roofs, and a project database.
Author: Nick Enge
Contributors: Lauren L
General References: WBDG Green Roofs
Special Thanks:
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