Hi friends,
I’m working on a bunch of reading and papers due this week for school, but I wanted to check in and share this little glimpse of green building in my small home town. One of the classes I’m taking is Architect Construction Process. Most of the class content focuses on building codes (yawn!), but we’re also delving into sustainable building practices. Right now I’m writing a paper on green roofs. Are you familiar? In a [very little] nutshell, green roofs consist of vegetation and boast many benefits, including
- increased energy efficiency
- mitigation of rainwater runoff
- aesthetic value
- extra outdoor living space
- reduced air pollution
Who knew!? So, check out this green roof right here in my town.
To give some perspective, you can see a few cars in a parking lot across the street on the right of the photo.
This is called an “intensive” green roof, since it’s built to be walked on and to hold large, heavy plants.
“Extensive” green roofs simply hold native grasses and succulents, like these stunning images I found on Pinterest.
Source: somacedesign.com via domesti on Pinterest
Though, this photo shows how they’re most often used here in the States, hidden away on urban rooftops:
Pretty interesting, huh? Have you guys seen a green roof? Would you consider installing one in your home? They make modular systems that are apparently easy to install and you can just place them on top of existing roofs.
(For another Design School lesson, click here.)
Linking up to Serenity Now.
Source: greenroofs.com via domesti on Pinterest
Love this! At first I was thinking a literal green roof (we have a house with a blue roof in my old neighborhood – I’m so in love with it!). This is way cooler though!
Any idea how long they hold up? I wonder if it would be positive or negative when you’re looking for home insurance.
Hi Leslie! Great question…I have read that when done well they can hold up as long as a conventional roof…decades. I haven’t read anything about home insurance. I can’t imagine the modular system would have a negative effect, and it could be easily removed, or even move with you. Thanks for stopping by! Congrats on your mention in the magazine!