FIRST GREEN ROOF AT UF
Charles R. Perry Construction Yard
What is Green Roof?
Green roofs are living, vegetative roofing alternatives. Greenroof structures can become net producers of energy, clean water and air, as well as part of healthy human and biological communities. They are a key solution to the nation's and state's water and energy conservation goals.
There are two types of green roofs: Extensive or Intensive Green Roof Assemblies
The Extensive Garden Roof is ideally suited for locations that will receive little or no maintenance, or where structural capabilities are a concern. Recommended plants include sedum, herbs, grasses and other vegetation that can withstand harsh growing conditions. The soil mixture, composed primarily of mineral materials mixed with organic medium, can be very shallow (as little as three inches). The entire system is very light, weighing little more than a traditional ballast roof, allowing for safe installation on almost any existing roof.
The Intensive Garden Roof incorporates plants that require regular maintenance, such as watering, fertilizing and mowing. The variety of plants possible is numerous, including the sod grass lawns, perennial and annual flowers, shrubs, and even small trees. When used in conjunction with Hydrotech's full line of hardscape elements, such as architecturally finished pavers and precast items, the system is ideal for roofs and plazas that will serve as pedestrian recreational areas.
Green Roof Benefits
Besides being aesthetically pleasing, a green roof can provide numerous environmental, technical and owner benefits.
Ecological Benefits
Mitigates Urban Heat Island: Green roofs cool and humidify the surrounding air creating a microclimate which has beneficial effects within the immediate area.
Natural Habitat for Animals and Plants: Green roofs create biodiversity , encouraging wildlife, such as birds, butterflies and insects, to remain within urban areas.
Reduction of Dust and Smog Levels: Green roof vegetation helps to filter out dust and smog particles. Nitrates and other aerosol contaminants are absorbed out of the air and rainfall and bound within the soil.
Technical Benefits
Storm Water Retention: Depending upon the design, a green roof can typically reduce storm water run-off by 50-90%. Additionally, the peak flow volume is greately reduced and the peak flow period is delayed by as much as 4 hours, minimizing the impact on existing sewer systems.
Additional Thermal Resistance: Green roofs can improve the thermal resistance of the roof assembly throughout the year, especially in summer months by helping to reduce cooling costs.
Reduce Noise Levels: Typical extensive green roofs (3"-4" growing media) reduce reflective sound by upto 3 dB and improve sound insulation by upto 8dB. This is most effective with buildings near airports, factories or busy freeways.
Owner Benefits
Increased Life Expectancy of the Roof: A green roof, much like a PMR (Protected Membrane Roof) Assembly, protects the roof membrane from climate extremes and physical abuse, thereby greatly increasing the life expectancy of the roof.
Additional Usable Space: Converting or desgning normally unused roof areas into green roofs, simply makes sense. Increase your property value by reclaiming the fifth elevation of a building and make it an amenity to be used by the building occupants.
Building Incentives: More and more municipalities and other government agencies are providing incentives that can help off-set the cost of green roof.
The Garden Roof Assembly: Potential LEED Credits
The Garden Roof is a powerful asset that can earn several LEED credits.
The LEED program is a broad initiative intended to promote sustainability on the roof, and throughout the entire construction process.
The LEED credits that can be earned by installing a Garden Roof include:
1) SITE CREDIT 6: Stormwater Management
2) SITE CREDIT 7: Landscape and exterior design to reduce heat islands
UF's Green Roof
The green roof on the Charles R. Perry Construction yard is a model of interdisciplinary collaboration. Designed by landscape architect Glenn Acomb in conjunction with Soil and Water Science professor Mark Clark and doctoral student Sylvia Lang, the roof will help manage stormwater runoff and will reduce demand on the stormwater system.
The roof measures 2,600 square feet, with a soil depeth of 5 inches. The plants will be irrigated with a drip irrigation system which will use harvested rainwater stored in two 3,100 gallon tanks. During times of drought, irrigation can be supplemented by reclaimed water. The roof design allows for the source of water to be changed from harvested rainwater to reclaimed water.
Allowed us to transform a flat roof at Charles R. Perry Constrcution yard building into a lanscaped environment. Designed to handle the garden Roof Assembly safely and carry about six persons on the roof at the same time. The roof was donated by American Hydrotech, Inc. We used Hydrotech's Monolithic Membrane that assures a water tight structure.
The Garden Roof provides many ecological, technical, and economic benefits including:
Enhances building's appearance
Adds space for surrounding building occupants for a beautifil view
An answer to the "Urban Heat Island" problem
Stormwater management - retains 50-90% of a typical rainfall on the roof
Improves building's energy efficiency
Processes airborne toxins and re-oxygenates the air
Creates therapeutic and peaceful environments
Total assembly warranted by Hydrotech from the deck up
Plant Selection
Plant selection was made for characteristics of full sun and drought tolerance, as well as for species common to Zone 8 of the Plant Hardiness Map (USDA). The mature height of plants was limited to 24 to 30 inches, and the root structure was intended to be able to adapt to a soil depth of 5 inches or less.
Plant List
Common Name (Botanical Name)
Blanketflower (Galliardia pulchella)
Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium atlanticum)
Coreopsis grandiflora (Coreopsis)
Dune Sunflower (Helianthes debilis)
Gopher Apple (Licania michauxii)
Matchstick Weed/Capeweed (Phyla nodiflora)
Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillsris)
Prennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)
Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)
Green Roof Related Research On-Campus
Photos of Green Roof Construction
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Green Roof Progress (three months: July 2007)
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