In recent years, the installation of green roofs has become increasingly popular and now offers a biologically diverse and sustainable system for both residential and commercial buildings. A green roof is a living roof; it is home to many species of plants and animals. Green roofs are attractive and provide a number of eco-services, not the least of which is helping their host building to conserve energy, primarily by reducing the amount of solar energy absorbed by the structure and minimizing fluctuations in temperature. In another of its eco-services, a green roof manages stormwater runoff; unlike a conventional roof, which rapidly sheds rainwater, a green roof retains water, allowing it to evaporate. Meanwhile, the plants on the roof are taking part in a biologically diverse and beautiful form of water management.
We customize our approach to each project. We begin with a thorough assessment of the property and project requirements. Factors we consider are the structural capacity of the building, its location and climate, local maintenance considerations, and desired aesthetic outcomes. We then develop a "green roofing system," one that fulfills the requirements of green roofing as well as the necessities of the project. Systems will vary by project, but our systems generally employ ecologically sound technology and sustainable materials. We use intellect and artistry in equal measure to create ecosystems that thrive in tough rooftop conditions and fulfill an array of functional and aesthetic outcomes desired by project stakeholders. And we incorporate maintenance in various forms as another key part of the project life cycle. Our structures are designed to last; the ecosystems we build are designed to thrive long term; and achieving all this requires regular maintenance of various types.
The advantages of our custom green roofing systems go well beyond their good looks. These innovative, eco-friendly structures save energy; their insulation properties help keep buildings warm in winter and cool in summer, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. They also have an appearance that makes them indistinguishable from a beautiful landscaped roof, and this can make a dappled impression on the overlookers’ eyes. In addition, green roofs—again, our style of them—manage rainwater runoff. On the roofs I’ve designed and built, stormwater disappeared without a trace. Not one drop made it to the gutters that were supposed to route it down to the ground. This is what we mean when we say that a green roof is a sustainable roof: It keeps a structure dry while using nothing but rain to keep the plants alive.
