Green Roofs for Design + Sustainability

Credit: SweisKloss

Green Roofs for Design + Sustainability

by SweisKloss
September 24, 2020

Some of our latest residential projects at SweisKloss have included designing and constructing green roofs, also known as living roofs. When an opportunity arises to incorporate a green roof, clients are very much drawn to the idea of having one. From a design angle, they add aesthetic value; they are colorful and provide a wonderful natural element to any structure. But the myriad of environmental and health benefits is certainly what impacts quality of life the most. There are two types of green roofs: intensive and extensive. An intensive green roof resembles a conventional garden or park. They tend to be more complex, requiring more structural support, maintenance, and initial investment. Extensive green roofs are simpler and use heartier plants with a growing medium depth of two to four inches. They do not require a significant amount of structural support and are low maintenance. We recently completed an extensive green roof at one of our Santa Monica projects. Both types of roofs have the same basic layering components including a number of barriers to prevent root and water damage to the structure. The most commonly used layers include a drainage layer, a filter membrane, and a growing medium. And obviously the vegetation is the top layer, which is the really fun part of the design and planning—choosing the plants. Here are the top environmental benefits of a green roof:

• Reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Lowering conventional power sources can reduce pollutants and GHGs.
• Reduced energy by removing heat from the air and acting as insulators for buildings thereby reducing energy needed for cooling and heating.
• Enhanced stormwater management and water quality by slowing stormwater runoff and filtering pollutants from rainfall.
• Improved quality of life and reduced stress. Studies have shown that when people connect with nature, their overall physical and mental health improves.

Designing and constructing a green roof doesn’t have to be complicated. There are creative ways to incorporate even small extensive green roofs to homes or other built structures. Many architects and architectural designers are moving to greener construction practices. It’s all about building responsibly and hopefully making a difference.