If you took the "long" tour on Tuesday you had
the opportunity to tour at least one additional site: The Chicago
Center for Green Technology. This is a building that was constructed
under the "Green Homes for Chicago" program (and a whole host of other
national/state/local programs as well!) The green roof that was used
in this construction was typical of the type: low water need, high
water retention and no irrigation. It was flat.
The mayor's roof was only on half of the city
hall building. The county side of the roof was not done. Since
it is very early in the roof's history they haven't published any of the
details. However, apocryphal observation has the county-side black
roof averaging 165 degrees and the city-side, green roof averaging about 92
degrees! Amazing, isn't it?
However, here are the major
differences:
1. The city roof has
been mounded up to create hillocks and thus increase the surface
area.
2. It is irrigated (I
thought that was a real compromise.)
3. This year they
salted with a sprinkling of annual seeds and actually planted some container
annuals: Lantana was one of the obvious ones.
4. They planted two
trees and a large quantity of prairie grasses that our guide admitted
required more water than the traditional "green" roof would allow for
plants.
5. Because of the
large amount of paving and other hardscape surfaces and the apparent absence
of any collection resevoirs, I don't know and didn't ask if they have
substantially reduced the amount of runoff that the building produces.
Maybe those figures haven't been studied yet anyway.
And in response to Jeff's observation: I
have always gone on the Tuesday tours--wherever they are going. I've
always signed on for the longest tour of the day. So far, I have not
been disappointed. They always rank among the most thrilling and
surprising of the symposium. In fact, last year's to Snohomish I would
rank as one of my all-time favorite day-long experiences. If you go to
the Symposium, never--ever miss the Tuesday tours. As Jeff said,
they're usually the committee member's favorite sites.
Lastly, good to see you all. Thanks to
Doreen again for a great get-together in the Cave Bar....
Kirk R. Brown
Joanne Kostecky Garden Design, Inc
4905 Hamilton Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18106
610-530-8752
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 2:23
PM
Subject: Re: [GWL] Roof Gardens/Green
Roofs
The term that is used for these designs is actually Green
Roofs and Chicago has jumped full force. Do a search for "Green
Roofs" and you will find all the info you need as well as an organization
"Green Roofs for Healthy Cities." Chicago just hosted a
conference this spring. It's a FABULOUS idea from an environmental
point of view.
Lynn
At 12:38 PM 8/21/2003, KTCopsey@aol.com wrote:
In
a message dated 8/21/03 11:39:44 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
hortventures@cox.net writes:
This sounds
like a very interesting development and I would like to hear
more
about how these gardens are constructed. Anyone have photos of
such activities?
There was an article in the Chicagoland magazine about that
which I think is online. It was the latest issue which was in the
goody bag at the meeting - if you have it. I suspect that the mayors
office would would also put you in touch with the relevant people.
My biggest concern would be about the weight issue.
BTW
I still have two bags of 'stuff' to sort thru - there was so
much!
Katy
Living just one cornfield away from
civilization
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