Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Summer 2011 - (Page 29)

heat island effect, intercepting stormwater and increasing carbon sequestration. To realize Rich’s vision, MKMLA proposed a series of sweeping canopy drifts contained in raised metal planters set directly on the existing extensive roof. These deep berms include builtin seating and define spaces while providing sufficient growing media depth for intensive planting. The curved metal edges of the raised planters have open bottoms (as do all the planters) to accommodate water flow and are attached to spread footings set on the existing green roof for stability. To further enhance the landscape MKMLA designed tree cylinders over existing columns that allow greater growing media depth so that specimen trees such as Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese Stewartia) and Acer palmatum ‘Trompenburg’ (Trompenburg Japanese Maple) can be incorporated into the planting palette. Rich embraced the idea of the raised mounds: “The design solution identified by MKMLA involving sinuous metal edging of varying heights provided a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution to varying growing media depths and defining spaces. This in turn opened the door to really ambitious plant choices.” Morrison’s ownership and management of Windsway Construction LLC, a designbuild firm, was crucial since Rich wanted the project to be built and planted within several months. Design development and selection of fabricators and artisans took place over the winter of 2010; construction began in late March 2011 and was substantially complete enough to hold an opening party on May 17, 2011. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT The review process for this high-profile building proved challenging: “The barriers and delays caused by the building's review architect and the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) were expensive and frustrating,” says Rich. Indeed, the MKMLA team and Rich attended a series of meetings in order to convince stakeholders that a densely planted surface would create an environmental asset and that the roof garden should not be considered agricultural, which is restricted by NYC zoning, but residential. MKMLA developed numerous visual renderings and elevations to illustrate that vegetation would not be obtrusive from any of the BPCA’s buildings, and that the architectural integrity of the building façade would not be diminished. BPCA mandated that the exterior face of those support posts closest to the parapet should be http://www.greenscreen.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Summer 2011

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Summer 2011
Contents
Water Worries
Cities Re-Imagined
Design Strategies for Wild Bees
Special Section: Cities Alive 2011 Conference Guide
Thin Flats
Sky Island at the Visionaire
Welcome New Members
New Corporate Members
Professional Calendar
Seven-Year Pitch

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Summer 2011