Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2011 - (Page 5)

“Up until now we have had to take our clients to the countryside to do the native ceremonies which we can now do on the roof in downtown Toronto. This new space allows increased access to ceremony which is a critical part of the therapeutic work we do.” critical part of the therapeutic work we do. Indeed, ceremony may be that which best differentiates us from the mainstream and is very effective in getting native peoples on a path to healing. How frequently is the roof used? KR: It is still ramping up but I anticipate that the sweat lodge and other THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT SCOTT TORRANCE, SCOTT TORRANCE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT INC., TORONTO, ONTARIO Was there a design charrette held for this project? ST: When we came on board, the design of the whole facility was well underway. The architects had done a great job establishing a very strong program for the roof garden (sacred medicine plantings, Three Sisters garden, sweat lodge, a creative space for children, a separate area for youth, communal seating for all ages and a ceremonial fire pit. (Fire is not something usually associated with roofs!) We collaborated very closely with the architects, developing a number of different strategies to accommodate all of these things in a way that celebrates nature and natural processes, while being honest to the fact that the roof is a highly constructed space in a very urban setting ( i.e. no curvy lines for the sake of trying to look natural).” What design challenges did you face? ST: We were told we could only have 12" of growing medium around the parapet and 6" everywhere else. We found a lightweight growing media that would allow us to obtain a depth of 24". This opened the door for a greater diversity of plant form types – grasses, forbs and shrubs such as Cedar and Sumac – which really adds to the quality of the roof. What are “teaching hills?” ST: These are turf covered mounds (made of rigid insulation and growing features will be used at least weekly: at times more often. It is being wellreceived by the Elders which means it’s a go. THE ARCHITECT DEAN GOODMAN, B.ARCH., OAA, PARTNER, LEVITT GOODMAN ARCHITECTS, TORONTO, ONTARIO What were the keys to success for the design of this project? DG: I think the elements for the success of this project were: an excellent medium) planted with Service Berries. One of them is on a building column, and has 900mm of depth and a native Paper Birch tree planted on it, to provide shade and character. This part of the roof garden is designed for younger children. The mounds can be used for informal play (mounds are always a popular play feature) or as place for children and Elders to gather. What did you learn from working on this project? ST: This was such an interesting project and client. The design was guided client group and flexible consultants who were willing to learn and change as we went along. In addition we were lucky to have such great builders. What advice would you have for other designers about building a sweat lodge on a green roof? DG: The sweat lodge experience is quite different in an urban environ- ment than in a more natural setting. As well, this is a modern interpretation of a traditional lodge. The clients and folks who will be using it have to be involved to make sure it works for them for all of the various uses they have for the building. Finally I think having the garden with it is one of the keys to its success. by maximizing space for communal seating and gathering, growing plants important to ceremony and Aboriginal culture – the corn, beans and squash in the Three Sisters Garden, for example – soft surfaces for children to play and accommodation of the sweat lodge and fire pit. The native plant species provides a connection to a more “natural” landscape in a very urban location. Lastly, we included a small, inexpensive bubbler water feature in the planting. Having water attracts many birds. * Caroline M. Nolan, M.Sc., GRP, is the editor of the Living Architecture Monitor and principal of ThinkSustain®, a boutique sustainability consultancy in Toronto, Ontario. LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR WINTER 2011 5

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

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2011
Contents
The Living Architecture & Health Connection
Picnic Perfect
Green Roof Sight-Seeing
A Sacred Space
On the Roof With… Judith H. Heerwagen
A Spiritual Oasis
Therapeutic Landscapes
Active Living Walls
Lifetime Achievement Award: A Legend Remembered
Civic Award: Kelly Luckett
Research Award: Jeremy Lundholm
Fieldnotes From Greenbuild 2010
Toward Net-Zero Water Use
Learn Online
New Corporate Members
Welcome New GRPs
Cents and Sustainability

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2011