Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2012 - (Page 19)

“any green rooF team shouLd assign the sPeciFic tasks to those on the team Who are the most knoWLedgeaBLe and exPerienced. this is stiLL rareLy the case.” Another example—one green roof we were installing, but had not designed, had poor plant choices for the depth of soil and the microclimate. When informed of this, the landscape architect said, “Well, something will grow there.” He was right, and it wasn’t the original plants, which suffered over 80 percent mortality. It is now dominantly volunteer short grasses with some variation of volunteer species each year. This roof won an AIA award. One roof I designed evolved into a stable system. However, it never achieved full coverage. Sections of another roof I designed became so stressed that the plants, even after being given tender-loving-care to return to health, never really achieved full vigor. Some of these decisions were made out of an ignorance that was common. Some were decisions made for avoidable reasons. Frequently those with the most authority on a green roof project have the least detailed knowledge. Architects and landscape architects are trained as generalists. My education is in architecture. And though I had to pass a site design section on the registration exam, my knowledge of plants and soils was next to nothing. Some of the best green roof designers I know are landscape architects and also some of the worst. Some of the best green roof designers I know have never taken a landscape architecture course. My point here is that no single profession embodies the knowledge and skills required for this work. Those who acquire competency are those willing to do the homework and engage in the field work outside of their comfort zone of academic and professional training and field experience. Any green roof team should assign the specific tasks to those on the team who are the most knowledgeable and experienced. This is still rarely the case. The people I respect the most in the field and with whom I aspire to be a peer are those who still admit confusion. Those who are more interested in furthering their knowledge and understanding and not so much in maintaining their ego or growing market share. I find myself learning from a broader circle of people now. Early on it was roofers, manufacturers, researchers and some experimenters in green roofs and living walls. Now this circle has widened to include foresters, microbiologists, naturopaths, and various discussion groups, interest groups and societies. There are over 20 benefits that green roofs of various designs provide. These are peer reviewed and a researched phenomena. I like to ask the question of green roof pessimists “Failure compared to what?” Many green roofs that are only 20 percent successful are still heads and shoulders above any other roof technology or approach. Patrick Carey, GRP is the principal of Hadj Design and an instructor with GRHC. The Proof is in the Roof. • Proven Track Record 600+ projects 2 million+ square feet • Industry Best Support • Time Saving Design Tools • Climate Specialized Plant Options (800) 875-1392 www.liveroof.com sales@liveroof.com The PROVEN Hybrid Green Roof System http://www.liveroof.com http://www.liveroof.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2012

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2012
Contents
From the Founder
Letter From the Editor
The World’s First Bio-Façade Ready to Grow
Save the Dates for the Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summit 2013
On the Roof With…
Policy and Standards
Current Research
Leadership
Product
Plant
Project
2012 Awards of Excellence
New Corporate Members
Professional Calendar
GRHC Buyer’s Guide
On Spec

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2012