Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2016 - 7

avoid this all-important issue. A leaking roof is a nightmare; the
fear of leaks is the number ONE reason why clients shy away
from green roof installation, along with initial costs. Almost as
important is the measure of the green roof's ability to store and
filter water, reducing impacts on stormwater collection systems
while improving water quality. The first design "fundamental" in
the design of green roofs and walls should be the required use
of recycled water, whether by use of on-roof retention or from
on-site cisterns.
AF / CB: We don't think you can separate quality design,
quality material, quality construction, and an appropriate
maintenance program as factors in determining long term performance. A good design, poorly executed, can be just as flawed
as a bad design with great execution. And without site specific
maintenance, the best built, best designed green roof with the
highest quality materials will eventually fall short.
MM: Regular maintenance check-ups by a qualified and dedicated green roof technician are vital. Most green roof issues arise
from a lack of routine oversight, and because people sometimes
forget that green roofs are living systems. Identifying and resolving
any concerns early are key elements to keep green roofs healthy.
LAM: From a design perspective, what is most important to you in
terms of green roof performance and why?
BM: That depends on what your project goals are, and how the
roof is intended to be used. If the roof is designed for people, the
need to create a sense of beauty becomes more critical, as people

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will then be naturally attracted
to the space. The measure of
how much the user enjoys the
space is most important then. If
the purpose is to produce food
or honey, then the roof design
needs to respond to issues such
as soil storage, composting, seasonal rotation of crops, and ease
of maintenance. If all you need
is a dense blanket of growing
media and vegetation for purely
pragmatic concerns of resource
conservation, then the level of
importance shifts to creating a
reliable "cover", that requires
minimal maintenance.
MM: A green roof must
engage and satisfy its users.
It should be visibly stunning,
delighting people through a
unique and visceral connection
to nature. When the roof is not
publicly accessible, it should
be agriculturally productive,
should provide habitat and

respite to birds, butterflies
and the many creatures that
perform ecosystem services
that we humans don't even
comprehend, and should honor
the Earth, providing more
benefit to heal the planet than
resources the space requires.
AF / CB: Chris says: Ecological performance. Amazing
environmental design should
be at the foundation of what we
do as green roofers. Otherwise
we're missing an opportunity
to be a greater part of a needed
solution. Amy says: Happiness.
This might sound like a bunch
of butterflies and unicorns, but
the happiness of our clients, of
people who get to see or walk
on these projects, or of those
who just hear of their existence
shouldn't be ignored as a
performance metric. Happiness
matters.

LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR / FALL 2016 / 7

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2016