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2010
Cultivating crops on city rooftops
Environmental Expert Press Release
London, UK. "To meet the challenges of producing food in a
more environmentally-friendly way, the European Environment
Agency (EEA) has called on cities to develop 'living walls'
of edible plants. Through vertical farming, agriculture could
become a feature of urban life, lowering energy consumption,
carbon emissions and resource use in food production..."
[3.11.10]
Affordable, Curvy, and Super Green
Jetson Green Blog, by Preston Koerner
London, UK. "...Designed by Acanthus LW Architects for
Paradigm Housing, these homes were built with recycled steel and
minimal construction waste...Green features include a
sedum-covered green roof, photovoltaics, solar
thermal, rainwater capture for toilet usage, high insulation,
abundant natural light, passive ventilation, biomass boiler for
heating and hot water, and heat recovery systems..." [3.10.10]
In Oakland, Solar and Affordable Housing Part of the Same Deal
Sunpluggers.com, by Erin Milnes
Oakland, CA. "...Designed by architect David Baker +
Partners and built by J. H. Fitzmaurice, Ironhorse incorporates
many sustainable building measures, among them solar-heated
water, photovoltaic arrays to supply electricity for common
areas, certified 'green' carpets and vegetated 'green
roofs,' which last longer than conventional roofing and
provide insulation from both heat and sound..." [3.10.10]
Win a green roof for your school by photographing local wildlife
The Ecologist, by Matilda Lee
London, UK. "With spring around the corner, why not take
a walk around your local park or forest to get a closer look at
- and photograph - local wildlife. Uploading pictures can win a
school near you a green roof...Dusty Gedge, an
urban ecologist and founder of
www.livingroofs.org, an
independent source of green roof information in
the UK, says that a green roof can be used as an
outdoor classroom and will help to preserve local wildlife..."
[3.9.10]
A Few Things the West Could Teach Japan About Housing - #8 Roof
Garden
AlaTown.com Blog, by Alastair Townsend
Japan. "...like Fukuoka’s
ACROS building and the
Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka in Tokyo are remarkable examples
of urban green roofs...Japan has a number of notable green roofs
(both large offices and houses). That said, Japan (and the rest
of the world) is still somewhat behind Europe in this regard. We
can all agree, however, that the world needs more green
roofs – particularly Japan..." [3.9.10]
Futuristic New York and Sustainable Sao Paulo Projects Win
Zumtobel Prize
Fast Company, by Alissa Walker
World. "...Sao Paulo workspace named Harmonia//57
designed by French-Brazilian architects Triptyque was named as
the winner. The firm was charged with creating a flexible
environment on a unique site deluged with heavy rain and very
high temperatures. Taking advantage of the abundance of natural
resources, the designers added not only a green roof,
but vertical gardens as well..." [3.8.10]
City will hold ecoroof fair Friday and Saturday
OregonLive.com, by Susan Green
Portland, OR. "Anyone interested in installing an
ecoroof, a vegetated roof that absorbs rain and reduces
stormwater runoff, can find all the information and resources
they need at the free, city-sponsored
Ecoroof Portland
2010 fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Leftbank
Annex, 101 N. Weidler St..." [3.8.10]
Media-TIC building will cut emissions by 37 percent with
energy-saving skin
Ecofriend, by Staff
Barcelona, Spain. "...Architect Enric Ruiz-Geli has
designed an inflatable membrane façade from the Media-TIC
building that will help it save energy and reduce carbon
emissions by as much as 37 percent...The roof of the building
will feature a green cover and photovoltaic
panels. The green roof collects rainwater, which is then
collected in a tank and re-used for sanitation and
landscaping..." [3.8.10]
Former Larimer gas station to make 'green' statement
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, by Jodi Weigand
Pittsburgh, PA. "A long-vacant gas station in Larimer is
being transformed into a place where people can learn about
water conservation and growing local produce. The Energy and
Environment Community Outreach Center at East Liberty Boulevard
and Larimer Avenue is expected to be completed this fall. It
will also feature solar panels, a community garden and a
'green' roof that will collect rainwater for
irrigation..." [3.8.10]
Green by design
yourhome.ca, by Donna Laporte
Toronto, Canada. "...Terry McGlade is a horticulturalist
and landscape designer who has been specializing in green
roofs for 10 years. He says a lot of thought went into
designing the green roof system for this
home...McGlade is founder of
Gardens in the Sky, a
division of Flynn Canada, the largest roofer in Canada. He says
interest is growing and he has designed green roofs
for about eight houses in the past year..." [3.6.10]
Maldives To Fight Rising Sea Levels With Floating Islands
Inhabitat Blog, by Jill Fehrenbacher
Maldives. "The tiny island nation of the Maldives is
under serious threat from rising sea levels caused by climate
change...the renderings for the amphibious mini-cities appear
depict star-shaped, tiered islands with indoor spaces hidden
under lush green-roof terraces, complete with interior pools and
beaches..." [3.5.10]
'Flagship' grass roof development takes shape in Witham
BBC News, by Staff
Witham, UK. "An eye-catching residential development that
features an eco-friendly green sedum roof is
taking shape in Witham...The green roof is
predominantly made of moss, with a few wild flowers, was laid as
a blanket similar to turf. As well as improving the insulation,
it also captures rain water run-off which is reused to irrigate
itself...Listen to an explanation..." [3.4.10]
Seminar in Carnegie touts green roofs
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, by Bob Podurgiel
Carnegie, PA. "Even though most roofs are still covered
with ice and snow, people in Carnegie are thinking green -- as
in green roofs. Dr. Rob Berghage, associate
professor of horticulture at Penn State University, gave an
audience Friday of about 50 local political leaders, business
owners and conservation advocates an introduction into how
green roofs are constructed and how they can benefit
building owners and the environment at a green roof
and green landscaping conference in the Carnegie Borough
Building..." [3.4.10]
Saturday, March 13th Meet Mike Darcy at EcoRoof Portland 2010
750 KXL, by Staff
Portland, OR. "The City of Portland is sponsoring
Ecoroof Portland,
taking place March 12-13, 2010. Come learn how ecoroofs work,
why they're important, and what's next for Portland's rooftops
and sky..." [3.4.10]
Stunning Green Roofed Apartment Building Rises in Amsterdam
Inhabitat Blog, by Bridgette Meinhold
Amsterdam, The Netherlands. "Construction was recently
finished on this stunning green-roofed apartment
building in Amsterdam, and residents will soon be able to move
into their stunning new light filled apartments. Designed by NL
Architects, Blok K is located between the historic center and
the recently redeveloped harbor area in the east...More
photos..." [3.3.10]
DuPage gets grant to create green roof
Chicago Daily Herald, by Jake Griffin
Chicago, IL. "The county recently received a $250,000
federal grant from the Department of Energy to convert the
cafeteria's roof to a more energy efficient and ecologically
friendly version...The 'green' roof would provide
energy-saving benefits by providing better insulation for that
area of the building thereby lowering heating and cooling..."
[3.2.10]
Roofing demand in US projected to be $17.9 billion in 2014
MMD Newswire Press Release
US. "...As increasing awareness and interest over
environmentally friendly roofing products that also help reduce
building utility costs continue to expand and gain in
popularity, the roofing market is expected to see gains at above
average paces in composite shingles, photovoltaic roofing, and
green roof systems through 2014." [3.9.10]
SIUC's first 'green roof' in the works
The DailyEgyptian, by Erin Holcomb
March 1, 2010
Carbondale, IL. "Landscaping isn’t new to the campus,
especially to the agriculture department — but tending to
greenery on a rooftop will be. The recent renovations the
university made to the Agriculture Building’s roof this past
summer may seem like simple repairs, but the roof has been built
to double as its own ecosystem...SIU-Edwardsville already has
green roofs on three of its buildings, said
Bill Retzlaff, chairman of the
department of biological sciences at SIUE. The green roof on its
engineering building houses six projects used for research..."
[3.1.10]
NYC Students, Officials to Host Design Unveiling Event of Public
School
ps41 News Release
Greenwich Village, NY. "New York City public school students
and officials will host a design unveiling ceremony for a
first-of-its-kind Greenroof Environmental Literacy Laboratory (GELL)
on March 2 at PS41 in Greenwich Village..." [3.1.10]
DM concludes second phase of Green Roofs awareness campaigns
WAM - Emirates News Agency, by Staff
Dubai, UAE. "Dubai Municipality has concluded the second
phase of the awareness campaigns on Green Roofs
project in the Global Village, which was held from 18 to 28
February. Engineering models of the project were placed at the
Global Village to explain the idea of the project in a
simplified form to the public..." [3.1.10]
Absorbing ideas address runoff
Atlanta Journal Constitution, by Heather Vogell
Atlanta, GA. "Ideas that sounded utopian a few years ago
— such as roof gardens and pavement that absorbs
water — are cropping up across the country to meet new mandates
for controlling rainfall after it hits the ground...The city
expects its seven acres of green roofs to more
than double in the next few years..." [3.1.10]
Roof garden opens at Liverpool University
BBC News, by Staff
February 26, 2010
Liverpool, UK. "Students at the University of Liverpool
have created an urban roof garden on the roof of
the Guild building in Mount Pleasant, Liverpool...The garden
provides a place to grow herbs and salad and includes two
beehives and bird nests to encourage local wildlife to the
area..."
It's Alive! That Roof is Alive!
Huffington Post Blog, by David Becker
February 26, 2010
New York, NY. "...But what if you started putting farms
in new and unexpected areas closer to home? Areas with plenty of
sunlight. Look up. Think green roofs. Building
owners motivated to lower HVAC costs, speed building approvals,
and lower construction costs are turning to green roofs..."
Green Olympic Games track energy savings
Los Angeles Times Blog, by Kim Murphy
February 26, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "...While the technology allows
Olympics organizers to pat themselves on the back for
innovations such as green roofs, waste-to-energy
power generation, solar panels and reuse of waste heat,
developers say the more important targets are older, drafty
buildings that need to tighten up on their power consumption..."
Walmart to sit atop Lowe's at 25th Street Station by fall 2011
Baltimore Sun, by Edward Gunts
February 26, 2010
Baltimore, MD. "...Walmart, the world's largest retailer,
would join Baltimore's first Lowe's Home Center as tenants in
the center. The new store would generate 250 jobs, according to
company officials...The new store will have a vegetated "green
roof" covering more than an acre..."
Growing Up -- On The Roof
Calgary Herald, by Trent Edwards
February 26, 2010
Calgary, Canada. "Green roofs: an ancient
idea, and yet so cutting-edge as a way to make modern buildings
more sustainable. But setting up a green roof in Calgary today
isn't as simple as it was for an ancient Viking or Japanese
farmer laying sod on their home. Green roofs today
need an insulating membrane, city bylaw officials' approval and
a whole lot of know-how..."
Green Thumb: Mid-South Hydrangea Society hosts sought-after
plant curator
Memphis Commercial Appeal, by Christine Arpe Gang
February 26, 2010
Memphis, TN. "...While most of us spend our lives trying
to get plants to thrive in the ground we walk on, others look up
to find new gardening frontiers in green roofs...Andy
Sudbrock's passion for plants and the natural world has taken in
him in two directions. He owns Nashville Natives, a nursery and
landscape business specializing in using native plants for
environmental restoration and landscaping. In his other
business,
Southeast Green Roofs, he
grows sedums and other succulents for green roof applications..."
Algonquin College's EDC TTBS building will be covered in an
undulating green roof
Ecofriend Blog, by Staff
February 25, 2010
Ottawa, Canada. "...The unique form of the building
blends into the landscape and uses color to animate the facades.
With parks and garden spaces for added greenery, the building
also features an undulating green roof that covers
over 50 percent of the surface. This green wall enhances
bio-diversity and reduces storm water run-off, conserves energy
and reduces urban heat island effect..."
Green roof installation made easy
Nursery Management & Production, by Kelli Rhoda
February 25, 2010
US. "More efficient green rooftop installation methods
mean more profit...Green roofs are a wonder of
engineering, but it can be a labor-intensive process. But
Express Blower, a
manufacturer and distributor of pneumatic blowing equipment in
Eugene, Ore., has a solution. By pairing up with pneumatic
blower truck owners, contractors are saving time and money, and
truck owners are expanding their services and increasing
profit..."
With tubs of dirt, a 16-year-old New Canaan student schemes to
green the high school
New Canaan News, by Brittany Lyte
February 25, 2010
New Canaan, CT. "...Milunovich spent part of her February
vacation in an eight-hour Certified Green Professional course
learning about green building...Last year she founded the
green roof club at New Canaan High School. And perhaps
most impressive, Milunovich has launched this club into a
no-nonsense campaign to convince the New Canaan Public School
administration to install a green roof at the high
school..."
New Fire Design Standard Approved for Green Roofs
GRHC Media Release
February 24, 2010
Toronto, Canada. "Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC)
and SPRI, Inc., the trade association representing the
manufacturers of commercial roofing systems and component
suppliers, are pleased to announce that the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) has accepted their VF-1, Fire Design
Standard for Vegetative Roofs as an American National Standard.
This document was created to provide a design and installation
reference for roofing professionals to help eliminate the risk
of fire on vegetative / green roofs..."
Dare we tamper with the process of rain?
Wicked Local Roslindale, by Dr. Karen Weber
February 24, 2010
Rolinsdale, MA. "Why do we not have a huge refrigerator
to cool the earth down and in winter make snow? Fortunately,
nature has provided us with a unique cooling system...One
solution that has been consistently overlooked is that of
green roofs, or vegetative roof coverings. By using
plants to cover our buildings, we recreate a natural balance on
our human-made world..."
How to turn blueprints green
MIT News, by David L. Chandler
February 24, 2010
Cambridge, MA. "Open-source
program developed at MIT allows architects and engineers to
optimize a building’s energy systems early in the design
process...He developed comparisons based on three types of
roofs: conventional dark asphalt roofs, cool roofs (such as
white roofs) and green roofs (with a layer of soil
and grass or other plants growing in it)..."
Vancouver's Green Olympics: Exceptions that Change the Rules
WorldChanging Blog, by Alex Aylett
February 23, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "...The stunning new LEED certified
athlete's village and convention centre have been the
centerpiece of what is being touted as the most sustainable
Games ever. What's one green-roof on a convention
centre (even if it is the size of four football fields) if the
rest of the city just keeps chugging along the same as always?
But for Vancouver, these two super green developments are icons
of a larger shift. Rather than being exceptions that prove the
rules of unsustainable urbanization, these are exceptions that
have helped change the rules..."
Georgian CCHR promotes sustainable architecture with an
insulating green roof
Ecofriend Blog, by Staff
February 23, 2010
Atlanta, GA. "Antoine Predock Architect in collaboration
with Perdock_Frane and Moody-Nolan have designed the Center for
Civil and Human Rights (CCHR) for Atlanta, Georgia that
expresses the universal and timeless struggles for human and
civil rights...While normal roofs waste space are hidden from
view, the new CCHR’s roof will be layered with a patchwork of
gardens, that apart from adding a green touch to the
architecture also serve as natural cooling systems..."
Green-roof bylaw earns mixed reviews
The Toronto Observer, by Tanis Reynolds
February 22, 2010
Toronto, Canada. "Toronto’s new green-roof by-law has
earned praise from environmentalists but concern from local
developers who worry about the impact of the by-law on their
bottom line. The green-roof by-law, approved by Toronto City
Council in May 2009, has won kudos from environmental groups who
claim green roofs are both economically and environmentally
viable..."
Urban blossoms
Norristown Times Herald, by Staff
February 22, 2010
Philadelphia, PA. "Temple University Ambler Landscape
Architecture and Horticulture students will add a vibrant green
to the gray shades of the urban landscape. Temple’s exhibit — "METROmorphosis
— Transforming the Urban World" — meshes perfectly with the
Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society’s 2010 Flower Show theme, "Passport to the
World."...Green roofs, urban beekeeping, vertical
farming, rain water harvesting, solar and wind farms, waste
recycling, and edible landscaping are some of the innovative
ideas at various stages of development and application that will
shape the future cities..."
Transport for London unveils UK's largest hydrogen fuel cell
The Guardian, by Cath Everett
February 22, 2010
London, UK. "Transport for London (TfL) hopes to cut its
carbon emissions by 40 per cent and save £90,000 per annum on
utility bills with a newly unveiled green power plant at its
head office that includes the UK's largest hydrogen fuel
cell...Solar panels will be introduced to heat water, while
green roofs will be installed to boost insulation,
absorb rainwater and improve local ecology..."
Guangzhou Metro Authority Headquarters will be insulated by
green roofs
Ecofriend Blog, by Staff
February 22, 2010
Guangzhou, China. "Perkins Eastman have designed a
sustainable building to serve as the headquarters of the
Guangzhou Metro Authority...Due to the tropical climate of
China, the building design integrates a terracotta sunscreen
system on the exterior envelope that contributes to a reduction
in the cooling system’s energy consumption. Moreover,
green roofs insulate the building and prevent storm
water runoff..."
City needs to redo its recipe for handling food, Manhattan
Borough President Scott Stringer says
New York Daily News, by Sondra Wolfer
February 19, 2010
Manhattan, NY. "The city should amend its PlaNYC program
to include a massive overhaul of the way it deals with
food...The city should facilitate the development of
rooftop gardens and create an NYC Urban Agriculture
Program, which would provide access, resources and information
to promote community gardening..."
Mike Holmes: Olympic Village gets gold for roofs
Kelowna.com, by Mike Holmes
February 18, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "When you're watching coverage of the
2010 Olympic & Paralympic Games, take a look at the roofs of the
Olympic Village. They're green, and I think they represent
exactly the kind of design we need to be incorporating in all
developments, especially large ones in urban areas...A
green roof provides an oasis for wildlife – birds and
insects can live on it. And I think green roofs
just simply look good..."
A sneak peek at new Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation campus
KING5.com, by Deborah Feldman
February 18, 2010
Seattle, WA. "...It is the future of the world's largest
charitable foundation and designed to combine the best
environmental practices with some stunning aesthetics...The
living roof that we have, and the million gallon
water storage to recycle that water..."
Green Jobs Will Exceed Trained Workers, Says Report
The Epoch Times, by Cindy Chan
February 18, 2010
Ottawa, Canada. "Jobs in the environmental sector are
growing rapidly and Canada needs to catch up to train more
workers to meet the demand, says a recent report. The Canadian
Council on Learning (CCL), the country’s national organization
for educational research, says that in 2011 the demand for
environmental employees is expected to increase by 8.1 percent,
fuelled by rising interest in environmental issues..."
Tour 'Home of the Future,' on display at Vancouver's Olympics
USA Today, by Wendy Koch
February 18, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "...Outside is a panel of plants such
as native ferns and mosses by
Green Living Technologies,
a company based in Rochester, N.Y., that's been building
green walls worldwide. The wall reduces storm water
runoff, filters air pollutants, absorbs carbon dioxide,
insulates the home and also provides shade..."
8 Things You Should Know About Designing a Roof
Insurance News Net, Press Release
February 18, 2010
US. "Roofing industry expert Joseph Schwetz maintains
that there is an important difference between what building
codes require and what the construction insurance
industry—notably mutual insurance firm Factory
Mutual—demands—and that this difference can lead to problems in
designing a roof...Be prepared to do extra work to get approval
for a green roof. Schwetz says that FM is close to
finalizing its requirements for vegetated roofing..."
Roofs in Rexdale get cool
insideTORONTO.com, by Jordan Maxwell
February 18, 2010
Toronto, Canada. "Even though the winter season still
reigns, Rexdale is about to become just a little bit cooler.
Cool Rexdale, a new economic, social and environmental program,
was launched this month to save energy by installing green
or cool roofs on buildings while engaging local youth in
the project...The initiative is part of the City of Toronto's
Eco-Roof Incentive Program..."
Blue Forest's off-grid 'Eco Classroom' also has a green roof
Ecofriend Blog, by Staff
February 18, 2010
UK. "...Constructed using sustainably harvested timber
and incorporating a green roof, the Eco-Classroom
also features a green roof that allows the
structure to blend perfectly with the woodland. The structure is
also the first building in the UK that processes harvested
rainwater from the green roof into hot and cold
drinking water using solar energy..."
Academy of Sciences' living roof flourishing
San Francisco Examiner, by John Upton
February 18, 2010
San Francisco, CA. "Winter rains have helped prepare
Golden Gate Park's newest and most native habitat to flourish
this spring. The carefully managed experimental ecosystem that
occupies the undulating 197,000-square-foot rooftop of the
California Academy of Sciences has evolved in the 17 months
since the new building opened. The living rooftop
slopes up and down to form large mounds that create
microclimates, with some areas windier and drier than others,
which has helped to create a tapestry of native plant
populations..."
Winter Olympics gets a touch of greenery
Gizmag, by Tannith Cattermole
February 17, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "When Vancouver won the competition to
host the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games thoughts
immediately turned to construction, and one of the most
awe-inspiring initiatives has to be the redesign of the
Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Center (VCAEC).
Currently hosting the international broadcasting and media hub
for the Winter Olympics, this waterfront building is not only
beautiful and functional but is environmentally sustainable,
boasting a green electricity program, a seawater heating and
cooling system and the largest "living roof" in
Canada populated with 40,000 plants and grasses..."
The Olympic Effect
Huffington Post Blog, by Gregory Unruh
February 17, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "Potential host cities spend millions
attracting the Olympic Games. The hope for a return on their
investment is largely economic...We're seeing it with the
Vancouver winter games. The city boasts an Olympic Village
constructed to the highest LEED® green building standards
fitting facilities with now de rigeuer green roofs,
solar panels and water harvesting..."
Too much pavement, too little oversight: EPA to tackle
stormwater runoff
Environmental Health News, by Sarah Coefield
February 17, 2010
US. "Across the country, stormwater runoff hammers
thousands of rivers, streams and lakes. Communities are left to
struggle with the consequences of too much pavement and too
little oversight. Now the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
is gearing up to tighten federal stormwater rules that have been
criticized by environmental groups and deemed ineffective by a
national panel of researchers...The rules may include guidelines
for techniques such as rain gardens, rain barrels, green
roofs, green streets and porous pavements..."
Firm selects winning design for proposed visitors center in
Newark
NJBIZ, by Shankar P.
February 16, 2010
Newark, NJ. "A proposed visitor center in Newark has
attracted interest from 200 design firms in more than 200
countries, but it was a domestic firm, Long Island, N.Y.-based
design and architecture firm Di Domenico & Partners, that won
the winning entry in the Newark Visitor Center International
Design Contest...The winning design focused on sustainability,
including a 'green roof' with landscaping,
rainwater harvesting and features to ward off heat generated by
pave environments..."
TD donates $50000 toward Vancouver Island University's
Aboriginal centre
CNW Group, Press Release
February 16, 2010
Nanaimo, Canada. "A traditional First Nations feast at
Vancouver Island University (VIU) honoured TD Bank Financial
Group on Monday for its contribution of $50,000 toward The
Gathering Place, a new Aboriginal centre on the Nanaimo
campus...Waugh describes The Gathering Place as a holistic
integration of sustainable strategies. The green roof
reduces storm water runoff and reduces energy demands for
cooling and heating..."
Ecoroofs the topic of event from Bureau of Environmental
Services
OregonLive.com, by Carrie Sturrock
February 15, 2010
Portland, OR. "Ever considered putting a vegetated
roof on your home or business? Then don't miss
Ecoroof Portland
2010. Building and home owners can get all their questions
answered at the March 12-13 event sponsored by the City of
Portland Bureau of Environmental Services. The roof systems
absorb rain and reduce stormwater runoff and are supposed to
last longer than conventional roofing..."
Horticulture, arboriculture careers begin at Olds College
Edmonton Journal, by Staff
February 14, 2010
Edmonton, Canada. "...Through innovative research
activities horticultural students now have access to use of
alternative energy strategies that will open doors to brand new
fields of endeavor such as 'green roof' technology
and environmentally sustainable yards..."
The greenest Olympics ever? Consider medals, transit, buildings
USA Today, by Wendy Koch
February 13, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "Is this the greenest Olympics ever?
The 2010 Winter Olympics, now underway in Vancouver, have taken
steps to make the games eco-friendly...The
Vancouver Convention Centre,
home to the media center, has a living roof of
400,000 native plants...All the buildings have green roofs,
cisterns to catch rainwater, passive solar design, upgraded
insulation and windows as well as carpets and paint with low or
no VOC..."
An Olympic accomplishment
CTV.ca, by Lisa Rochon
February 12, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "...There's a shift away from exultant
views of the mountains to something more intimate and,
ultimately, more urban. Green roofs have
established an exhilarating new visual rhythm. The buildings
turn the corner in elegant ways, the landscaping is generous,
and there are open corridors in the non-market (affordable)
housing for natural cross-ventilation..."
What Will Vancouver Look Like When the Winter Games Are Gone?
Fast Company, by Jesse Ashlock
February 12, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "...As the largest city ever to host a
Winter Olympics, Vancouver made sustainability the centerpiece
of its design strategy, an approach that's evident in the
high-density Southeast False Creek
Olympic Village complex, where units will be sold as condos
after the Games (assuming anyone's buying). Built to a LEED Gold
standard, it's won plaudits from environmental advocates for its
green roofs, rainwater reuse, and integration with
parkland and public transit..."
Green Gasoline Station Goes Old School EV Style
EarthTechling Blog, by Susan DeFreitas
February 12, 2010
Europe. "...The brainchild of Geotectura, a European
design firm, in association with Malka Architects, the charging
station is known as Green Gasoline...natural ventilation, on
site renewable energy (including wind and solar) that powers the
building as well as cars, along with water reuse and a
green roof."
A sustainable stay
Explore Howard County, by Judy Colbert
February 11, 2010
Baltimore, MD. "...When the
Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel opened, it had the
largest green roof in the city. More than 60,000
one-inch plugs of six different plant species were used on the
32,000 square feet on the East Building roof. This reduces storm
water runoff, lowers the cooling loads, eliminates heat islands
(no blacktop roof) and creates habitats for birds and other
wildlife..."
Working in a green building feels good
Mother Nature Network, by Melissa Hincha-Ownby
February 11, 2010
Denver, CO. "One employee at the Environmental Protection
Agency describes what it is like to work in a green
building...Wendy works at the
EPA’s Region 8 Headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The
building features a green roof, which serves two
purposes: reducing the heat island effect and managing
stormwater..."
Port of Portland headquarters, PDX parking nearly complete
OregonLive.com, by Amy Hsuan
February 10, 2010
Portland, OR. "When the Port of Portland's new home opens
in May, the 200,000-square-foot headquarters will be heated and
cooled by 200 geothermal wells. Its 10,000-square-foot
eco-roof, sprouting plants and grasses, will overlook
Portland International Airport..."
Freight Container Retreat
GreenMuze, by Staff
February 10, 2010
London, UK. "Converted freight containers live on as a
lakeside residence at the Scottish Cove Park artist retreat,
located on the Rosneath peninsula. The cube units, designed by
London-based Urban Space Management, offer accommodation and
work space units for visiting artists...Each recycled freight
container unit has a kitchen, dining area, shower room, bedroom,
balcony and living roof."
Vancouver to Host International Green Roof and Wall Conference
GRHC, Media Release
February 9, 2010
Toronto, Canada. "Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the
North American green roof industry association and the British
Columbia Institute of Technology (academic co-host) are pleased
to announce that they will be hosting the
2010 Green
Roof and Green Wall Conference – CitiesAlive! in
Vancouver. The Call for Papers process is now underway, and
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is actively soliciting paper
abstracts for presentation at the Conference..."
National Science and Engineering Week 2010 for teachers
Culture24, by Rachel Hayward
February 9, 2010
London, UK. "National Science and Engineering Week, the
nation's largest celebration of science, runs from March 12 – 21
2010 and there are some great resources on the British Science
Association website to engage your pupils with science...What on
Earth is also offering a biodiverse green roof to
a school or educational building in the country that
collectively uploads the most photos before the end of March.
This has been sponsored by green roof developer
Sika Sarnafil in conjunction with wildlife expert and
Dusty Gedge..."
Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards presented to 10,
including three in design
Chicago Tribune Blog, by Staff
February 9, 2010
Chicago, IL. "Chicago’s community development world
celebrated its present and future at the Hyatt Regency Chicago
with the 16th Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards...UrbanWorks
for UNO Veterans Memorial School Campus...The project also
incorporates a host of environmentally sustainable elements –
including a green roof, energy efficiency measures
and solar panels..."
LMN Architects-designed Vancouver Convention Centre West is
World’s First Convention Centre to Achieve LEED Platinum Rating
Earth Times, Press Release
February 9, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "As media from around the world
descend upon Vancouver, B.C. for the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic
Winter Games, they will experience in the Games’ broadcast media
center an unparalleled model of sustainability...A prominent
feature to be recognized around the world is the
centre’s six-acre living roof, which is Canada’s largest and
the biggest non-industrial living roof in North
America. Landscaped with 400,000 native plants and grasses, the
green roof acts as an insulator to mediate the
exterior air temperature, as well as contributes to the
building’s stormwater utilization and integrates with the
waterfront landscape ecosystem..."
Florida International Unveils Green Roof
Florida Nursing News, by Staff
February 8, 2010
Miami, FL. "Florida International University, Miami
officials announced the completion of Miami’s first “Green
Roof,” a prototype “xeriscape” roof made of vegetation
aimed at reducing the building’s environmental impact and
maintenance costs, according to a news release. The roof places
Miami on the list of cities that participate in the
Environmental Protection Agency’s “Green Roof”
Initiative..."
Tamagawa Takashimaya commercial facility features a mesh of
gardens
Ecofriend Blog, by Staff
February 8, 2010
Tokyo, Japan. "Green roofs and plantations
not only improve the air quality but also better the aesthetic
appeal of any facility. This is the reason we see buildings with
green roofs and vertical gardens.
Japanese architects Kengo Kuma have designed a commercial
building in Tokyo that carries gardens on the roofs and
borders..."
Building of green spaces continues
The GW Hatchet, by Kara Dunford
February 8, 2010
DC. "The University's effort to increase green space on
campus is progressing with construction continuing on two major
green spaces, the Square 54 green roof and the
Square 80 green space. Square 54 will include more than 26,000
feet of green roof structures, including 18,000
square feet on the roof of the below-grade parking and loading
structure that will function as a courtyard..."
WEG Part Of 'Cool Rexdale' Program
Standardbred Canada, by Staff
February 8, 2010
Toronto, Canada. "Partners in Project Green today
announced the launch of Cool Rexdale, a new program that will
help to improve the economic, social and environmental vitality
of Rexdale, one of Toronto's priority neighborhoods...Cool and
green roofs can help businesses reduce their
heating and cooling costs and extend the life of their roofs.
Green roofs, which support rooftop vegetation, also
help clean our air, enhance biodiversity and retain storm water
and its pollutants..."
Dubai Pearl Achieves Prestigious LEED Gold Pre-Certification
Al-Bawaba, by Staff
February 8, 2010
United Arab Emirates. "Dubai Pearl, the 20 million sq ft
integrated sustainable destination, overlooking the Palm
Jumeirah, has attainted pre-certification from the US Green
Building Council (USGBC) at the Gold level for Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)...extensive grey water
collection and re-use, green roofs and heat
recovery systems will be integrated into the development..."
Fact Sheet: News on the Recovery Act
American Chronicle, by Staff
February 7, 2010
Bronx, NY. "...the borough is getting a $4 million
federal stimulus grant to create a free job-training program
that will prepare about 400 borough residents for 'green jobs.'
Program participants will get job training at several South
Bronx sites that focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy
industries, training in such areas as building green roofs,
retrofitting buildings and planting trees..."
Vermonters shape space, better and better
BurlingtonFreePress.com, by Joel Banner Baird
February 7, 2010
Burlington, VT. "Vermont’s architects, bless ’em, are
stepping up to the challenge. Displays of some of their latest
(and greatest, some would argue) work will surface Wednesday and
Thursday at the “Better
Buildings by Design” conference, held at the Sheraton
Burlington Hotel and Conference Center...A living, 'green'
roof planted with sedum (in patterns designed to appeal
to airborne viewers) drains to a 35000-gallon underground tank -
and the water is used to wash aircraft..."
County stormwater shift to promote more 'green'
SoMdNews.com, by Meredith Somers
February 5, 2010
Charles County, MA. "The preservation of Charles County's
natural landscape and the promotion of conservation-friendly
drainage systems is the way Charles County development will be
headed in the coming months...Alternative surfaces include such
things as green roofs and permeable surfaces, the
latter of which is already in use throughout Southern
Maryland..."
Building's secret garden top idea
Otago Daily Times, by Allison Rudd
February 5, 2010
Dunedin, New Zealand. "Passers-by will never see the
secret the University of Otago's new psychology building is
hiding. High above the campus, the six-level building on Leith
Walk has a roof garden - not a space to be admired
or sat in, but one contributing to the building's rainwater
collection and recycling system..."
A High School For Green Teens
Huffington Post Blog, by Kerry Trueman
February 4, 2010
New York, NY. "...At his current position teaching at the
Discovery High School in the Bronx, Ritz just oversaw the
installation of a living, edible green wall in
partnership with a for-profit enterprise called
Green Living Technologies, a pioneering developer of
cutting edge urban agricultural systems...Green Living
Technologies is sponsoring a team of Ritz's students, bringing
them to Boston later this month to be the first high students in
America to be trained and certified as green wall
and green roof installers..."
'Green' building in Hempfield now tells its story on the screen
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, by Maryann Gogniat Eidemiller
February 4, 2010
Hempfield, PA. "The roof and grounds surrounding the
building known as GreenForge in Hempfield were white with snow
last week. But Westmoreland County's ultimate model of
conservation was as green as ever...Jim Pillsbury, the
district's hydraulic engineer and specialist in storm water
management, worked on the project that turned the roof into
Westmoreland County's first -- and, so far, only -- green
roof. Instead of shingles, the surface is covered with
thousands of sedum plants in nine varieties..."
The urban Ewok village
The Martlet, by Glen O'Neill
February 4, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "Imagine flying over any major city
and, instead of seeing vast, square cement rooftops, you see
parks and walking-path bridges that connect to adjacent rooftop
parks...Vancouver is well known for its two large-sized
green roofs. In 1995, the
Vancouver Public Library had a 1,500-square-metre green roof
installed. As well,
Vancouver’s Convention Centre is home to a six-acre green
roof, which houses thousands of indigenous plants..."
Over the Top: Data Shows "Green" Roofs Could Cool Urban Heat
Islands and Boost Water Conservation
Scientific American, by Katie Moisse
February 2, 2010
New York, NY. "Quantifying their urban climate
change-mitigating effects is an important step in getting green
roofing initiatives off the ground...Green roofs
can cool near-surface air temperatures by an average of 16.4
degrees Celsius per unit area...A four-inch-thick green
roof can hold a gallon of water per square foot..."
LEED Gold Certification for Cape Cod Green Home Achieved by Cape
Associates and ZeroEnergy Design
PR Web, Press Release
February 2, 2010
Cape Cod, MA. "Modern Cape Cod house earns both ENERGY
STAR and LEED Gold certification for green features including
solar electric, a green roof, and the use of
sustainable materials...The house includes a wide variety of
green features including solar electric, solar hot water, a
living green roof, low flow fixtures and toilets,
local and rapidly renewable materials, stormwater management,
and a whole house ventilation and allergen filtration system..."
Green industrial roofing
PlantServices.com, by Robert C. Lichy
February 2, 2010
US. "Evolution is yielding effective
technology...Manufacturing plants located in urban or suburban
areas frequently are guilty of contributing to what has been
termed the Urban Heat Island effect because of large, black
parking lots and dark roofs. While a white roof might reduce the
negative effect, a green roof might actually
mitigate the heat island. Green roofs not only
cool and humidify the ambient air, they filter out dust and smog
particles. Plants absorb aerosol contaminants in the ambient
air, leaving the air safer for all of us..."
Israel's 'Living Building' In Jerusalem Grows With the Seasons
Green Prophet Blog, by Maurice Picow
February 2, 2010
Israel. “While many countries are taking pride in their
sustainable of 'green' building technologies, and LEED
certification as we learn from Qatar, Israel may have gotten the
upper hand by unveiling what it refers to as a 'living
building.'...The roof is a 'living roof,' and not
a 'green roof.' What is a green roof?
It is a roof of plants that require watering. A living
roof is comprised of native Middle Eastern flora which
bloom according to the seasons and do not require any
watering..."
Exploring the potential of the ground above our heads
BU Today, by Leslie Friday
February 1, 2010
Boston, MA. "Opportunity is in the eye of the beholder.
Flying low over Boston University, some might see a congested
Commonwealth Avenue bordered by a multitude of buildings and
parking lots. Others might see acre upon acre of available
space, where gardens could grow, energy could be produced, and
scientific theories could be put to the test...With partial
funding from Phillips’ carbon emissions project, they plan to
build boxlike surfaces covered in each of the three 'green
roof' options, and place them on the CAS roof...."
Counting bugs on the California Academy of Sciences' living roof
SF State Campus Headlines, by Elaine Bible
January 29, 2010
San Francisco, CA. "The California Academy of Sciences'
living rooftop is teeming with insects. Since it
opened in 2008, biology graduate student Jessica Van Den Berg
has sampled the wildlife in this unusual habitat, counting tiny
pygmy grasshoppers, honeybees and spiders. One find surprised
her: an iridescent ground beetle never before seen in San
Francisco..."
D.C. Greenworks names new leader
Washington Business Journal, by Vandana Sinha
January 29, 2010
DC. "DC Greenworks, a nonprofit that promotes and
installs green roofs, has named a new chief from
the Bethesda business community. Peter Ensign, a longtime
architect and former vice president of community development for
the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, will
replace Sara Loveland as executive director of the D.C.
nonprofit. Ensign will take the helm of a group where a key
project has been managing the D.C. Department of the
Environment’s green roof subsidy program, which
has grown in the last few years to $5 per square foot and up to
$20,000 per project..."
White House debuts energy-saving plans for US government
USA Today, by Staff
January 29, 2010
US. "The U.S. government, which has held recycling
competitions, is expanding its eco-efforts. Today, the White
House plans to announce that the federal government, the
nation's largest energy consumer, will reduce its greenhouse gas
emissions by 28% over the next decade...The U.S. Postal Service
has built the largest green roof in New York City
on a seven-story mail-processing building..."
Transbay Terminal project gets stimulus funds
San Francisco Chronicle, by John Coté and Michael Cabanatuan
January 29, 2010
San Francisco, CA. "The final funding piece appears to be
in place for a new Transbay Terminal in San Francisco after U.S.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Thursday the project
will get $400 million in federal stimulus funds...Coming on the
heels of a $171 million federal loan announced this week, local
officials said the stimulus grant was the last piece of
financing necessary to begin demolition and then construction of
a terminal for high-speed and commuter rail, along with regional
buses, all under one landscaped roof..." Also read
SF’s Green Transbay Terminal Secures $171 Million for
Construction, by Ariel Schwartz of Inhabitat.com.
How to Bring Green into Your School
GREENandSAVE, by Kelly Neylan
January 28, 2010
US. "Many of us are interested in leaving the planet a
little better for our children. Our children spend so much time
in their learning environments that the school is a great place
to continue your greening efforts...Looking for an interesting
or green lesson for your classroom? You may be interested in the
green roof education guide for teachers and middle-school
students. Check out interactive guide, teacher’s resource and
lesson plan on green roofs..."
OGS to spend $1 million to 'green' state office roof
WRGB, by Chris White
January 28, 2010
Albany, NY. "It's one of the first ‘green’ roofs
for a state building in New York. The Office of General Services
announced today results of a bidding process to build a
vegetated roof system at the Holland Avenue Office
Building in Albany. The lowest bidder, of the ten applications,
was Titan Roofing, Inc. of Chicopee, MA, with $1,082,900..."
The Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport Opens in Time for
Winter Games
Earthtimes, Press Release
January 28, 2010
Vancouver, Canada. "Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide,
Inc. announces the opening of The Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver
Airport, a sophisticated, new-build hotel in Richmond, B.C...The
hotel incorporates green elements into the design and function.
A focus of the design is a “Living Wall” that
incorporates 360 living panels consisting of more than 9,000
native plants, which assist in irrigation. The hotel also has a
Green Roof system with a large landscaped area
consisting of drought tolerant sedum and ornamental grass with
long curved arches to emulate the flight paths and movements of
planes from the nearby airport..."
Massive 131 Acre Green Roof Planned for Seoul
Inhabitat Blog, by Mike Chino
January 28, 2010
South Korea. "The architects behind South Korea’s new eco
dome have hatched another stunning project that plants a 131
acre green roof in the heart of Seoul. Designed by
Samoo Architects & Engineers, the plan renovates the run-down
Garak Wholesale Market with an eco-upgrade topped with a
sprawling public garden..."
Apply for a Green Award in Boston
Allston-Brighton TAB, by Staff
January 28, 2010
Boston, MA. "Nominations are now open for the
Mayor’s 2010 Green Awards, which recognize local
sustainability and environmental awareness leaders in three
different categories – Green Business Awards, Green Residential
Awards, and Bike Friendly Business Awards. Constructing offices
with recycled plastic bottles, providing a fleet of bicycles for
commuting employees, and creating rooftop gardens
are just some of the innovative approaches that businesses are
taking to green Boston..."
Two Brooklyn Firms Receive NYC Business Solutions Training Funds
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, by Staff
January 27, 2010
Brooklyn, NY. "The New York City Department of Small
Business Services (SBS) reports that more than $760,000 in NYC
Business Solutions Training Funds is being awarded to help 14
local businesses train their employees...Greensulate
LLC, a Brooklyn-based designer and installer of
green roofs, walls and other building materials,
which will use a $37,500 Training Funds award, matched by a
$22,000 employer contribution, to train 12 employees in sales,
marketing, plus green roof design and techniques.
The program is projected to result in five new hires with an
average wage increase of 48 percent for all currently employed
trainee..."
Integrated Biofilter System for Wastewater Treatments
ibridgeNetwork, by Bradley Swope
January 27, 2010
Pennsylvania, PA. "The disclosed invention is an
integrated biofilter constructed of inexpensive and locally
available materials to decontaminate both gray and black
wastewater, allowing these waters to be reused. The system
combines a subsurface flow wetland, a living wall,
living columns, and a green roof to create a
complex of micro habitats for diverse bacteria and plant
communities..."
Toronto launches green initiatives designed to build a more
sustainable city
Canadian Architect, by Staff
January 27, 2010
Toronto, Canada. "On January 31, 2010, the City of
Toronto will introduce two initiatives designed to "green"
Toronto's new building stock: the Toronto Green Standard and
Green Roof Bylaw...Toronto's Green Roof Bylaw, the
first bylaw in North America to require and govern the
construction of green roofs on new developments.
The bylaw will apply to permit applications for residential,
commercial and institutional developments, while industrial
buildings have until January 31, 2011 to include provisions for
a green roof in new construction..."
Jerusalem Bird Observatory opens visitors center
Jerusalem Dispatch, by Dan Slobodkin
January 27, 2010
Jerusalem. "...Located on the Knesset grounds between the
Knesset building and the High Court, the observatory, with its
“living” roof, is the world's only birdwatching
spot situated at a parliament...The rooftop features more than
700 bulbs and plants native to Israel, making it an attractive
spot for a variety of species..."
Ross School Achieves Silver-Rating LEED Certification
Stephen M. Ross School of Business, by Bernie DeGroat
January 26, 2010
Ann Arbor, MI. "School earns high marks for use of
recycled building materials, green roofs, energy
performance, water efficiency and more. The Ross School of
Business is among the best in the world for research and
education on sustainable enterprise, so it should come as no
surprise that the school's new building is now officially
LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington
D.C.-based, nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders..."
Make-designed sustainable footballer's house goes for planning
Building Design, by Ruth Bloomfield
January 26, 2010
UK. "Make Architects has designed this ultra-sustainable
home for England and Manchester United footballer Gary Neville.
Plans for the house, which have taken three years to perfect,
have now been submitted to Bolton Council...A wind turbine will
provide power for the property itself and a neighbouring house,
while covering much of the house in a green roof
of meadow grasses and wildflowers will reduce energy usage..."
Instead of Building New Green Places, Green the Ones We Have
Opposing Views, by Kaid Benfield
January 26, 2010
DC. "...Speaking of green roofs, you are
unlikely to encounter any greener than the one I recently had
the pleasure of touring, on top of the
DC headquarters of the American Society of Landscape Architects
and pictured just above. The fact sheet on the roof, intended as
a demonstration project, says that the design includes two
elevated 'waves' that create a pleasant foliage-enclosed space
and block the unsightly view of the rooftop HVAC systems..."
AgeSong Bayside Park Brings Holistic Elder Care to Emeryville
Business Wire, Press Release
January 25, 2010
Emeryville, CA. "...The five-story 116,366 square-foot
residential complex offers independent and assisted-living
apartments for senior adults in a vibrant and healing
environment that reflects AgeSong’s holistic approach to
care...A 'green' roof is planted with native
vegetation that filters out particulates from rainwater runoff
prior to entering the storm drainage system..."
Urban Development And Ecosystem Go Hand In Hand
Bru Direct, by Edwin Eng
January 25, 2010
Brunei. "The Development Master Plan for Brunei
Darnssalam's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is being prepared by
an international group of planning, environmental, economic and
infrastructure consultants...Among the suggestions highlighted
in the press release included using permeable materials for
paving driveways and parking areas, creating 'Green Roofs'
on new buildings that can absorb rainwater and slow down run-off
water, creating open areas around the site with vegetation that
can effectively retain and slow down water flows..."
Builders say nature cannot be ignored
Inquirer.net, by Tessa Salazar
January 22, 2010
Philippines. "Take nature into consideration, and the
rewards will be plenty. Ignore nature, and the consequences are
certain to be dire. The country’s top builders say they have
always built on this principle...cites Celadon Park and Senta,
which also have green roofs; Treveia, as part of
Nuvali, has sustainable features further enhanced. She cites
bioswales, a retention pond which serves both as a feature and
sustainability element..."
Network Rail national centre given green light
MK News, by Staff
January 22, 2010
UK. "Network Rail has been given the go-ahead to build a
new national centre in Milton Keynes...The design for the new
building includes eco-friendly features including 'living
roofs', which will encourage diverse habitats for flora
and fauna in the centre of the city, and a rainwater harvesting
system which will be used to flush toilets and irrigate
landscaping..."
Green rooftop project brightens roof at SIUE
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, by Staff
January 22, 2010
Belleville, IL. "Belleville-based Taylor Roofing Inc.
recently installed a "green roof terrace" at Rendleman Hall at
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville...The terrace garden
project includes a roof garden drainage system,
root barrier, protection fabric, aluminum roof garden edging and
aluminum drain boxes. The benefits include improved stormwater
run-off management, year-round energy efficiency and reduced
rooftop noise infiltration."
An In-Depth Look at the Hospital of the Future
Fast Company, by Kate Rockwood
January 21, 2010
US. "The hospital of the future is designed not just to
heal the sick but also to help sustain the environment.
Hospitals have a brutal effect on the earth. They consume twice
as much energy as typical office buildings and operate
24/7...Every hospital needs an oasis, but it's not just an aid
to patients and visitors. A rooftop garden also
helps regulate building temperature, providing an extra layer of
insulation while absorbing rainwater to reduce the strain on
overtaxed sewers..."
US homeless get green shelters and eco-friendly Detroit gym
USA Today, by Staff
January 20, 2010
Detroit, MI. "Not everyone gets to live in a green home,
but an increasing number of the U.S. homeless do -- temporarily,
at least, in shelters. Today in Detroit, the homeless can even
start working out in a green gym...This shelter has a
green roof, water-saving dual-flush toilets, 100 solar
panels, an interior courtyard with birch trees and a greenhouse
where residents can grow food..."
LA's Central Avenue gets its own City Hall
Los Angeles Times, by Scott Gold
January 19, 2010
Los Angeles, CA. "There are ice plants and clusters of
aloe on the roof, with views of the Hollywood sign in one
direction and the San Gabriel Mountains in another...The
one-acre complex, including a 1500-square-foot community center
and an adjoining, 7500-square-foot city services center -- and
the first 'green' roof on a municipal building in
L.A..."
Perth CBD now good enough to eat
G-Online, by Jessica Stone
January 19, 2010
Perth, Australia. "Perth residents have welcomed a new,
sustainably-designed addition to their inner CBD, with the
opening of the unique 'Greenhouse' bar...The exterior walls host
4,000 pots planted with cascading strawberries, and the
rooftop garden grows many many of the herbs, fruit and
vegetables that the European-style bar uses in its menu..."
Crowning glory
Malaysia Star, by Staff
January 19, 2010
Tokyo, Japan. "Standing on one of the streets of Tokyo,
visitors will be amazed by the soaring gleaming skyscrapers. But
if you were airborne, you will get a completely different view –
many of these high-rises are topped with plots of soothing
greenery. Tokyo has been sprouting green roofs,
alongside green walls, since the launch of its
10-year project for Green Tokyo in 2006..."
Storm over storm-water rules
Baltimore Sun Blog, by Tim Wheeler
January 18, 2010
Baltimore, MD. "New regulations intended to reduce
polluted storm-water runoff in Maryland have sparked a backlash
among developers and local officials, who contend the rules
undermine the state's Smart Growth policy by making it too
expensive to redevelop urban and older suburban areas...The new
rules discourage the now-common practice of collecting storm
runoff in ponds or underground tanks, in favor of letting the
rain soak into soil, whether on open ground or green roofs,
like the one shown above on a new elementary school in St.
Mary's County..."
Giant trellises will be grown on 18-story federal office
building in Portland
Los Angeles Times, by Tim Fought
January 16, 2010
Portland, OR. "They haven't figured out yet how to get
the pruning done, but architects and federal officials plan one
of the world's most extensive vertical gardens in
downtown Portland — what amounts to a series of 250-foot-tall
trellises designed to shade the west side of an 18-story office
building...More recently, green roofs have become
established as a way of providing insulation and controlling
stormwater runoff, among other benefits, and green walls
have begun to emerge as not only pleasing to the eye but also
part of highly efficient buildings..."
Roof gardens to have their time in the sun
Sydney Morning Herald, by Peter Ker
January 16, 2010
Australia. "...Dubbed the ''urban heat island'' effect,
the phenomenon is prompting action from experts around Melbourne
and the world - and much of the focus has turned to the tops of
our tallest buildings...Williams says both white and green
roofs shield buildings from solar radiation, but that
the vegetation on a green roof can also cool the
environment by evaporating water out of leaves...Green
roofs are operating on a number of levels, they have
storm water benefits which white roofs don't have..."
Green Walls Grow
GOOD.is blog, by Andrew Price
January 15, 2010
US. "If green roofs are too horizontal for
you, consider green walls...Green
Living Technologies LLC, of Rochester, N.Y., designed
the wall at PNC. Chief Executive
George Irwin said the company also has installed walls in
New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle...Green
walls have all the aforementioned environmental benefits
of green roofs. But, as the PNC example
highlights, for businesses they also have another very important
advantage over green roofs: You can easily
advertise that you have one."
California adopts first statewide green building code
Christian Science Monitor, by Daniel B. Wood
January 15, 2010
Los Angeles, CA. "...The California Building Standards
Commission voted unanimously this week to approve the first
statewide green building code. Taking effect
January 2011, the nation's first mandatory green building code –
dubbed “CalGreen” – lays out specific constraints for newly
constructed buildings...Some environmental groups including the
Sierra Club and the National Resources Defense Council were
critical of the two-tier “Calgreen" voluntary rating system
suggested by the new code. That would clash with the "LEED"
rating system, a voluntary green building label widely used
nationwide, and cause confusion among builders..."
From tar to tendrils
Chattanooga Times Free Press, by Tamara Best
January 15, 2010
Chattanooga, TN. "Roofs across Chattanooga continue to
receive 'green' makeovers with the number of green roofs
increasing. Now the Pioneer building, home to CapitalMark Bank &
Trust, has joined the list...The Pioneer project, funded by
greenspaces, used
LiveRoof, an already vegetated
system, which constructs its sedum trays from recycled plastic.
Sedum, a form of succulent vegetation, is often used for
green roofs..."
The green home which could save the planet
Portsmouth News, by Jeff Travis
January 14, 2010
Portsmouth, UK. "There's grass growing on the roof rather
than the garden - and it doesn't even need mowing...Solar panels
provide the hot water and the grass roof keeps the
building cool in the summer and maintains a constant heat in the
winter...The bungalows are among 125 eco-friendly homes to be
built across the Chichester area - many with grass roofs..."
From an idea to the tangible, green roofing gains momentum in
Somerville
Somerville News, by James Reddick
January 14, 2010
Somerville, MD. "...In what is largely a concrete jungle,
Somerville's residents, environmentalists and community leaders
are contemplating transforming its roofs into budding
ecosystems. The green roofs momentum has gone from
the initial, trial phase - marked by the St. Polycarp Village
roof installed this part summer - to a more comprehensive
discussion regarding policy..."
Green building gets LEED gold status
Central Florida Future, by Megan VanWaus
January 13, 2010
Orlando, FL. "UCF stayed true to its colors by earning
LEED gold status certification for the recently constructed
Physical Sciences I building...'This has been years of effort
lobbying with administration to get the LEED certification
going,' said Castro, who is also the president and co-founder of
Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions, a
student organization promoting environmental sustainability.
'This building has the first green roof to be
approved by the state at UCF..."
IDev Technologies opens Webster facility
Bizjournals.com, by Staff
January 13, 2010
Houston, TX. "IDev Technologies Inc. has opened the doors
to its new manufacturing facility in Webster....It has already
earned certification as a Gold Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design building, and features the largest “living
roof” in Texas. A living roof is roof of a
building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation
and soil."
The LEED Leaders
Data Center Knowledge, by Rich Miller
January 12, 2010
Frankfurt, Germany. "The Citi Data Center in Frankfurt
features a "green wall" featuring plants that are
irrigated with recycled water. This week Digital Realty Trust
confirmed that it is the first company to have two data centers
earn Platinum status, the highest rating possible under the LEED
( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program for
energy efficient buildings overseen by the US Green Building
Council..."
Expo roof gardens of China Pavilion
CCTV, by Staff
January 12, 2010
China. "Visitors to the Shanghai Expo can enjoy
roof gardens at the China Pavilion this May. The concept
comes from the Jiuzhou Scenic Area of Yuanmingyuan, or the Old
Summer Palace. The Scenic Area from the Qing Dynasty is believed
to be the concentration of half the culture of the dynasty.
Around the China pavilion, are provincial pavilions. They
represent the essential core cultures of each province. Now the
roofs will be equally marvelous. Roof gardens of
over 30 thousand square meters have been designed here. [Watch
a Video]"
'Good to Go' Centers Benefit from Tax Credits, Grants
PR Web, Press Release
January 12, 2010
Milwaukee, WI. "...More than 150 ‘Good to Go’
ECOnvenience Centers are targeted for future development; all
built to United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
standards...Infrastructure credits for construction established
by the USGBC for LEED certification include panelized
construction with Green Roof control of water
runoff, 100 percent LED energy-efficient lighting, use of
pervious concrete and rain garden installations minimizing storm
water runoff and recharging ground water at each Center site..."
Republicans are ready to say 'yes' in 2010
Pottstown Mercury, by Rep. Joe Pitts
January 12, 2010
Philadelphia, PA. "...individuals and companies across
the country are working to increase the energy efficiency of
their homes and offices. You may have read in the local paper
about companies installing new "green" roofs. A
green roof can be a big investment, but it pays off
over time. I'm one of the original sponsors of a bipartisan bill
that gives a tax break to businesses that install a green
roof, the
Green Roofing Efficiency Tax Act, H.R. 426. We have the
support of 31 Democrats and Republicans, and I hope that this
year we will see this bill signed into law..."
Tacoma Goodwill's garden wall is a new city icon
Seattle Times, by Valerie Easton
January 11, 2010
Tacoma, WA. "A new vertical garden at the
Goodwill-Milgard Work Opportunity Center in Tacoma features
about 100 different varieties of plants installed between layers
of felt and nourished by water. The garden wall, which measures
20 by 40 feet, is "a new iconic image" for the city, says
Matthew Erlich of Tacoma Goodwill..."
2010 Green Toronto Awards
HazMat Management Magazine, by Staff
January 11, 2010
Toronto, Canada. "Who’s the greenest of them all in
Toronto? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Green
Toronto Awards, the City of Toronto’s environmental awards of
excellence. The City of Toronto, in partnership with Green
Living, invites residents to nominate local individuals,
companies and organization is leading the way to a greener
Toronto...A winner in each of nine categories will receive an
award and $5,000 to donate to a registered charity of their
choice:...Green Roof — leadership in green
roof and living wall projects..."
Hulsey Center green roof gets results, draws attention
UAB News, by Staff
January 11, 2010
Montgomery, AL. "...UAB Facilities energy management
department was building UAB’s first green roof
atop the Hulsey Center Building, and the plants were being sent
here. Hurley contacted Energy Manager Matt Winslett to schedule
a time to visit and see the roof for herself. Now, ADEM is
interested in learning more about the green roof’s
benefits — and in promoting it throughout the state...Hurley and
ADEM are interested in learning more about the benefits of the
green roof to curb the amount of pollutants that
reach the storm sewer and ultimately flow to rivers, streams and
lakes..."
New biodiverse green roof will help fight climate change
Greenwise Business, by Staff
January 11, 2010
UK. "One of the UK’s leading turf specialists is
launching a new green mat for urban rooftops that will help UK
cities adapt to climate change and improve their biodiversity.
Lindum is launching the pre-grown vegetative mat as an
alternative to pure sedum blankets...Green roofs
that include wildflowers in the mix attract a wider range of
wildlife than pure sedum mixtures and offer high visual appeal
over a long season...Lindum is set to launch its ‘Biodiverse
Green Roof Mat’ at
Ecobuild 2010, which takes place at London’s Earls Court
from March 2 to 4."
Capital's rooftops to go green under GAM initiative
Jordan Times, by Staff
January 11, 2010
Amman, Jordan. "Thousand of rooftops in Amman will be
planted under a three-year programme designed to increase the
green cover and beautify the capital...The project, implemented
by the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and financed by the
World Bank, is already under way, with the initial phase having
seen the planting of gardens on rooftops around
the Citadel in the heart of the capital..."
2009 AIA Greenville Design Awards Recipients
AIA Greenville, by Staff
January 10, 2010
Greenville, SC. "Every other year, the Greenville section
of the American Institute of Architects recognizes a diverse
group of building projects for excellence in architectural
design during their Biennial Design Awards Program...Merit
Award: DesignStrategies, LLC, Patewood Memorial Hospital,
Greenville, South Carolina. The Architect designed the facility
as a two story diagnostic and treatment building with a
“green” roof, and a four level patient room tower..."
KU awarded stimulus funds for engineering
Lawrence Journal World, by Mark Fagan
January 9, 2010
Lawrence, KS. "...the project would receive $12.3 million
and be completed by spring 2012. KU will be responsible for
coming up with $6.5 million...The building itself will
incorporate sustainable features, including reflected sunlight
for illumination, solar shades for temperature control and a
“green” roof to capture carbon and provide
insulation. The federal money is part of the more than $123
million in awards to 11 public universities and nonprofit
research organizations announced Friday by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, which is part of the U.S.
Department of Commerce."
Coast Guard HQ at St. Elizabeths gets full speed ahead
FederalNewsRadio.com, by Max Cacas
January 8, 2010
DC. "...the design itself is extraordinary, it's
mind-blowing in terms of how progressive it is, how eco-friendly
it is, the acres on acres of green roofs, and
other environmentally friendly features...The commission also
approved plans for a large car parking garage adjacent to the
Coast Guard complex, which is also being built with a
"green" roof and special architectural landscaping to
minimize the impact of such a large structure on the site..."
RDH Architects aims to elevate design of utilitarian municipal
building
Daily Commercial News, by Patricia Williams
January 8, 2010
Newmarket, Canada. "...A landscaped extension of the
building's green roof provides an additional
visual barrier creating the illusion, when viewed from the
north, of two distinct structures...LEED Silver is being
targeted. Green strategies include a geothermal heating and
cooling system, solar hot-water heating, stormwater collection
for irrigation in addition to the green roof, day
lighting and natural ventilation..."
St. Paul's newest fire station has red doors and a sheen of
green
Minneapolis Star Tribune, by Anthony Lonetree
January 7, 2010
St. Paul, MN. "...The combined fire station and
headquarters facility was designed to include energy-efficient
features throughout, including a green roof that
will be open to West End community use...But it is the
green roof that will be the 'big environmental feature,'
said Anne Hunt, environmental policy director for Mayor Chris
Coleman..."
Penn State exhibit at state Farm Show dripping with information
Penn State Live, by Staff
January 7, 2010
Harrisburg, PA. "The many faces of Penn State's College
of Agricultural Sciences will be evident at the
2010 Pennsylvania Farm
Show...Penn State is at the forefront of greenroof
research and implementation, with green roofs on a
number of campus buildings. Researchers in the college have been
studying green roofs for more than a decade...Penn
State was the first institution to offer a class in which
students design and construct green roofs and
living walls on real structures..."
Build your own eco-shed
Telegraph.co.uk, by Jean Vernon
January 7, 2010
UK. "Jean Vernon explains how to make your own green
garden building with minimal outlay...Normal sheds are not
strong enough to support a green roof. They need
strengthening or altering to take the weight. A sedum roof
is extremely heavy and if the roof shifts over time it can even
break the glass in the windows. One solution is to place the
shed under a separate green roof canopy..."
Nutter's Next Great City is being built
It's Our City Blog, by Christine Knapp
January 6, 2010
Philadelphia, PA. "In April 2009, Philadelphia Mayor
Michael Nutter released a plan called Greenworks. It is his
administration’s vision of how to make Philadelphia the greenest
city in the nation...The Philadelphia Water Department continues
to be one of the best, and most forwarding thinking in the
country. First, storm water fees from commercial properties will
now incentivize best practices like green roofs or
porous pavement..."
Living Walls May Be the Ultimate Raised-Bed Garden
New York Times, by Dean Fosdick
January 6, 2010
US. "Things are looking up for gardeners who are short on
space but long on imagination. It's increasingly easy to build
vertical gardens, structures that enable plants to grow upward
if there is no room for growing them laterally....'Holding water
on a flat roof isn't difficult, but turning it 90 degrees on a
wall is tremendously tricky,' said
Edmund Snodgrass of Street, Md., an author and operator of a
nursery dedicated to producing green roof
plants..."
Green roofs are the way to go
Pocono Record, by Gilman Ouellette
January 6, 2010
US. "The green movement today is as controversial as
ever. Its proponents urge change, citing the ethical
implications of our lifestyles, while their opponents cite a
lack of financial viability in 'going green.' But
by taking the movement off the ground — literally — we can find
options to satisfy both groups...The nascent technology of 'green
roofs' offers the perfect means of reusing the developed
space in the area..."
AMCOL International Headquarters Awarded Silver Certification by
the US Green Building Council
CNNMoney.com, Press Release
January 6, 2010
Hoffman Estates, IL. "MCOL International Corporation
(NYSE: ACO) today announced the U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC) has awarded their new headquarters building, located in
Hoffman Estates, Illinois, the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED®) NC Silver certification...The
exterior of the building includes a native landscape design,
using bioswales and rain gardens to provide natural filtration
and treatment of rainwater. The two native planted green
roofs showcase
CETCO GreenScapes® components, which are part of AMCOL's
environmental segment and do not require any irrigation..."
Funding Approved For Catoctin Creek Nature Center
Your4State.com, by Jackie Cutler
January 5, 2010
Frederick, MD. "The Frederick County Catoctin Creek
Nature Center hacs been given the green light. On Monday,
Senator Ben Cardin announced that 2.7 million dollars in
stimulus funding would go towards the project. The Nature Center
would help preserve the Catoctin Creek watershed and would help
educate visitors. The center will house the first green
roof to be built in the county..."
Physalia – A positive energy amphibious garden to clean European
waterways
Ecofriend, by Staff
January 5, 2010
Europe. "...The zero carbon emission architecture is
designed to harvest renewable energy to make the prototype a
positive energy one, where it can generate more energy that it
consumes...is crossed in its double hull by a hydraulic network
that enables to filter the fluvial water and to purify it
biologically by the systems planted roof..."
Living roofs rise in popularity
Marketplace, by Kevin Maki
January 4, 2010
Missoula, MT. "Green can be found everywhere these days,
even on rooftops. Some farmers are responding and moving their
crops skyward...Lengacher contracted with a company called
XeroFlor to sell his
living roof. Over the past eight years, the company has
put up nearly 50 of them across the country..."
Going Green: Energy Efficiency through Lighting and More - an
Industrial Example to the Home Market
HiddenWires, by Stephen Calder
January 4, 2010
Belgium. "...In order to reduce the company's carbon
footprint, significant investment was made in solar energy
production and rainwater harvesting, using the latest
grass roofing technology...a grass roof
has been planted outside the top-storey meeting rooms and
hospitality areas. This not only provides a pleasant view, by
using a system of filters and reservoirs it provides efficient
temperature control of the building..."
Brand new in Boston
Boston Herald, by Paul Restuccia
January 4, 2010
Boston, MA. "Boston architecture broke out of its
conservatism in the past decade with many outstanding and
innovative buildings that have garnered national attention...Its
stepped-back pyramid form and layered landscaped roof
has inset decks for great views and its sustainable materials,
such as zebra wood, made for distinctive interiors..."
Local food for sustainable communities
ScienceAlert, by Rachel Sullivan
January 4, 2010
Australia. "Bringing food production much closer to home
makes sense. As our population becomes more urbanised, the
environmental and financial impacts of transporting produce to
our suburbs have risen...But can food forests, green roofs,
backyard veggie patches and community gardens realistically feed
the tens of millions predicted to live in the cities of the near
future?...Rooftop gardens are appearing in Japan
and the USA, notably Chicago and New York..."
Green house takes on a whole new meaning in eco-friendly
projects
Canada.com, by Marianne White
January 2, 2010
Quebec, Canada. "The $300-million, 800-housing units
green neighborhood, located close to the downtown in Quebec
City, will feature a thermal heating system using wood waste,
green roofs, solar panels, stormwater recuperation
and sustainable design...In addition, a basin will capture and
recycle stormwater to irrigate green spaces and there will be
green roofs, solar panels and LED street lamps..."
Improving Health through Community Design
Williams Lake Tribune, by Laine Kuyer
January 1, 2010
BC, Canada. "...It is becoming more widely recognized
that aspects of the “built environment” – that is, the places
and spaces created or modified by people, including buildings,
parks and transportation systems — impact our food choices every
day...Land use planning can help establish new grocery stores
and farmers’ markets and can help integrate agriculture into our
built environment in the form of community and school gardens or
rooftop gardens in underserved areas..."
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