The Read Building is a mixed-use, four story, 37,500 sq. ft. recently completed building in the heart of Falls Church, Virginia. It houses a PNC Bank, Vantage Health and Fitness and 26 residential unit apartments, nine of which are Teacher Workforce Units (TWU’s). Although the building is not LEED certified, it was spotlighted in the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce newsletter for its green components.

The green roof was installed over top of a waterproof coating installed from contractor. Three layers of Styrofoam insulation were added then covered by EnviroTech GR RB Filter Fabric, EnviroTech GR Retain/Drain Fabric, soil and plants. The EnviroTech GR RB Filter Fabric is a geo-textile fabric that incorporates the root barrier. The EnviroTech GR Retain/Drain Fabric serves two purposes. It provides a reservoir of water that can be used by the plants, and also acts as the drainage layer. The engineered soil – expanded shale and organic compost blend – was spread evenly to roughly 4″ in depth across the fabrics and then the sedum plants were planted.