The Windsor Terrace Library, located in Brooklyn, N.Y., has taken 7,000 sf of previously unused space on its roof and turned it into a green, living roof. The new green roof brings additional habitat space for animals and also provides energy efficiency, improved air quality, and stormwater management.
The new roof reduces runoff by as much as 50%, which limits the amount of rainwater released during storms and lowers the combined sewer overflow. The soil and plant layers act as insulation and increase the energy efficiency for the library while also removing carbon dioxide from the air and reducing the urban heat island effect.
Shrubs, perennial groundcovers, and ornamental grasses were planted on the roof, including sedum, witch hazel, butterfly weed, and Carolina rose. The green roof was proposed by local residents and selected for $250,000 in funding through the participatory budget process in the 39th Council District. This process allows New Yorkers to decide how City capital dollars are spent in their neighborhoods.
The New York City Department of Design and Construction installed the roof.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 10, 2016
New sustainable landscape development and management credential launched
GBCI offered the first testing opportunity Oct. 3 at Greenbuild
Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2016
Obama administration will spend $80 million for smart cities initiatives
The technology is targeted for climate, transportation, resiliency.
Lighting | Oct 6, 2016
Healthcare systems lighting their way to savings
There has been a rapid improvement and availability of LED products as primary light sources in most healthcare facility applications.
Green | Oct 6, 2016
AIA Report: Mixed results in design projects meeting 2030 Commitment targets
More buildings are meeting certain goals, but energy intensity reduction results have flat lined
Green | Oct 6, 2016
GBCI announces arc, a new technology organization to measure and compare green building performance
Arc is a platform that will allow any building to participate and immediately start measuring performance, make improvements, and benchmark against itself.
Green | Oct 4, 2016
The Clear Orb is one of the shortlisted projects for 2016 Land Art Generator Initiative
Designed by Heerim Architects & Planners, The Clear Orb would produce just under 600 million gallons of clean water annually.
Sustainability | Oct 4, 2016
One World Trade Center officially awarded LEED Gold certification
The skyscraper received the certification despite a setback caused by Hurricane Sandy.
Industry Research | Oct 3, 2016
Structure Tone survey shows cost is still a major barrier to building green
Climate change, resilience and wellness are also growing concerns.
Sustainability | Oct 3, 2016
Gensler-designed auto dealership to become world’s first to reach net zero
Toyota of Corvallis has also joined a few other Toyota dealerships around the country to achieve LEED Platinum certification.
Sponsored | University Buildings | Oct 3, 2016
Enhancing university life: The smart shower bead
Residential spaces that need to meet high traffic demands while accommodating an ever-changing populace creates a unique set of obstacles for any educational institution’s housing.