Metropolis Magazine: Roofs Paved with Green
Roofs Paved with Green
Now that past Next Generation winner Joe Hagerman has teamed up with Rafael Viñoly Architects, students in the Bronx are reaping the benefits.
By Rebecca Cavanaugh
The Gaia Institute is supplying GaiaSoil as well as consulting on plant selection, stormwater capture, scientific research methods, and curriculum development for the 3,600 high school students on the Stevenson campus.
FYI, There's a line in the article: Still, landscape architect and green-roof expert Diana Balmori worries that the simplified system does not have a water-retention mat or cups. "They serve as a reservoir for time-released irrigation while also shedding storm overflow," she says.
Balmori's concern can be easily addressed: GaiaSoil retains significantly more water than other growing media, keeping the plants hydrated longer (using stormwater and potentially greywater.) GaiaSoil also captures significantly more stormwater than a water-retention mat or cup would. The mats and/or cups may have little dynamic interaction with plant growth and development anyhow. No green roof system is perfect, but we are aiming high!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
