On a hot day like today, I am reminded about how beneficial a vegetated roof space is for a building and a town. As you can see in the picture below (our Charlottesville office), the roof space has shade, is protected from UV, and is an amenity to the building. The other benefits cannot be seen, but they are also there. The plantings and the paving stones add a layer of insulation above the roof membrane. This is effectively a second layer of insulation and energy efficiency for the spaces below that protects the roof making it last longer. The shade cast by the plants furthers this protection. It is also a rain water filter for the water falling from the upper roof and the water falling directly on this area of roof, which protects the streams in the area by filtering out pollutants. The idea of a planted roof instead of a hot black membrane roof not only sounds cool, it is cooling. The space outside of these office windows could have been incredibly hot reflecting that heat onto the windows. Instead, the light colors are reflecting light into the office reducing the need for overhead lights on most days while not absorbing the heat. While a vegetated roof is not right for every building, the energy efficiency benefits and storm water management benefits add value to the building and the community. Simple measures during design phase can add value to a building, reduce monthly energy bills, and create a more livable community.
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