Hot off the desk of Kevin "The Green Man" Songer at Avid Group, we have photos and a journal entry on our green roof progress:
"Attached is a pic of a couple of the green roof panels I am working on as part of the BGCC project – they are a work in progress. The plants will grow much bigger – I am using an Allium that flowers white, a Lippa with smaller white flowers and several red/yellow flowering sedum on these panels…..
These are extremely light weight-drought/cold/heat resilient with a low profile – extensive horizontal root system, evergreen and can be cut to fit design. The ground granite/coconut fiber base system with tackifier and water absorbation/slow release fertilizer imbedded in the ENKAMAT is really cool – you can stand the sheets up vertically in a downpour and there is little, if any erosion."
These are extremely light weight-drought/cold/heat resilient with a low profile – extensive horizontal root system, evergreen and can be cut to fit design. The ground granite/coconut fiber base system with tackifier and water absorbation/slow release fertilizer imbedded in the ENKAMAT is really cool – you can stand the sheets up vertically in a downpour and there is little, if any erosion."
We are, of course, incredibly excited!
Also from Kevin, an update on his living walls profiled here two months ago:
According to him, they are still green, growing, and beautiful after two months without irrigation.
We are also working with the Mark Clark, Assistant Professor at the University of Florida's Department of Soil and Water Science, to study the roof and its properties. They monitor a number of green roof projects throughout Florida to determine stormwater runoff, fertilizer issues, growth, and roof quality. We also hope to learn from their experiences to make our roof truly sustainable. For example, what can we plant to ensure that the water runoff isn't filled with fertilizers? What good are we doing if the excess water runoff is contaminating the river? It's all about the synergy.
Thanks again, Kevin, for your commitment to this project. We're glad to have the Renaissance "Green" Man working with us to make this happen.
2 comments:
What about water absorption through the panels? any damage
Kevin and Ellen...sorry it has been so long since I checked in! The test panels are looking great and I look forward to the end result. I would love to look at the use of a living wall with a series of pipes or tubing (recycled of course) that will allow the roof run-off to filter down the living wall. The goal is by the time it gets to the end there is no more water to run-off and nothing form the roof reaches the ground. The extra benefit is that the living wall gets "fed". I saw a great model for this on a special regarding the Solar Decathlon sponsored by the DOE. I shared the link with Ellen and I know she will be sharing it on the blog soon. Keep a look out!
Post a Comment