Thesis Defense Presentation

Green Roof Design: The Landscape Architecture of Intensive Green Roofs in Urban Settings
By: Delesia Hill

Introduction
Thesis focus
"Intensive" green roof garden designs
Influence on Architecture
Vegetable Farming
Green roofs connecting to community gardens

Problem Questions / Observations
Can the design of the garden help feed people?
Could there be direct access from ground level community gardens to roof top vegetable gardens?
Will an intensive vegetable roof garden design necessarily manipulate the architecture of the building?
Does the height, access issues, and material transport concerns of a rooftop garden change people’s psychological perception of the value of the garden to them?
Acros Fukuoka Building in Japan

How can landscape architects (or architects) address the problem/observation?
Be cautious to the context of their green roof designs.
Learn that not all methods of planting, rowing, and cropping can be done the same way when placed on roof top.
Establish Design Guidelines to frame their design intent with limitations.
ASLA Headquarters in WA, D.C Green Roof Axon

Literature Review
Extensive vs. Intensive
Green Roof Benefits
Vegetable farming methods on a green roof
Technical Considerations
Weight loads of intensive green roofs
Environmental considerations for intensive green roofs
ASLA Headquarters

Extensive vs. Intensive Green Roofs
Source: FLL (Forschungsgesellscharft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau e.v.) Guideline for the planning, execution and upkeep of green roof sites, released in 2002.

Green Roof Benefits
Reduces volumes of storm water runoff
Delays storm water runoff
Increases lifespan of roofing membranes
Conserves energy
Increases biodiversity and possibly provide habitats
Improve aesthetic value
Mitigation of air pollution
Noise reduction
LEED Certified
Source: BCIT Centre for Architectural Ecology, 2006

Vegetable farming methods on a green roof
Square Foot Gardening
Containers

Technical Considerations of intensive vegetable roof top gardens
Vegetation Substrate Structure
Garden Efficiency
Environment
Wildlife
Weather

Weight loads of intensive green roofs
Soil
Water
Snow
Plant Material
People
Wildlife
Storage & Mechanical Units

Environmental Considerations for Intensive Green Roofs
Wildlife Desirables
Wildlife Un-Desirables
Weather Conditions

Methodology
Qualitative research methods are utilized to interpolate and analyze the collected data.
In Depth Case Studies that explore new green roof design technology.
Intensive interviews with key informants in the fields of landscape architectural design, green roof design, and vegetable gardening.

Case Studies of how landscape architects (or architects) have already engaged the problem/observation
Trent University Environmental and Resource Sciences Vegetable Garden in Petersburg, Canada
Center for Urban Agriculture in Seattle, WA
Carrabas Italian Grill in St. Petersburg, FL

Results Facts from Research & Interviews

Interview Results Chart

Interview Results Chart Continue

Design Oriented Results
Design Oriented Results Short List
Rat Prevention
Safety Issues
View of garden from inside
Storm water management
Irrigation System
Cistern application
Wind blocker structure
Weight Distribution

Non-Design Oriented Results
Non-Design Oriented Results Short List
Severe Environmental Elements
Food Production & Distribution
Psychological Benefits
Pedestrian Accessibility
Material Transport Concern

Professional Results
Professional Results Short List
No Landscape Architects involved with any of the case study projects.
Architects designed the green roofs.
Nurseries came up with planting designs.
Engineer handle weight distribution.
Understanding local climate.

Results/Findings: Design Guidelines
Conduct a site Analysis
Apply storm water management/ Irrigation systems
Use methods for pest control
Provide public pedestrian access
Use Square foot garden methods
Addressing pedestrian safety
Provide views to garden
Create a wind blocker system
Must have a reason for having edible plants
Design Objectives/Programs

Design Guidelines
Conduct a site Analysis
“A solid understanding of the local climate, natural variability and growing season is critical. This can be left to the individual farmers or can be incorporated into the educational and site specific project elements” (CUA Designer, 2009).
“Some of the major constraints to rooftop farming are site specific – increased load (including live load of people actively using the rooftop space), water penetration and storage issues and infrastructure for transporting goods to and from the roof. None of these are unique to rooftop farming and are easily overcome. It’s a bit more challenging in existing buildings, but again, not impossible” (CUA Designer, 2009).

Design Guidelines
Apply storm water management/ Irrigation systems
~Recycled & Purifying Water Systems
“Storm water management in order to retain as much water on the roof. Target level 80 %”( CF Professor, 2009).
“Make sure water flow to the cistern is successful in order to use for the irrigation on the roof” (CF Professor, 2009).
“Irrigation source of water in order to keep the plants alive” (CF Professor, 2009).
“Someone forgot to put irrigation on the roof and the plants die, so just supplying water” (CF Professor, 2009).
“I believe it could work with a proper drip system” (Landscape Designer, 2009).

Design Guidelines
Use methods for pest control
“The ozone is an issue. Large mice, and birds are recent problems and we are trying to figure out what to do about this problem as we speak” (Trent U professor, 2009).
“Pesticide in native plants you don’t use much pesticides or herbicides. It’s just a lot of consideration I think a landscape architect would be very familiar with” (CF Professor, 2009).
“Birds can eat the food because it’s an open and high level resource” (Landscape Designer, 2009).
“Wildlife is an issue that’s handled appropriately in many urban and rural farm settings (to say nothing of green roofs) and given the right education and stewardship can be controlled in a non-invasive, healthy way” (CUA Designer, 2009).
“Some wildlife is encouraged. Not all wildlife”(Trent U professor, 2009).

Design Guidelines
4. Provide public pedestrian access
“There has been quite a bit of research looking at the positive benefits of gardening on people’s health and well-being. Providing a space for this in our urban environments helps bring people together, connects them with nature and provides an opportunity to better understand our food systems” (CUA Designer, 2009).
“There will be access issues in many locations, but if community gardens are part of the original design intent, many of these challenges become opportunities” (CUA Designer, 2009).
“People are interested in what you can do with the roof garden. Want to see how successful and attractive it is” (Trent U professor, 2009).

Design Guidelines
5. Use Square foot garden methods
“The medium can not be very high in organic because the organic takes away, and your left with lesser depth of roof support” (CF Professor, 2009).
“Very long growing seasons does require a seasonal shifting of plant types, but done properly, can result in a very healthy poly-culture” (CUA Designer, 2009).
“Containers are good, but you have to make sure that the containers provide the right size and depth for the appropriate plant material” (Trent U professor, 2009).
“Providing space for active composting and soil building needs to be a core part of the project design” (CUA Designer, 2009).

Design Guidelines
Addressing pedestrian safety
“Obstacles that came across with regard to plant selection and care were Safety considerations and the roof settling” (Landscape Designer, 2009).
“Perhaps height, access issues, and material transport concerns of a rooftop garden change people’s psychological perception of the value of the garden to them, but that probably depends on what people want out of the garden” (CUA Designer, 2009).
“The only way to get to the roof is through maintenance” (Landscape Designer, 2009).

Design Guidelines
Provide views to garden
~Health benefits are established from design
“People would rather look at a roof with plants on it than no plants” (CF Professor, 2009).
“Psychologically I think it helps if you’re looking at a green roof rather than an old membrane. I find it more pleasing to look at a roof which is colorful and green rather than drab and dark with electrical equipment all over the place. I would certainly feel more calm or peaceful” (CF Professor, 2009).
“My office overlooks the garden” (Trent U professor, 2009).

Design Guidelines
8. Create a wind blocker system
“Weather conditions are more extreme on a roof. Vegetables take a lot more care” (Landscape Designer, 2009).

Design Guidelines
9. Must have a reason for having edible plants
“You have to have a need for the vegetables” (CF Professor, 2009).
“Vegetables or edible plants are good plants for rooftop gardens particularly if they can be coupled with other community supporting elements such as farmers markets, CSA drop-off spots, and educational amenities. Ideally, rooftop farming should be designed to address the three major goals listed above – control and make positive use of storm water, reduce building energy use and reduce urban heat temperatures – but also provide a place for people” (CUA Designer, 2009).

Design Guidelines
10. Design Objectives/Programs
Any good design is planned ahead of time. Depending on the concept of the design you should have organized design objectives so that the design can reach all the concept goals. By doing this programs in the design will occur. Programs like a storage closet. A storage closet is just a good program to consider in the design dealing with high maintenance crops.

Design Application Objectives
Use guidelines to design a vegetable roof top garden.
Manipulating existing architecture with garden design.
Connecting the green roof with a community park, and educational facility.

Program
Square foot garden (Raised beds)
Water Irrigation System
Storm water system
Cistern
Storage closet
ADA Accessibility (Ramp)
Stairs/Elevator
Seating areas
Lilly pad pond
Vegetables
Snap Beans
Cabbage
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Sweet Corn

Design Application

Conclusions
Design Guidelines
Vegetable Farming
Green roofs connecting to community gardens
"Intensive" green roof garden designs
Influence on Architecture

Implications for further research
Natural Communities
Psychological Effect
Roof top Community Gardens

Thank You
Any Questions/Comments?

Thesis Defense Presentation

by Delesia Hill on Mar 19, 2010

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