Look up
The hills are alive with lush greenery — but so are many rooftops. Green or living rooftops, long popular in Europe, are becoming common with both private and business owners alike. The green roof industry grew by as much as 28 percent in 2010. Why? Green rooftops, which are relatively thin layers of greenery affixed to a roof, can act as effective insulators, thus reducing energy costs. They also last longer and can absorb stormwater, acting as valuable drainage systems. Green rooftops can provide a pleasant escape for inhabitants of an urban jungle. This photo features the Mountain Equipment Coop, a popular outdoor equipment store in Toronto. Who knew a meadow could appear on a skyline? (Text: Katherine Butler)
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Comments
What a great picture. Comments above are somewhat misguided. Green roofs do the following: - increase lifespan, filter water and air pollution, stabilise building temperature, cool roof, create habitat, etc etc.
Yes there are poor installations by bad contractors, but they are hardly 'enviro-lunancy' when you look at the full economics
Bizarre industry. Rule #1 plants take water. Rule #2 water on roofs or in buildings leaks. If not now, later. Rule #3, plants attract bugs. Rule #4, bugs don't stay in gardens. So what has been made is a mess. Reminds me of the huge indoor pond, bronze fish and bronze bear in the central lobby of the CA State Building in downtown Los Angeles. The pool is empty. Why? It was leaking into the underground garage underneath. Oops. More water, more mess, more maintenance.
I'm a roofer who has had to deal with these types of roofs and they are insanely expensive, hard to keep up, and end up being more of a trouble than they are worth. Another example of short sighted enviro-lunacy.
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