by Juli MacDonald

This month, I met with a friend to discuss the fit-out of a relatively non-descript office space. What the space lacks in amenities, it makes up for in potential, with planned windows opening to views of historic Newburyport in one direction and an expanse of marshland in the other. Adjacent to this space is a large flat roof that is nearly at the same height as the office’s floor -a great opportunity for a roof garden or a green roof.

Green roofs, also called living or planted roofs, are systems of living plants and vegetation installed on an existing or new structure. Popular in Europe for decades, the technology has seen continued improvement, making green roofs available in and appropriate for nearly all climates and areas of the United States, even in New England!

I relocated to the east coast from Chicago in 2002, just as the greening of the city was taking off. The then and still-reigning king of Chicago, Mayor Daley, was inspired by a trip to Germany in the late 90’s. The rest is Chicago green building (and green roof) history – In 2001, the first green roof in Chicago was installed on City Hall. Mayor Daley and the city’s efforts have been successful through mandates and incentives for green roofs and other green building features on public buildings and new developments that receive money from the city. Chicago now boasts more than 600 green roofs, or 560,000sf of green roof – my favorite view over martinis from the Signature Room in the Hancock Tower will never be the same!

As part of my research for this project, I sought local experts. Through Roofscapes, a green roofing product manufacturer, I made contact with two Massachusetts local green roof design/builders: Apex Green Roofs in Somerville and Earth Our Only Home in Boston. Both have vast experience in the construction of public/commercial and residential green roofs. Their websites offer loads of information about green roofs and photos of their work - we're happy to have them as local resources...

To read the entire blog and for more of Juli MacDonald's excellent stories, check out her blog here!